BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT AND ABUNDANTLY AVAILABLE SEAWEED SPECIES FROM SAURASHTRA REGION, GUJARAT.

The plant species which were found along the sea - shore was called as "seaweed". They were reported all along the Indian coastal state waters in variable amount. Among all these Indian coastal states Tamil Nadu and Gujarat states contributes more seaweed resource. They were mainly utilized for food, medicine, fertilizers etc. In this study, six seaweed species were identified viz., Green Algae: Caulerpara cemosa and Ulva fasciata; Brown Algae: Sargassum cinereum and Spatoglos sumasperum; Red Algae: Asparagopsis taxiformis and Hypneamus ciformis. The biochemical composition of those species were studied for Crude Protein content, Fat content, Carbohydrate content and Ash content. The values of biochemical composition were varies from; crude protein: 7.95-18.63%, fat content: 0.53-3.16%, carbohydrate content: 16.98-40.82% and ash content: 19.05-38.97%, which represents these available seaweed resources in future could become one of the most important resource and so in future this scenario ultimately causes the utilization and demand of seaweed was goes on increasing, not only along Asian countries, but also from all over the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]