Department of Algae Production, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), PB 115, NO-1431 Ås, Norway and Kudalsveien 6, 8027 Bodø, Norway; The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman 1101, Quezon City, Philippines. Electronic address: Michael.Roleda@nibio.no.
The increasing use of seaweeds in European cuisine led to cultivation initiatives funded by the European Union. Ulva lactuca, commonly known as sea lettuce, is a fast growing seaweed in the North Atlantic that chefs are bringing into the local cuisine. Here, different strains of Arctic U. lactuca were mass-cultivated under controlled conditions for up to 10 months. We quantified various chemical constituents associated with both health benefits (carbohydrates, protein, fatty acids, minerals) and health risks (heavy metals). Chemical analyses showed that long-term cultivation provided biomass of consistently high food quality and nutritional value. Concentrations of macroelements (C, N, P, Ca, Na, K, Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Co, Mn, I) were sufficient to contribute to daily dietary mineral intake. Heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) were found at low levels to pose health risk. The nutritional value of Ulva in terms of carbohydrates, protein and fatty acids is comparable to some selected fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains.
Notes
ErratumIn: Food Chem. 2021 Jun 15;347:129059 PMID 33465689