Abstract:
Major nutritional compositions of dried laver (Porphyra spp.) were evaluated in this study. Findings showed that
dried laver contains: moisture (9.34-9.46%), crude protein (42.939–43.041%), dietary fibres (31.598-31.662%), total
ash (10.267-10.333%), and crude fat (0.45-0.53%), and total carbohydrate (36.64-37.00%). The total energy value was
estimated to be 8,467.69 KJ.kg-1
. Among the mineral elements (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) analyzed,
potassium was the most abundant (1390.76 -1399.24 mg/100 g), while copper was present in the lowest
concentration (1.36-1.40 mg/100 g DW). The total and free essential amino acids were 14412.69 mg/100 g and 56.06
mg/100 g respectively. Glutamic, alanine and aspartic amino acids were high in the total amino acids, while,
arginine was high in the free amino acids. The dried laver showed appreciable nutritional composition and energy
value thus, laver could be an alternative ingredient in the food products.
