A Red Seaweed from Eastern Sicily: Chondracanthus Tedeei, called “Màuru”

Abstract

Much of the research conducted in recent decades has involved the identification of alternative foods capable of filling the growing demand for proteins and reducing the phenomenon of greenhouse gases, also thanks to their content of antimethanigenic substances. For this reason, many researchers have focused their attention on algae in general and red algae in particular. This note reports the results of the analyzes carried out on the red macroalga Chondracanthus tedeei, widespread in a restricted area of eastern Sicily, where it is known by the dialectal name of “Màuru”, to highlight its main bromatological characteristics. The results obtained show a good carbohydrate and protein content and a high ash content (39.46, 38.3 and 20.68%, respectively) on dry matter (DM) basin. The protein is of good value for having a percentage content of essential amino acids, similar to that of egg; the ashes have an optimal sodium and potassium content (~ 1: 1) and a high iodine content. Although the results obtained are comparable to those found in other red algae, of the same species and of other species, further investigations would be desirable, both to highlight any seasonal and / or environmental variability, and to determine the content in other interesting bioactive substances, such as, for example, fatty acids, antimethanigenic substances, heavy metals.