ISSN 2167-0447
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 186-197, June, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Studies on the nutritional contribution and seasonal variation of essentials minerals in edible seaweeds, Porphyra columbina and Ulva spp., from central Patagonia, Argentina
Adriana Ángela Pérez1, Silvia Sara Farías2, Analía Mabel Strobl1, Silvina Camarda1, Laura Beatriz Pérez1, Otmaro Roses3 and María Angélica Fajardo1
1Cátedras de: Toxicología y Química Legal, Biología y Bromatología y Nutrición. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Ciudad Universitaria, Km 4 (9000) Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina.
2Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Gerencia de Tecnología y Medio Ambiente. Av. del Libertador 8250, (1429) Buenos Aires, Argentina.
3Cátedra de Toxicología y Química Legal, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Junín 956, 7º piso
Universidad de Buenos Aires, (1429) Buenos Aires, Argentina.
*Corresponding Author's E-mail: [email protected]
Received May 14, 2012; Accepted June 10, 2012
Abstract
Seaweeds are considered a non- traditional food, constituent part of exotic diets or mineral supplement in far from the sea areas. The objective of this work was determining the concentrations of macroelements (Ca, Mg, and P), microelements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn) and ultratrace (Ni, V) in Porphyra columbina and Ulva spp. in the San Jorge Gulf (Argentina) during 2002, in order to assess the spatial and seasonal variation of these elements, as well as for determining their nutritional contribution.
These elements were quantified by inductively coupled argon plasma/optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) with solid-state detectors. The two algal species under study provide a great amount of essential elements and there is also the possibility of using them to fortify food or as an alternative diet with a very low caloric intake.
Key Words: Mineral composition, macronutrients, micronutrients, seaweeds, trace elements, seasonal variation.