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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Macroalgae (seaweeds) represent a sustainable and alternative source of high-value fatty acids (FAs), including omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6), which could help alleviate pressure on wild fish stocks and mitigate global overfishing. This study analyzed the FA composition of field-collected red (Chondracanthus acicularis, Ballia callitriche, Gracilaria sp., and Gelidium coulteri), brown (Padina pavonica, Sargassum vulgare, Cystoseira myrica, Cystoseira sp., Dictyota dichotoma, and Stephanocystis mundane), and green seaweeds (Ulva compressa). Additionally, lipid extraction was optimized using food-grade solvents, reaction temperatures, and the functional properties of selected green and brown seaweeds. The results showed that brown and green seaweeds contained higher total FA content than red seaweeds, with a favorable n-6/n-3 ratio below 10. The selected species’ functional properties (Water- and Oil-Holding Capacities, Swelling Capacity) met food-grade standards. Ethyl acetate at 60 °C was identified as the optimal food-grade solvent for lipid extraction. Functional properties varied significantly by species and processing conditions, with Ulva compressa exhibiting superior Water- and Oil-Holding Capacities and Swelling Capacity compared to Cystoseira myrica, highlighting its potential as a functional food ingredient. These findings support using seaweeds as a sustainable source for human nutrition.

Details

Title
Fatty Acid Profile in Field-Collected Seaweed, Lipid Extraction Optimization, and Food Functional Properties
Author
Gnayem Nabeel 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Unis Razan 1 ; Gnaim Rima 1 ; Israel, Álvaro 2 ; Jallal, Gnaim 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Golberg, Alexander 4 

 Department of Environmental Studies, Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel, The Triangle Regional Research and Development Center, Kfar Qari 3007500, Israel 
 Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute, Haifa 3547133, Israel 
 The Triangle Regional Research and Development Center, Kfar Qari 3007500, Israel 
 Department of Environmental Studies, Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel 
First page
710
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20751729
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3212046766
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.