Proximate composition, dietary fiber and mineral content of four species of Sabah seaweeds

This study was conducted to determine the proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, fat, crude fiber and carbohydrate content), dietary fiber and mineral content in four species of Sabah seaweeds. Two cultivated red seaweeds, Kappaphycus alvarezii var crocodile and Eucheuma denticulatum were collected from Selakan Island, Semporna waters, Sabah. The wild seaweeds, brown seaweed Sargassum polycystum and green seaweed Cculerpa lentillifera were collected from Sebangkat Island, Semporna waters, Sabah. All seaweed species were collected between December 2012 and February 2013. In this study, the wild seaweeds contained higher protein value (11.52% to 12.11% DW) than the cultivated red seaweeds. The fat content in all four seaweed species were relatively low (0.29% to 0.53% DW). Both cultivated red seaweeds had high ash content (36.58% to 41.28% DW) while wild seaweeds, S. polycystum and C lentillifera contained moderate amount of ash (12.20% to 13.60%). Major minerals such as sodium and potassium were more abundant In cultivated red seaweeds compared to the wild seaweeds. Minerals such as calcium and iron were found to be high in wild seaweeds. The magnesium content in S. polycystum was the highest (597.84 mg/100g) among four seaweed species. Trace elements such as zinc and copper were almost the same amount in all four seaweed species. S. polycystum contained the highest amount of crude and dietary fiber mostly in insoluble form. The soluble dietary fiber was more abundant in red seaweeds. In conclusion, these four species of Sabah seaweeds are potentially good sources of proteins, high amount of dietary fiber and minerals making them a valuable healthy food source in human diets.