Evaluation of seagrasses for their nutritional value

Abstract

Biochemical and calorific contents of different species of seagrasses occurring in Palk Bay were determined: <i style="">Enhalus acoroides</i> (68.82 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Halophila beccarii</i> (29.16 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Halophila ovalis</i> (24.08 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Cymodocea rotundata</i> (60.62 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Cymodocea serrulata</i> (43.40 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Halodule uninervis</i> (40.15 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Halodule pinifolia</i> (28.39 K cal g^-1) and <i style="">Syringodium isoetifolium</i> (38.38 K cal g^-1) of leaves and in rhizome <i style="">Enhalus acoroides</i> (77.84 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Halophila beccarii</i> (38.84 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Halophila ovalis</i> (37.03 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Cymodocea rotundata</i> (63.68 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Cymodocea serrulata</i> (37.33 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Halodule uninervis</i> (28.39 K cal g^-1), <i style="">Halodule pinifolia</i> (28.23 K cal g^-1) and <i style="">Syringodium isoetifolium</i> (30.48 K cal g^-1). Calorific contents of seagrasses were equivalent to Bengal gram, Peas, Potato and Sweet potatoes.&nbsp; Present study suggests that the seagrasses could be considered as feed/food.