Solar irradiation as an alternative bleaching process for agar extracted from Gracilariopsis heteroclada in Iloilo, Philippines
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2019-07-30Metadata
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Abstract
The current industrial practice of using chemical bleach to achieve the pure white colour of agar is deleterious to both human and environmental health. This study evaluates the potential of solar irradiation as an alternative bleaching process for agar extracted from Gracilariopsis heteroclada in Iloilo, Philippines. The physico-chemical properties of agar obtained from alkaline-treated seaweed after exposure to different bleaching conditions (e.g. solar irradiation, hypochlorite solution, and ultraviolet and fluorescent lights) were examined and compared with commercial bacteriological agar. Photobleaching through solar irradiation produced agar with superior gel strength (1038.61 g cm−2), high 3,6-anhydrogalactose content (41.44%) and low total inorganic sulphate content (1.87%) without compromising agar yield (19.37%). Solar irradiation offers very promising results as a simple, low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to the chlorine bleaching process for agar extraction.
Citation
Endoma, L. F., Nacional, L. M., & Luhan, M. R. J. (2019). Solar irradiation as an alternative bleaching process for agar extracted from Gracilariopsis heteroclada in Iloilo, Philippines.Publisher
De GruyterSubject
Acknowledgment/Sponsorship
This study was funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute – Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (DOST-SEI ASTHRDP) and the University of the Philippines Visayas Thesis Support Grant. The authors would like to acknowledge the Institute of Fish Processing Technology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, and the Seaweed Laboratory of the Southeast Asian Fisheries and Development Center – Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD) for providing access to laboratory facilities.
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Conference paper
Utilization of seaweed resources
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Book | Conference publication
Proceedings of the National Seaweed Planning Workshop held on August 2-3, 2001, SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, Tigbauan, Iloilo.
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