Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Different Brown and Red Spanish Edible Seaweeds

Abstract

This article reports a study of the nutritional composition, total dietary fiber (TDF), mineral contents, fatty acid and amino acid profiles, polyphenolic concentration and antioxidant activity of three Spanish seaweeds: two brown seaweeds (Himanthalia elongata and Undaria pinnatifida) and one red (Porphyra umbilicalis). TDF and ash were the most abundant components in the brown seaweeds, while TDF and protein were the main components in the red one. In all seaweeds, the lipid contents were very low but the polyunsaturated fatty acid contents were high. Although the red seaweed contained significantly (p < 0.05) more protein content than the brown ones, all three contained all the essential amino acids at levels comparable to FAO/WHO requirements. The brown seaweeds contained significantly more minerals than the red one; they are a rich source of K, Na, Ca and Mg and present a beneficial Na/K ratio. Himanthalia elongata displayed remarkably high polyphenolic content, endowing it with appreciable antioxidant activity. These seaweeds offer considerable potential as functional food ingredients due to components like dietary fiber, minerals and trace elements, protein and lipids, which produce many different kinds of biological activities, and also to their high antioxidant capacity.

Hypolipidemic Potential of Methanolic Extract of Gracilaria Corticata on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…They synthesize a diverse range of unique secondary metabolites that have not been reported in terrestrial plants. The antioxidant potential of numerous edible seaweeds was found to be remarkably high [34]. Cardioprotective roles of red, brown, and green algae have also been established recently [35].…”

New insights into seaweed polyphenols on glucose homeostasis

“…Marine macroalgae are a wealthy source of polyphenolic antioxidants such as catechins, flavonols, and phlorotannins in particular (Heo et al, 2005a). Polyphenols are well-characterized antioxidants and seaweed-derived polyphenols have been explored as a component of functional foods (Cofrades et al, 2010). Dietary intake of seafood-derived polyphenols have been ascribed to several potential health benefits; however, epidemiological and interventional studies are not well documented.…”

Nutritive and Xenobiotic Compounds in the Alien Algae Undaria pinnatifida From Argentine Patagonia

“…The Na-to-K ratios ranged between 0.22 and 1.11, which is interesting from the nutritional point of view because the intake of sodium chloride as well as diets with a high N:K ratio have been related to the incidence of hypertension (Rupérez 2002). U. pinnatifida contains approximately eight times more Ca than milk (Moreiras et al 2003) and thus is an excellent source of Ca for growing children and for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in premenopausal and postmenopausal women (Cofrades et al 2010). Mg is usually in deficit in the human body (Fernández-Saá 2002).…”

“…Mg is usually in deficit in the human body (Fernández-Saá 2002). It helps to maintain the electrical potential of nerve and muscle cells; it is needed to synthesize various protein substances; it regulates the heartbeat; and a shortage of it can increase blood pressure (Cofrades et al 2010). Contributions to the recommended dose of macrominerals assuming a daily intake of 2 g of TB are listed in Table 4.…”