Evaluation of seagrasses for their nutritional value

Abstract

Biochemical and calorific contents of different species of seagrasses occurring in Palk Bay were determined: Enhalus acoroides (68.82 K cal g), Halophila beccarii (29.16 K cal g), Halophila ovalis (24.08 K cal g), Cymodocea rotundata (60.62 K cal g), Cymodocea serrulata (43.40 K cal g), Halodule uninervis (40.15 K cal g), Halodule pinifolia (28.39 K cal g) and Syringodium isoetifolium (38.38 K cal g) of leaves and in rhizome Enhalus acoroides (77.84 K cal g), Halophila beccarii (38.84 K cal g), Halophila ovalis (37.03 K cal g), Cymodocea rotundata (63.68 K cal g), Cymodocea serrulata (37.33 K cal g), Halodule uninervis (28.39 K cal g), Halodule pinifolia (28.23 K cal g) and Syringodium isoetifolium (30.48 K cal g). Calorific contents of seagrasses were equivalent to Bengal gram, Peas, Potato and Sweet potatoes. Present study suggests that the seagrasses could be considered as feed/food.