Effect of salinity on growth, agar content and gel strength for two agaroid seaweed species: Gracilariopsis longissima and Gracilaria gigas
Nauta, R.W.; Ariyati, R.W.; Widowati, L.L.; Debrot, A.O.; Rejeki, S. (2025). Effect of salinity on growth, agar content and gel strength for two agaroid seaweed species: Gracilariopsis longissima and Gracilaria gigas. Egypt. J. Aquatic Res. 51(4): 524-528. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejar.2025.07.004
In: Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research. Ministry of Scientific Research, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries: Alexandria. ISSN 1687-4285; e-ISSN 2090-3278, more
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| Keywords |
Aquaculture
Gracilaria gigas Harvey, 1860 [WoRMS]; Gracilariopsis longissima (S.G.Gmelin) Steentoft, L.M.Irvine & Farnham, 1995 [WoRMS]
Indonesia [Marine Regions]
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| Author keywords |
Brackish; Pond; Hydrocolloid |
| Authors | | Top |
- Nauta, R.W., more
- Ariyati, R.W.
- Widowati, L.L.
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| Abstract |
In Indonesia two species of Rhodophyte macroalgae are commonly cultured in brackish coastal ponds in a range of fluctuating salinity conditions. These are Gracilariopsis longissima and Gracilaria gigas. To evaluate species performance under the relevant range of salinities, we performed replicate laboratory experiments in which both species were exposed to different salinities ranging from 5 ppt to 30ppt under semi-controlled conditions. Highest growth rates were observed for G. longissima at a salinity of 10ppt. while for G. gigas similar highest growth rates were observed at 10ppt and 15ppt. However, G. gigas growth was less sensitive to small salinity differences at the lower salinity range whereas G. longissima performed better and more stable than G. gigas at the higher salinity range of 15 – 20 ppt. Apart from a few notable exceptions, G. longissima had a generally higher agar content than G. gigas, whereas G. gigas had a generally higher gel strength than, G. longissima. Our results show that neither species was superior in growth and quality criteria than the other species along the whole range of brackish water salinity conditions and farmers need to choose between them depending on their pond conditions and market quality criteria. |
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