PROXIMATE ANALYSIS, NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND AMINO ACID PROFILE OF MICROALGAE BIOMASS OF STRAINS Dictyosphaerium pulchellum (DP) AND RED ALGAE (R).

Abstract

Microalgae are rapidly growing photosynthetic microorganisms with significant nutritional potential, particularly as sources of protein, lipids, and carbohydrates. This study assessed the proximate composition, nutritional value, and amino acid profile of two microalgae species: Red Algae and Dictyosphaerium pulchellum (DP). Microalgal biomass was harvested, oven-dried, and subjected to standard proximate analysis using AOAC (2016) procedures. Dry biomass yield was determined, and protein content was quantified using the Kjeldahl method. Results showed that DP produced a higher biomass yield (0.33 g) than Red Algae (0.12 g) and contained a higher crude protein content (5.98% vs 5.10%). Lipid, ash, moisture, and carbohydrate contents were also measured and compared between the two species. Amino acid profiling was prepared following standard HPLC procedures (acid hydrolysis with OPA/FMOC derivatization), though data collection is ongoing. This finding indicates that the microalgae Strain DP has superior nutritional potential compared to Strain (R), particularly in terms of protein content, supporting its use as a sustainable nutrient source for food, feed and biotechnological applications.