Chemical composition and microbiological assays of marine algae Enteromorpha spp. as a potential food source

Enteromorpha spp. is a marine seaweed present almost year round. It often causes unsightly appearance and foul odor from decomposition by micro-organisms. This generates expenses in cleaning beaches. This work determines chemical and microbiological composition, toxicological evaluation of Enteromorpha spp., and recommends its use in human diets and promotion for commercial exploitation, and provides a solution to an ecological problem. The seaweed was collected by hand on the beach during the winters of 1997 and 1998 along the Malecon (street and sidewalk adjacent to the beach) of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Chemical analysis indicated that Enteromorpha spp. has 9-14% protein; 2-3.6% ether extract; 32-36% ash, and n-3 and n-6 fatty acids 10.4 and 10.9 g/100 g of total fatty acid, respectively. The protein of this seaweed has a high digestibility (98%). Salmonella was not found and mesophyllic aerobic and fecal coliform did not exceed the norm. Alkaloids, cyanogenic glucids, saponins, and tannic acid were scarce to null. Enteromorpha spp. is recommended for human consumption because it has several beneficial components, such as minerals, protein, essential amino acids, essential fatty acid, and fiber.