Potential Contribution to Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of Agar Extracted from Gelidium latifolium (Gelidiaceae, Rhodophyta) as a Mineral Source.

Ca, Na, Mg, K, P, Fe, Zn, Mn, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mo, and Se were determined in agar obtained seasonally from Gelidium latifolium in coast of Black Sea, using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Also, the potential contribution of the agar to the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) was evaluated according to the Basic Nutritional Requirements Guideline released by the Institute of Medicine and the Official Journal of the European Union. The results show that agar extracted from G. latifolium could be used as a food supplement to help meet the DRIs of certain essential minerals and trace elements. In the study, the most dominant macro and micro elements were found to be potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn), respectively. The Na/K ratio of the agar obtained seasonally was found to be below the maximum limits recommended by international organizations (Na/K ≤ 0.6). The Ca/Mg ratio was calculated between 1.44 and 1.55 throughout the year. The Ca/Mg and K/Na ratios were not reflected highly significant difference between seasons. Ion quotient values for extracted agar were between 0.36 and 40.54, so they can reduce hypertension, preeclampsia, and heart disease in human beings. Accordingly, extracted agar from G. latifolium red seaweed were of high quality and safety and might be used in the field of nutrition.