Biochemical and mineral compositions of six brown seaweeds collected from Red Sea at Hurghada Coast

Abstract

The biochemical and mineral compositions of six brown seaweeds collected during spring season from Red Sea at Hurghada coast were determined to evaluate their significance in animal nutrition. The results suggested that the highest ash and protein contents were recorded in <em>Padina gymnospora </em>(45.48%) and <em>Sargassum muticum </em>(5.31%), respectively. The carbohydrates content was > 24.0% in the studied seaweeds, while the fat content ranged from 0.11 to 0.27%, and the essential amino acids formed 38.13-42.34% of the total amino acids. Both <em>Padina gymnospora </em>and<em> Turbinaria sp.</em> had the majority of measured phenolic compounds. Also, the studied seaweed species were rich in vitamin B₂(> 105.0 ppm), except<em> Sargassum aspirofolium</em>. The highest/lowest vitamin C content existed in <em>Sargassum muticum</em> (11.76 ppm) and <em>Sargassum aspirofolium</em> (3.96 ppm), respectively. Moreover, the tested seaweeds exhibited high amounts of essential minerals. Therefore, Red Sea brown seaweeds are good food sources for animal nutrition.