Nutritional composition of M. senegalense in order to increase the value of this macroalgal resource for economic development

Abstract

Macroalgae are used in diverse global regions. Meristotheca senegalense J. Feldmann, a macroalga species
found in a Senegalese bay, was the subject of this study focusing on the chemical and mineral composition.
The present study was done in order to evaluate the potential of this macroalgal resource for biomass
development and contribution to the economy in Senegal. The results of this study showed that M.
senegalense J. Feldmann was relatively a good source of nutrients including fiber (6.67 ± 0.7%) and protein
(6.37 ± 0.8%). Mineral analysis also showed significant concentrations of magnesium (216.87 ±12.9 mg/100
g), calcium (81.6 ± 17.5 mg/100 g), iodine (31.16 ± 1.5 mg/kg) and iron (28.13 ± 2.15 mg/100 g). However, zinc
and copper 3.31 ± 0.26 and 2.43 ± 0.13 mg/100 g respectively were found at relatively low concentrations.
Interestingly, the vitamin B12 content was significant with a content of 20 ± 1.0 mg/kg, potentially allowing
for the use of the alga as a supplemental. The nutrient concentrations reported for M. senegalense J.
Feldmann suggests that its cultivation and harvest can be a source of diversification in the activities of
fishermen. In terms of food consumption, the results also showed that the red alga used in this study can be
added to human diets as supplementation and might also be F