Biochemical, Micronutrient and Physicochemical Properties of the Dried Red Seaweeds and .

The present study sought to evaluate the nutritional composition and physicochemical properties of two dried commercially interesting edible red seaweeds, and . Proximate composition of the dried seaweeds revealed a higher content in carbohydrates (8.30 g/100 g), total crude protein (22.84 g/100 g) and lipid content (7.07 g/100 g) in than in . Fatty acids profile showed that samples contain higher concentrations of saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic and stearic acids, and polyunsaturated ones such as α-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids. Contrariwise, contained higher amounts of monounsaturated oleic acid. Total amino acid content was 76.60 mg/g in and 65.42 mg/g in , being the essential amino acid content higher in (35.55 mg/g) than in (22.76 mg/g). Chlorophyll was found in significantly higher amounts in (17.14 μg/g) than , whereas carotenoid content was significantly higher in (12.98 μg/g) than in . With respect to physical properties, both water- and oil-holding capacities were similar in both seaweeds, whereas swelling capacity was higher in . In view of the results, the present study suggests that and contains important nutrients for human health and are possible natural functional foods.