Biochemical constituents of marine algae from Tuticorin coast

Abstract

Biochemical constituents such as protein, carbohydrate and amino acid were estimated in 21 species of marine algae belonging to three classes collected at monthly intervals for a period of 1 year from the Tuticorin coast to assess the nutritive value. The selected algae showed species specific and seasonal variations in their biochemical constituents. Chlorophyceae and Rhodophyceae members were rich in protein and carbohydrate compared to Phaeophyceae. Amino acid content was more or less the same in all the 3 classes of algae (maximum average value 2.5%). Many of the algal members showed maximum protein content in November and maximum carbohydrate and amino acid contents in September.