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 169mgkgdw) and for Ca (9 vs 19gkg), Fe (0.6 vs 4.2gkg), Cu (44 vs 14mgkg), Zn (93 vs 17mgkg) and As (2 vs 9mgkg). The chemical composition of U. clathrata indicates that it has a good potential for its use in human and animal food.