Amino Acid Profile and Protein Quality Assessment of Macroalgae Produced in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System
Seaweeds are a recognized source of bioactive compounds and techno-functional ingredients. However, its protein fraction is still underexplored. The aim of this study was to determine the total and free amino acid profile and protein content of four seaweeds species (<i>Porphyra dioica, Porphy...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/10/1382 |
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| author | Marlene Machado Susana Machado Filipa B. Pimentel Victor Freitas Rita C. Alves M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira |
| author_facet | Marlene Machado Susana Machado Filipa B. Pimentel Victor Freitas Rita C. Alves M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira |
| author_sort | Marlene Machado |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Seaweeds are a recognized source of bioactive compounds and techno-functional ingredients. However, its protein fraction is still underexplored. The aim of this study was to determine the total and free amino acid profile and protein content of four seaweeds species (<i>Porphyra dioica, Porphyra umbilicalis,</i><i>Gracilaria vermiculophylla,</i> and <i>Ulva rigida</i>) produced in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system, while assessing their protein quality. Samples were submitted to acid and alkaline hydrolysis (total amino acids) and to an aqueous extraction (free amino acids) followed by an automated online derivatization procedure, and analyzed by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography. Protein-, non-protein and total-nitrogen were quantified by the Kjeldahl method. Crude and true protein contents were estimated based on the nitrogen and amino acid composition. Protein quality was assessed based on the amino acids profile. <i>Porphyra</i> species presented the highest protein content compared to the remaining three seaweed species tested. All samples presented a complete profile of essential amino acids and a high quality protein profile, according to World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization standards. Methionine and tryptophan were the first limiting amino acids in all species. Red species (<i>Porphyra</i> and <i>Gracilaria</i>) presented high levels of free alanine, glutamic, and aspartic acids. The results highlight the potential of using seaweeds as an alternative and sustainable source of protein and amino acids for human nutrition and industrial food processing. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:56:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-151682f7762b47f6aa5327b174c82293 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:56:32Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj.art-151682f7762b47f6aa5327b174c822932023-11-20T15:35:09ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582020-09-01910138210.3390/foods9101382Amino Acid Profile and Protein Quality Assessment of Macroalgae Produced in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture SystemMarlene Machado0Susana Machado1Filipa B. Pimentel2Victor Freitas3Rita C. Alves4M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira5LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalLAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalLAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalLAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, PortugalLAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalLAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalSeaweeds are a recognized source of bioactive compounds and techno-functional ingredients. However, its protein fraction is still underexplored. The aim of this study was to determine the total and free amino acid profile and protein content of four seaweeds species (<i>Porphyra dioica, Porphyra umbilicalis,</i><i>Gracilaria vermiculophylla,</i> and <i>Ulva rigida</i>) produced in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system, while assessing their protein quality. Samples were submitted to acid and alkaline hydrolysis (total amino acids) and to an aqueous extraction (free amino acids) followed by an automated online derivatization procedure, and analyzed by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography. Protein-, non-protein and total-nitrogen were quantified by the Kjeldahl method. Crude and true protein contents were estimated based on the nitrogen and amino acid composition. Protein quality was assessed based on the amino acids profile. <i>Porphyra</i> species presented the highest protein content compared to the remaining three seaweed species tested. All samples presented a complete profile of essential amino acids and a high quality protein profile, according to World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization standards. Methionine and tryptophan were the first limiting amino acids in all species. Red species (<i>Porphyra</i> and <i>Gracilaria</i>) presented high levels of free alanine, glutamic, and aspartic acids. The results highlight the potential of using seaweeds as an alternative and sustainable source of protein and amino acids for human nutrition and industrial food processing.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/10/1382seaweedsconchocelisamino acidsprotein qualityintegrated multitrophic aquaculture |
| spellingShingle | Marlene Machado Susana Machado Filipa B. Pimentel Victor Freitas Rita C. Alves M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira Amino Acid Profile and Protein Quality Assessment of Macroalgae Produced in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System Foods seaweeds conchocelis amino acids protein quality integrated multitrophic aquaculture |
| title | Amino Acid Profile and Protein Quality Assessment of Macroalgae Produced in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System |
| title_full | Amino Acid Profile and Protein Quality Assessment of Macroalgae Produced in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System |
| title_fullStr | Amino Acid Profile and Protein Quality Assessment of Macroalgae Produced in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System |
| title_full_unstemmed | Amino Acid Profile and Protein Quality Assessment of Macroalgae Produced in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System |
| title_short | Amino Acid Profile and Protein Quality Assessment of Macroalgae Produced in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System |
| title_sort | amino acid profile and protein quality assessment of macroalgae produced in an integrated multi trophic aquaculture system |
| topic | seaweeds conchocelis amino acids protein quality integrated multitrophic aquaculture |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/10/1382 |
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