Mohammad Abdul Momin SIDDIQUE
The proximate composition and amino acid profile of two subtropical red seaweeds (Hypnea pannosa and Hypnea musciformis) were investigated. The total protein (16.31 ±0.72% DW for H. pannosa and 18.64±1.12% for H. musciformis) and dietary fibre (40.59±0.95% DW for H. pannosa and 37.92±1.44% for H. musciformis) were the two most abundant components in these seaweeds. The mean percentage (dry weight basis) of crude lipid, carbohydrates and ash were 1.56 ±0.22%, 22.89 ±1.26% and 18.65 ±0.54% for H. pannosa and 1.27 ±0.41%, 20.60±1.68% and 21.57 ±1.04% for H. musciformis; respectively. H. pannosa and H. musci-formis contained all the essential amino acids, which accounted for 52.27% and 53.89% of the total amino acids; respectively. Lysine, methionine and tyrosine were the limiting amino acids for H. pannosa (53.3, 14.6 and 25.8 mg/g protein; respectively) and H. musciformis (45.6, 16.2 and 26.2 mg/g protein; respectively). The proximate chemical composition and amino acid pro-file of these two red seaweed species exhibited high nutritional value for human consumption.
