Seasonal variation in the biomass and agar yield from Gracilaria cervicornis and Hydropuntia cornea from Brazil

Bioresour Technol. 2001 Apr;77(2):115-20. doi: 10.1016/s0960-8524(00)00158-9.

Abstract

Seasonality of biomass and agar yield from two agarophytes (G. cervicornis and H. cornea) was determined. The biomass from G. cervicornis was higher (390 g m-2) during the dry season and lower during the rainy season (129 g m-2). The data analysis for G. cervicornis revealed a significant seasonal variation (P < 0.05). H. cornea did not show a clear seasonal variation and was present only from March to August. The peak in biomass for this species was recorded in April (383 g m-2) and was significantly different from the other months (P < 0.05). The agar yield for G. cervicornis varied from 11% to 20%, with generally higher values recorded during the dry season. The agar yield showed a highly significant variation (P < 0.001). Agar yield from H. cornea ranged from 29% to 41%, with a peak recorded in June. The results above indicate that H. cornea can be considered a good candidate for commercial use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agar / analysis*
  • Agar / economics
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biomass
  • Brazil
  • Rhodophyta / growth & development*
  • Seasons*

Substances

  • Agar