Journal of Food Biochemistry, cilt.35, sa.2, ss.513-523, 2011 (SCI-Expanded)
In this study, crude ash, protein, oil, mineral and total phenolic contents, and antioxidant properties of Enteromorpha intestinalis (L.) Kütz. and Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kütz. seaweeds were determined. The samples were collected from Acigöl Lake in Karapinar town of Konya in Turkey. The crude ash, crude oil and protein content of E. intestinalis and Cladophora glomerata were 1.92% and 2.44%, 1.63% and 2.48%, 15.02% and 14.13%, respectively. The phenolic content of aqueous solutions was lower than methanolic solutions. The free radical scavenging activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) was also higher in methanolic solutions. Phenolic content and free radical scavenging activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of C. glomerata were higher than E. intestinalis. Both algae were rich in minerals but, while using these algae as a food or feed, attention must be paid on their heavy metal content. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Several species of seaweed are used as human food to provide nutritional value and a characteristic taste. Edible seaweeds are rich in a wide variety of minerals but they are also rich in other components, such as dietary fiber and resistant protein, which may pass through the intestine without being absorbed and can retain dietary mineral components. Methanol extracts of algae were reported to have high antioxidative activity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.