A collection of some of the marine macroalgal species from the Kollam Coast of India belonging to three major groups (Chlorophyceaea, Phaeophyceaea, and Rhodophyceaea) levels of moisture, total carbohydrates, total proteins and few antioxidant components, namely, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and catalase enzyme, were analyzed. Standard procedures were followed for carrying out estimations and assays. Moisture levels were highest in the green alga Caulerpa scalpelliformis, while protein concentration was astonishingly high in the Phaeophycean member Padina tetrastromatica. Carbohydrate levels were highest in brown algal members. Ascorbic acid concentration was almost similar in the studied species. The β-carotene values were highest in C. scalpelliformis and lowest in the other green alga, Ulva lactuca. Catalase activity was found prominent in Sargassum tenerrimum. The results obtained in the present work reveal the basic biochemical components of five seaweeds from the Kollam Coast in India. Interestingly, P. tetrastromatica showed surplus levels of protein when compared to the normal trend for brown algae. Ascorbic acid, an antioxidant, was found at similar levels in the studied species and almost at par with some common fruits. Thus, the studied seaweeds could definitely be considered as a source of vitamin C and other nutrients on the basis of further in-depth studies.

Keywords: Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyceae, seaweeds, antioxidants, reactive oxygen species, stress, macroalgae, India

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