Nutritional potential of four seaweed species collected in the Barbate estuary (Gulf of Cadiz, Spain).

Abstract

The Gulf of Cádiz has great socio-economic importance given its high fishing activity and high diversity andabundance of marine resources including a wide variety of seaweeds not used as food. Four macro-algae (Ulvaspp., Codium spp., Halymenia floresia and Saccorhiza polyschides) collected in the Gulf of Cádiz near the Barbateestuary were analyzed for moisture, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, ash, dietary fiber, caloric content, minerals,amino acids and fatty acids. The algae showed variations in all of the parameters analyzed. However, highconcentrations of lipids and macro and micro-minerals and low concentrations of fiber and carbohydrates wererelated to the salinity, water temperature and nitrate contents of the collection areas. All four species had a highnutritional value, and these macro-algae have great potential for human consumption.