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Extraction of Sodium Alginate from Selected Seaweeds and Their Physiochemical and Biochemical Properties

Shyamala Viswanathan and Thangaraju Nallamuthu

Seaweeds are available in large quantities; they appear to be the most suitable raw material for commercial exploitation. The major aim of the present study was to examine the physiochemical and biochemical properties of sodium alginate in different brown seaweeds of Colpomenia sinuosa (Derbes & Solier, 1851), Lobophora variegata (Lamouroux)Womersley,1967), Chnoospora implexa (J. Agardh, 1848), Padina gymnospora(Kützing) Sonder, 1871), Sargassum tenerrium (J. Agardh, 1848)and Dictyota dichotoma. Sodium alginate was produced by the method described in Haug et al (1974) and other properties were studied following standard methods. The highest yield of sodium alginate and maximum water content was recorded in C. implexa respectively. The maximum ash content was recorded in P. gymnospora (23.01%). Gelling and melting temperature was noted as 42º C and 85 º C, 82 º C and 70 º C respectively. The maximum carbohydrate was recorded in C. implexa (93.21%), protein content in L. variegata (7.17%) and the lipid content in D. dichotoma (6.12%). The study of their physiochemical properties, together with their biochemical composition, reveals their suitability to be a good source for human consumption. Further studies are necessary for isolation and characterization of the active molecules, which can be used to treat various oxidative stressrelated diseases.