The nutritional value of edible freshwater Alga Cladophora sp. (Chlorophyta) grown under different phosphorus concentrations

Abstract

Culture of an edible freshwater alga Cladophora sp. was subjected to phosphorus (P) supply (1.07-14.78 mg L-1 of PO4-P) in order to determine its proximate compositions, vitamins, minerals and carotenoid compositions. The alga was mass cultured by using 10% of canteen wastewater with the addition of di-potassium hydrogen orthophosphate at the concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg L-1. The results showed that with increased P concentration, protein, vitamin A, P, β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin contents increased but carbohydrate content decreased indicating that P supply could enhance carotenoid production and some nutritional values of this alga. © 2011 Friends Science Publishers.