CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF TWO BROWN SEAWEED SPECIES FROM KARIMUN JAWA, INDONESIA

Seaweeds are potentials to be developed as an alternative source in food and pharmaceuticals. In this study, chemical compositions of two brown seaweeds species from Karimun Java Indonesia Padina australis and Turbinaria conoides were investigated. Proximate results showed that both seaweeds contain a high amount of carbohydrates and ashes. Mineral contents of P. australis and T. conoides follow the orders of Na>Mg>Fe>K>Ca>Zn>Cu and Na>Mg>K>Fe>Zn>Ca>Cu, respectively. Almost all essential amino acids (including histidine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine and lysine) were present in both seaweeds. Fatty acid profiles showed that both seaweed contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with T. conoides contain a higher amount of EPA (8.58 ± 0.22 g per 100 g of total fatty acids) and DHA (6.05 ± 0.21 g per 100 g of total fatty acids). The findings of this study have provided evidence that brown seaweeds were nutritious and potential to be utilized for producing functional ingredients in food. Further, P. australis and T. conoides can be used as a candidate in food industries to increase shelf-life of food items for human consumption, and used to deter deleterious free radical-induced lifethreatening diseases.