Diversity, Phytochemical Screening and Utilization of Macroalgae

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the diversity, utilization and phytochemical composition of macroalgae in the coastal towns of Cagayan. The macroalgae that were used in this study were collected from the intertidal zones of Sta.Praxedes, Claveria, Gonzaga and Sta. Ana Cagayan during a low tide using a transect line. The species covered by the 100 cm x 100 cm quadrant used were counted (Quadrat method). The researcher initially identified the macroalgae species using the book of Dr. Gavino C. Trono Jr. (2004) and was then brought to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Office, Tuguegarao City for further verification and validation. The macroalgae extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening to determine the different secondary metabolites present. Findings of the study revealed that there were forty eight (48) prevalent species of macroalgae found in the coastal towns of Cagayan for the months of October, November and December. The macroalgae was dominated by Rhodophyceae. Thirteen (13) species belongs to Chlorophyceae, eleven (11) species belongs to Phaeophyceae, and twenty four (24) species classified under Rhodophyceae. The qualitative analysis of the secondary metabolites present in the forty eight (48) macroalgae species through phytochemical screening revealed that the macroalgae species contain various amount of valuable phytochemicals. It was further found out that only Ulva lactuca and Chlorodesmis fastiaga contain all the six secondary metabolites tested. The most diverse coastal town in terms of the number of macroalgae species found was Sta. Ana with twenty six (26) species of macroalgae, followed by Gonzaga with twenty five (25) species of macroalgae, then Claveria with twenty two (22) species of macroalgae and the least with fifteen (15) species of macroalgae was Sta. Praxedes. The coastal town with the most abundant macroalgae species in terms of frequency and relative frequency was Sta. Ana, followed by Gonzaga, then Claveria and lastly Sta. Praxedes. Macroalgae growth is abundant in the month of November as compared to the months of October and December. The utilization of macroalgae by the local communities is based primarily on their economic uses as human food, herbal medicine and as items of trade, or as a source of livelihood.