Rey Anthony C. Bayag, Rommar B. Lindogan, Ellazar V. Nilangar (February 2000)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study aimed at determining whether or not there is considerable moisture, phosphorus, and nitrogen contained in the different macroalgae found in San Isidro, Sibunag, Guimaras. It specifically determined and compared the moisture, phosphorus, and nitrogen content of the different algae, and determined whether or not there is a significant difference in their moisture, phosphorus, and nitrogen content. It was hypothesized that there exists no significant difference in their (a) moisture, (b) phosphorus, and (c) nitrogen content.
Five macroalgae species namely (1) Enteromorpha intestinalis, (2) Caulerpa urvilliana, (3) Halimeda taenicola, (4) Halimeda macroloba, and (5) Sargassum polycystum were gathered from the study site, and were identified using the taxonomic keys by Luhan, Hurtado-Ponce, Guanzon, and Trono (1992). About 2 grams of each sample were prepared for each of the two replicates, in each of the three determinations. The sample were analyzed in the analytical laboratory of Southeast Asian Fisheries and Development Center in Tigbauan, Iloilo. Statistical tools used were the mean, the Multiple Analysis of Variance and the Scheffe test.
Results of the moisture content determination showed that E. intestinalis contained the most moisture and H. taenicola has the least moisture. In the phosphorus content determination, results showed that E. intestinalis has the highest phosphorus content and H. macroloba has the least phosphorus content. In the nitrogen content determination, results showed that E. intestinalis contained the highest nitrogen content and H. macroloba contained the least nitrogen content. The Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) showed that there were significant differences in the moisture, phosphorus, and nitrogen contents among the macroalgae collected.