Chemical composition of cultivated seaweed Ulva clathrata (Roth) C. Agardh

Samples of cultivated Ulva clathrata were collected from a medium scale system (MSS, 1.5×1.5m tank), or from a large scale system (LSS, 0.8ha earthen pond). MSS samples were dried directly while the LSS sample was washed in freshwater and pressed before drying. Crude protein content ranged 20-26%, essential amino acids accounting for 32-36% of crude protein. The main analysed monosaccharides were rhamnose (36-40%), uronic acids (27-29%), xylose (10-13%) and glucose (10-16%). Some notable variations between MSS and LSS samples were observed for total dietary fibre (26% vs 41%), saturated fatty acids (31% vs 51%), PUFAS (33% vs 13%), carotenoids (358 vs 169mgkg^-1dw) and for Ca (9 vs 19gkg^-1), Fe (0.6 vs 4.2gkg^-1), Cu (44 vs 14mgkg^-1), Zn (93 vs 17mgkg^-1) and As (2 vs 9mgkg^-1). The chemical composition of U. clathrata indicates that it has a good potential for its use in human and animal food.