International Aquatic Research, cilt.14, sa.2, ss.117-125, 2022 (ESCI)
Algae biomass could be one of the most important economic values in near future. For this reason, we determined the biochemical compositions and molecular weight profiles (MWPs) of eight macroalgae; Green Algae (Codium fragile, Ulva intestinalis, Chaetomorpha linum, and Codium bursa), Red Algae Ellisolandia elongata, Jania rubens, and Amphiroa rigida), Brown Algae (Padina pavonica) collected from different regions in Turkey. The differences measured between biochemical compositions such as ash, lipid, and protein of macroalgae species were statistically significant (P<0.05). The lowest and highest ash, lipid, and protein values of eight macroalgae tested were 30.599 ± 2.739 % (Ulva intestinalis)-81.231 ± 0.527 % (Amphiroa rigida), 0.190 ± 0.063 % (Ellisolandia elongata)-1.764 ± 0.090 % (Chaetomorpha linum), and 2.057 ± 0.093 (Amphiroa rigida)-15.280 ± 0.621 (Chaetomorpha linum). The highest levels of MWP of macroalgae tested were determined in 2532 Da ≥. The lowest levels of MWP belonging to the macroalgae was observed in 2532-13000 Da except for Ulva intestinalis and Padina pavonica belonging to 67000 Da ≤. The values observed 2532 Da ≥ were similar to each other except for Ulva intestinalis. The 13700 – 67000 Da and 2532-13000 Da levels belonging to Ulva intestinalis were higher than those of other tested macroalgae. However, level of Ulva intestinalis (67000 Da ≤) was lower than those of tested macroalgae species, followed by Padina pavonica. In conclusion, biochemical compositions of tested macroalgae can make important contributions to feed formulations and functional foods. In addition, based on our biochemical composition analysis the specific macroalgae species are the most promising algal content for use in different industrial areas such as cosmetics, drugs, and functional foods.