Seasonal changes in nutrient composition of some macroalgae species distributed in Mersin coastline

This study aimed to examine the seasonal changes in the nutritional content of different macroalgae species (Ulva compressa, Ulva rigida, Hypnea musciformis and Ellisolandia elongata) distributed on the coast of Mersin Province. Seasonal macroalgae sampling was carried out from the coastline of Mersin Province and U. compressa, U. rigida, H. musciformis and E. elongata species were selected for analysis. Crude ash, lipid and protein analyzes were made from nutritional contents. Additionally, fatty acid composition was determined. As a result of the study, it was determined that nutritional contents and fatty acid compositions varied according to species and seasons. In the study, the lowest protein value of U. rigida was %20.26±0.34 and the highest was %25.43±0.26; the lowest protein content of U. compressa is %14.25±0.41, the highest is %23.32±0.31; the lowest protein content of H. musciformis is %21.62±0.08, the highest is %23.77±0.14; the lowest protein content of E. elongata was %2.61±0.09 and the highest was %4.38±0.09. In the study, the lowest protein content was found in E. elongata and the highest in U. rigida. In the study, the lipid content of U. rigida was lowest %0.49±0.03 and highest %1.67±0.27; the lipid content of U. compressa is lowest %0.89±0.05, highest %7.24±0.14; the lowest value of H. musciformis is %0.54±0.1, the highest is %1.74±0.27; the lipid content of E. elongata was found to be the lowest %1.53±0.07 and the highest %2.52±0.04. The lowest lipid content was found in U. rigida and the highest in U. compressa. In the study, the lowest ash content of U. rigida was %13.70±0.33 and the highest was %29.81±5.51; the lowest ash content of U. compressa is %22.37±0.92, the highest is %43.93±1.06; the lowest ash content of H. musciformis is %17.40±0.38, the highest is %22.09±1.14; the lowest ash content of E. elongata was %77.03+0.19 and the highest was %83.5+0.23. While the ash content was lowest in U. rigida, it was highest in E. elongata. While total saturated fatty acids contents were at the lowest levels in U. compressa, the highest content was found in E. elongata. According to the data obtained, it was concluded that the biochemical content of macroalgae showed significant differences depending on the species as well as environmental conditions.