Journal of Fisheries and Life Sciences

Author(s): H. M. Manas, G. Deshmukhe, G. Venkateshwarlu, A. K. Jaiswar, Indira Divipala and G. M. Siddaiah

Abstract: Caulerpa spp are one of the abundant group of seaweeds found in intertidal areas. Nutritional content of eight specimens of different Caulerpa spp collected from Gujarat and Maharashtra coast were studied. Among various species, ash and carbohydrate were dominant components, highest ash (40.27 %) recorded from C. veravalensis and carbohydrate (40.44 %) from C. racemosa v. macrophysa, both seaweeds were collected from Veraval, while protein content was upto 17.19 % as in case of C. sertularoides from Colaba. Fatty acid profile showed maximum content of SAFA’s (up to 6.34 %) followed by PUFAs (up to 42.84 %) in all the species. Seaweeds can provide protein and low fat carbohydrate content as part of a balanced diet and can be used as food source or as supplements.