Biochemical Composition and Nutraceutical Perspectives Red Sea Seaweeds

Abstract

Seaweeds are marketed as “nutraceuticals” owing to their highly bioactive ingredients as well as food supplements in order to relinquish physiological conditions and resist diseases. In the current study, the biochemical compositions (total protein, carbohydrate, lipid, fatty acids, amino acid, minerals and dietary fibers) of the seaweeds Caulerpa racemosa, Digenea simplex, Sargassum polycystum and Cystoseria myrica were evaluated. Digenea simplex alga has the highest content of protein, while C. racemosa is rich in lipid. Highly concentrations of carbohydrates and dietary fibers were detected in S. polycystum and C. myrica. However, C. myrica contains large amount of amino acids. This research focused on the role of chemical composition of seaweeds in consumption as food and valuable medicinal products.