Agar from gelidiella acerosa by alakali treatment

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Date
1993
Authors
Mathew, P.T.
Prabhu, P.V.
Gopalakumar, K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CMFRI(Cochin)
Abstract
A process for the preparation of high gel strength agar from Gelidiella acerosa species of sea weed collected from Tamil Nadu coast by alkali treatment, instead of the conventional acid treatment is described. Agar is extracted from seaweeds treated with 0.5 Sodium m carbonate solution at 85 to 90°C for 15, 30, 45 and 60 mi n. Gel strength of 1.5% solution of the agar samples is determined using Universal Testing Machine. Proximate composition, gelling temperature, melting temperature and sulphate content w rt! also determined. Gel strength of agar prepared after treating with 0.5% sodium carbonate solution for 30 min. has higher (700 g/cm2) than that prepared after treating for 15, 45 and 60 min. (400, 500, 350 respectively) as well as that by acid treatment (200-250 glcm2 .
Description
Keywords
Seaweeds, renewable resources
Citation
Seaweed research uttilization