Study on proximate composition of four seaweeds from Kilinochchi and Kalpitiya area of Sri Lanka

Some of the representatives from edible seaweeds (Gracilaria verrucosa, Gracilaria corticata, Turbinaria ornate, Sargassum polycystum) from Kilinochchi and Kalpitiya in Sri Lanka were investigated for proximate composition (moisture, protein, lipid and ash content). The proximate composition was significantly (p < 0.001) different across seaweed species. In this regard, moisture content (mean ± SD) varied from 76.33 ± 0.0% in T. ornata to 89.78 ± 0.6% in G. corticata. The S. polycystum presented the highest fat content (1.94 ± 0.5%); whereas, G. corticata showed the highest protein level (21.66 ± 1.1%). Fat content was low in T. ornata (0.37 ± 0.2%) and S. polycystum (1.94 ± 0.5%) while protein content was low in other three species. Also G. verrucosa and G. corticata had higher ash content (44.34 ± 3.8% and 44.34 ± 3.8% respectively) than other seaweed species. The variation in proximate composition was high among species and would be a healthy addition to normal diets