Résumé:
The chemical composition of algae differs depending on the specie and the environment in
which it grows. The objective of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition of two
distinct algae: the red alga Corallina elongata and the invasive green alga Caulerpa racemosa
in order to compare their nutritional potential.
The two algae were collected at the Salamander beach during the spring 2017, sorted, washed
and then dried. The nutritional analyzes concerned the determination of lipids, proteins,
polysaccharides as well as those of fibers. Total chlorophyll and carotenoids were determined
on the fresh material of the two studiedalgae.
On the basis of the chemical analysis, the two algae are relatively rich in mineral matter, with
was at a higher level (p <0.05) in Corallina elongata (28.25%) compared to Caulerpa
racemosa (17.25%). Concerning the other compounds, the green alga appears to be more rich
in proteins (9.21% DM) than the red alga (6.14% DM) (p <0.05). Even polysaccharides level
was higher in Caulerpa racemosa than in Corallina elongata (p <0.05). The total lipid content
was comparable (p> 0.05) between the two algae (4.86% and 4.03% respectively in Corallina
elongate and Caulerpa racemosa). Total dietary fiber levels were also comparable. The total
chlorophyll rate in Corallina elongata was 1.3 higher than in Caulerpa racemosa and both
algae appear to contain the same and low proportion of carotenoids.
Finally, it appears that the green alga Caulerpa racemosa has a more appreciable nutritional
potential compared to that of the red alga Corallina elongata.
