SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BROWN ALGAE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ALGINIC ACID

갈조류의 알긴산 함량의 계절적인 변화에 관하여

The present investigations were carried out with the purpose of making clear the fundamental features of the seasonal variations in chemical composition of the brown algae. Three species of samples, Ecklonia cava, Sargassum sagamianum and Hizikia fusiforme have been analyzed monthly for their contents of total ash, crude protein, alginic acid, mannitol, and laminarin over a year period. Three kinds of samples were collected from the same locality, situated on the southern coast of the Che-ju Island, from September 1966 to August 1967. In addition, the comparative analysis was made on fronds and stipes of the plant for their chemical composition. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1, In general, the three species examined underwent a similar mode of seasonal variation, and no essential difference was detected among them. 2. The chemical composition of the plant exhibited a considerable difference between the species. The content of total ash in H. fusiforme was remarkably higher than those in the two other species respectively. The alginic acid content was relatively high in S. sagamianum and low in H. fusiforme. The contents of crude protein, mannitol and laminarin were appreciably high in E. cava and low in H. fusiforme in general. 3. The most outstanding feature in the seasonal variation was that, in general, the total ash, crude protein, and alginic acid contents were at a maximum in the winter months while laminarin and mannitol contents were at a minimum. The converse was true in summer. Total ash-Maximum values were observed from December to February and minimum from August till October. Crude Protein-All species exhibited maxima in January and February, and minima from August to October. Alginic acid-Maximum contents occured from January to March and minimum from September to November. Mannitol-The maximum content of mannitol was In May and lune and minimum in January, February and March. Leminerin-Maximum content was in September and October, and minimum in January and February. 4. The wide seasonal variation in chemical constitution occured in the fronds, but the stipes showed a slight seasonal variation. In the chemical composition, the stipe was high in alginic acid, low in mannitol and laminarin. The reverse was in the frond.