Mehdi Mohammadi

commmonest seaweed spicies were collected from the Northern coasts of the Persian Gulf. Concentration of Mg, Mn, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, were determined in several red (Gelidiella acerosa, Gracilaria folifera, Laurnicia majuscule, Sarconema filiforme, Scinaia tsingalenisis) green (Entereromorpha clathrata) and brown (Padina australis) seaweeds from Persian Gulf seashore was analyzed in this experiment. In general, lipids content of seven varieties were low with the with 1.88 ± 0.26 g/100 g s.w. in Scinaia tsingalenisis and 5.16±0.52 in Sarconema filiforme. The pure protein content was varied widely from 5.50±0.29 g/100 g dw-1. in red Gelidiella acerosa to 24.86 ±0.15 g/100 g/100 g dw-1in green algae. The highest and lowest rate of total carbohydrate were found in Sarconema filiforme and Entereromorpha clathrata respectively. The result showed that macroelemnts concentration (Ca, Mg, K, and Fe) exhibited higher than microelements. The concentrations range of each metal in µgg-1 dry weight varied as follow Fe= 83/7-290.3; Zn= 2/68-30.36; Cu= 2/12-4/93; Pb=1/39-2/6; Cd=0/13- 1/72; Ni= 1/97-4/60. Generally, differences in metals concentration were found among the different species of marine seaweeds. This variation in biochemical and metals contants of those seaweeds may relate to the ecological and morphological character and etc. These seaweeds have a good potential and could be recommended for food, feed, fertilizers and chemicals. The various macroalgae species may reflect their morphology with those having a larger surface area having a greater internal content. Edible seaweed could be used as a food supplement to help the recommended daily intake of some essential and trace metals.