CHEMICAL AND MINERAL-COMPOSITION OF 6 POTENTIALLY EDIBLE SEAWEED SPECIES OF YUCATAN

Chemical composition lash, protein, fibre, fat, carbohydrates) and min eral content (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb) was determined in six Caribbean seaweed species. Gracilaria cornea, Eucheuma isiforme, Caul erpa racemosa, Codium isthmocladum, Padina gymnospora and Sargassum fi lipendula from natural populations were evaluated for their nutritiona l quality in the spring of 1994. Ash was the most important constituen t ranging from 29.06-55.93%. Eucheuma isiforme showed the highest prot ein content (12.10%), while lowest value was found in Codium isthmocla dum (3.50%). Fat content was highest in Codium isthmocladum and Gracil aria cornea. Crude fiber varied from 1.01 to 9.07%. Both members of th e Rhodophyta showed high carbohydrate contents. Sargassum filipendula and Padina gymnospora were characterized by a high mineral content, ca lcium and magnesium were particularly high. Trace metals (Fe, Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn) occurred at high levels in all species. The potential use o f these species for human consumption or alternative human uses is dis cussed.