Characterization of agar from Gracilaria tikvahiae cultivated for nutrient bioextraction in open water farms

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Abstract: 

Gracilaria tikvahiae, an endemic western North Atlantic red alga, was cultivated for nutrient bioextraction in urbanized estuarine waters in Long Island Sound and the Bronx River Estuary, USA. This study assesses the feasibility of an integrated approach of using G. tikvahiae produced in this bioextraction system as sustainable biomass source for agar production. Agars were extracted after alkaline pre-treatment and characterized in terms of gelling strength, chemical composition, chemical structure and gel structure. Results indicated that this seaweed performed similar to other cultivated Gracilaria in terms of extraction yield and gelling strength of the agar. Differences between sites were not significant in terms of agar gel strength, though yield was higher at Long Island Sound. The extracted agars were sulfated, methylated and with no detectable pyruvate substituents. It is possible to use an integrated strategy of nutrient bioextraction in urbanized estuarine waters and agar exploitation with G. tikvahiae.

Author(s): 
Maria do Pilar Gonçalves
Charles Yarish
Júlia M.C.S. Magalhães
Jang K. Kim
Ana M.M. Sousa
Cristina M.R. Rocha
Keywords: 
Agar
Extraction
Yield
Gel strength
Nutrient bioextraction
Gracilaria tikvahia
Article Source: 
Food Hydrocolloids 89 (2019) 260-271
Category: 
Seaweed composition
Uses of Seaweeds: Miscellaneous