Abstract
The present study evaluated the nutritional composition of under-exploited edible seaweeds and its comparison with recommended dietary allowances (RDA) of pregnant women. Some under-exploited seaweeds were identified such as Acanthophora spicifera, Gracilaria edulis, Padina gymnospora, Ulva fasciata and Enteromorpha flexuosa were not utilized directly as a food, thus evaluated their wholesome nutrients for food application. Results showed that micronutrients were found to be high in selected seaweeds such as iron in the range of 14.8–72 mg/100 g, iodine 38.8–72.2 mg/100 g, and calcium 410–870 mg/100 g. The essential aminoacids were between 189.2 and 306 mg/g, essential fatty acid like arachidonic acid was 0.80% and 0.59% of linoleic acid, monounsaturated fatty acid were 3.05–14.08% in U. fasiciata. Heavy metals were within the tolerable limit, mercury was found 0.030 ppm A. spicifera and not detected in other species, arsenic 0.012–0.076 ppm, cadmium content ranges between 0.012 and 0.081 ppm in all species. These nutrients meet more than 70% of macro and micronutrients in precise combination of RDA suggested for pregnant women. Therefore, seaweed would be better alternative food source to meet food security challenges.