Agar seaweed scientifically known as Eucheuma spp. is a seaweed that is the most common and fast-growing species in the Philippines and is found from just below the low tide mark to the upper subtidal zone of the reef, growing usually on sandy-corally to rocky substrata where water movement is slow to moderate. They grow by means of an apical meristem consisting of a group of actively dividing cells at the tip of the branches. They exhibit a triphasic life cycle, consisting of the gametophyte (n) (dioecious), carposporophyte (2n), and the sporophyte (2n).
Even though commercially significant, species of eucheuma are difficult to identify without the aid of close scientific examination, as different species may have very similar morphologies. It is assumed that eighteen to twenty species alone fall within the genus Eucheuma, represented by the groups Cottoniformia, Eucheuma, Gelatiformia, and Anaxiferae.
The thallus of Eucheuma ranges from 35 to 74 cm. Branches are brittle to cartilaginous inconsistency, ranging from 7 to 9 cm in length, with whorled/spinous branchlets. The cell diameters are as follows: 2-5 µm outer cortexes, 30-196 µm inner cortex, and 20-45 µm medulla. Rhizoids of the medulla are present but Phyllis is absent. Tetrasporangia are zonate with tetraspores ranging from 13 to 36 µm in diameter. Spermatophyte conceptacles range from 350-650 x 300-420 µm with a spermatia diameter of 14-29 µm. Cystocarps and carpospores have not been observed in this species.
Nutritional value of Seaweed, agar, raw
Calories 3 Kcal.Calories from Fat +++ Kcal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 9.13 g | N/D |
| Energy | 3 Kcal | N/D |
| Energy | 11 kJ | N/D |
| Protein | 0.05 g | 0.10% |
| Total Fat (lipid) | 0 g | 0.00% |
| Ash | 0.14 g | N/D |
| Carbohydrate | 0.68 g | 0.52% |
| Total dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0.00% |
| Total Sugars | 0.03 g | N/D |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 5 mg | 0.50% |
| Iron, Fe | 0.19 mg | 2.38% |
| Magnesium, Mg | 7 mg | 1.67% |
| Potassium, K | 23 mg | 0.49% |
| Sodium, Na | 1 mg | 0.07% |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.06 mg | 0.55% |
| Copper, Cu | 0.006 mg | 0.67% |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.037 mg | 1.61% |
| Selenium, Se | 0.1 µg | 0.18% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.002 mg | 0.15% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.006 mg | 0.04% |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.03 mg | 0.60% |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.003 mg | 0.23% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 8 µg | 2.00% |
| Folate, food | 8 µg | N/D |
| Folate, DEF | 8 µg | N/D |
| Choline | 0.6 mg | 0.11% |
| Fat-soluble Vitamins | N/D | |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.09 mg | 0.60% |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.2 µg | 0.17% |
| Lipids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.001 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.001 g | N/D |
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3156
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