Mineral composition of some selected brown seaweeds from Mandapam region of Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Mineral content was determined in different brown seaweeds (Sargassum wightii, Padina tetrastromatica, Chnoospora minima, Hormophysa triquetra, Sargassum myriocystum, Sargassum plagiophyllum and Sargassum ilicifolium), collected from Mandapam region (Gulf of Mannar), Southeast coast of India. The ash content of different seaweeds ranged from 15 % to 20.5 %. The ash values were significantly different among the seaweeds (P˂ 0.05). The selected brown seaweeds contained both macro elements (0.77-564.5 mg/100g; Na, K, Ca, Mg) and trace elements (0.1-4.83 mg/100g; Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu). The present study was carried out in some of the underutilized brown seaweeds and it was concluded that the selected species can be used as feed additives in future.