The Content of Carotenes, Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherols in Selected Seaweeds

摘要

In many countries, seaweeds are used as food, fodder, and fertilizers. In this study, seaweed extracts were analyzed as a source of antioxidants for future applications as dietary supplements. The highest contents of alpha- and beta-carotenes were found in Ulva lactuca L. and Codium fragile Sur. respectively. The content of alpha-carotene in Fucus vesiculosus L., U. lactuca, Enteromorpha intestinalis L., and Gracilaria tikvahiae McL., and gamma-tocopherol in F. vesiculosus were higher in summer than in the la:e spring. The content of beta-carotene in U. lactuca, E. intestinalis, and G. tikvahiae was also higher in the summer than in the spring. However, F. vesiculosus contained higher levels of beta-carotene and delta-tocopherol in the spring than in the summer. Comparing the levels of these antioxidants in seaweeds to levels reported in table vegetables revealed that seaweeds are relatively rich in these antioxidants and, therefore, could be used as a source of antioxidants for the production of supplements.