Short communication, Note
Evaluation of Marine Algae Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) and Kombu (Laminaria digitata japonica) as Food Supplements
Nada Kolb
; Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Luciana Vallorani
; Istituto di Chimica Biologica »Giorgio Fornaini«, Università degli Studi di Urbino, via Saffi 2, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
Nada Milanović
; Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Rockefellerova 7, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Vilberto Stocchi
; Istituto di Chimica Biologica »Giorgio Fornaini«, Università degli Studi di Urbino, via Saffi 2, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
Abstract
Crude proteins and their amino acid composition, -carotene, vitamins B1, B2, B6, niacin and minerals were determined in two edible brown marine algae (Phaeophyceae), Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) and Kombu (Laminaria digitata japonica). The amino acid scores for five key essential amino acids, frequently deficient in mixed human diet, and essential amino acid index were calculated. The results have shown the presence of all essential amino acids. The values of essential amino acid ratios of analysed algae exceed the ratios of reference proteins suggested by FAO/WHO/UNU, except for tryptophan, the first limiting amino acid in both analysed algae. Iodine, the most important component of sea vegetables is present in high amounts as well as the vitamins B1, B2, B6, niacin and β-carotene. The content of minerals was found high, while the presence of heavy metals was negligible.
Keywords
Wakame; Kombu; protein quality; vitamin and mineral composition
Hrčak ID:
110723
URI
Publication date:
15.3.2004.
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