Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The yield, physical and chemical properties of agar gel from Gracilaria species (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) of the Kenya coast

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Six species of Gracilaria, G. corticata J. Agardh, G. crassa Harvey, G. millardetii J. Agardh, G. salicornia (J. Ag.) Dawson, G. verrucosa (Huds.) Papenfuss and Gracilaria sp, collected from different stations along the Kenya coast were studied. The yield of hot water native agar extract ranges from 8.1–30% of dry weight, with G. verrucosa and G. salicornia having the greatest and the least yield, respectively. The gel-strength of 1.5% agar solution was highest in G. verrucosa (220 g cm−2) and lowest in G. corticata (< 60 g cm − 2) whereas the highest gelling temperature was recorded for Gracilaria sp. (40.4 °C) and the lowest in G. verrucosa (28.9 °C). 3,6 anhydrogalactose content was the highest in G. verrucosa and the lowest in G. corticata while sulphate content was higher in the latter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Craigie, J. S. & Z. C. Wen, 1984. Effects of temperature and tissue age on gel strength and composition of agar from Gracilaria tikvahiae (Rhodophyceae). Can. J. Bot. 62: 1665–1670.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Loach, W. S., O. C. Witton, J. McCaskill, H. J. Humm & F. A. Wolf, 1946. Gracilaria confervoides as a source of agar. Duke Mari. Lab. Bull. 3: 25–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doty, M. S. & G. A. Santos, 1983. Agar from Gracilaria cylindrica Aquat. Bot. 15: 299–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle, M. D., 1978. Agar studies in two Gracilaria species (G. bursapastoris (Gmelin) Silva and G. coronopifolia (J. Ag.) from Hawaii II. Seasonal aspects. Bot. mar. 21: 347–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humm, H. J., 1951. The Seaweed resources of North Carolina In H. F. Taylor (Ed.), Survey of Marine Fisheries of North Carolina. University of North Carolina Press., Chapel Hill: 231–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isaac, W. E., 1967. Marine botany of the Kenya coast. 1. A first list of Kenya marine algae. J. E. Afr. Nat. Hist. Soc. 26: 75–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isaac, W. E., 1968. Marine botany of the Kenya coast. 2. A second list of Kenya marine algae. J. E. Afr. Nat. Hist. Soc. 27: 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isaac, W. E., 1971. Marine botany of the Kenya coast. 5. A third list of Kenya marine algae. J. E. Afr. Nat. Hist. Soc. 28: 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isaac, W. E. & F. M. Isaac, 1968. Marine botany of Kenya coast. 3. General account of environment flora and vegetation. J. E. Aft. Nat. Hist. Soc. 27: 7–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaasund, E., 1976. Intertidal Seaweeds in Tanzania. A field guide. University of Tromso, Norway, 160 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • John, D. M. & S. O. Asare, 1975. A preliminary study of the variations and properties of phycocolloids from Ghanaian Seaweeds. Mar. Biol. 30: 325–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirsten, W. J. & B. S. Nordenmark, 1987. Rapid automatic high-precision method for micro, ultramicro and trace determination of sulphur. Analyt. Chim. Acta 196: 59–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahaye, M., C. Rochas & W. Yaphe, 1986. A new procedure for determining the heterogeneity of agar polymers in the cell was of Gracilaria spp. (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta). Can. J. Bot. 64: 579–585.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLachlan, J. & C. J. Bird, 1983. Gracilaria in the seaweed market; a prospectus. Symposium international de Acuacultura, Coquimbo, Chile, Sept. 1983: 133–157.

  • Moorjani, S. A., 1977. The Ecology of Marine Algae of the Kenya Coast. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Nairobi, 285 pp.

  • Moorjani, S. A. & B. Simpson, 1988. In A. Gunston (ed.), Seaweeds of the Kenya Coast. Oxford University Press, Nairobi. 134 pp.

  • Oyieke, H. A. & R. K. Ruwa, 1986. Non-encrusting macroalgal zonation on rocky cliffs around Mombasa, Kenya. Kenya J. Sci. series B 8: 77–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos, G. A., 1980. Quality of carrageenan and agar. In J. A. Abott, M. Foster & L. Eklund (eds), Pacific Seaweed Aquaculture. California Sea Grant Program, UCSD: 123–129.

  • Umamaheswara Rao, M., 1969. Agar and algin — yielding Seaweeds of India. Proc. int. Seaweed Symp. 6: 715–721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whyte, J. N. C. & J. R. Englar, 1980. Chemical composition and quality of agars in the morphotypes of Graclaria from British Columbia. Bot. mar. 23: 277–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yaphe, W. & G. P. Arsenault, 1965. Improved resorcinol reagent for the determination of fructose and of 3,6anhydrogalactose in polysaccharides. Analyt. Biochem. 13: 143–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yarish, C. & G. Wamukoya, 1990. Seaweeds of potential economic importance in Kenya: field survey and future prospects. Proc. int. Seaweed Symp. 13: 339–346.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box, 81651, Mombasa, Kenya

    H. A. Oyieke

Authors
  1. H. A. Oyieke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Oyieke, H.A. The yield, physical and chemical properties of agar gel from Gracilaria species (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) of the Kenya coast. Hydrobiologia 260, 613–620 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049079

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049079

Key words

Search

Navigation