Effect of salinity and fertilization on the growth and sensory attributes of sea grapes, Caulerpa lentillifera

Sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera), also known as "green caviar," are prized for their succulent texture and appearance resembling fish roe. However, their commercial viability faces challenges due to limited research on growth and quality enhancement. For 8 weeks, a 3 × 2 factorial indoor tank culture experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of salinity levels (27, 31, and 35) and fertilizer treatments (with and without) using a ratio of nitrate nitrogen to orthophosphate of 5:1 on sea grape growth and sensory attributes. Results showed that salinity, fertilizer, and their interaction significantly (P < 0.05) influenced sea grape growth. Salinity had a significant impact on all sensory attributes, while fertilizer and its interaction affected appearance, flavor, oceanic freshness, sweetish aftertaste, and taste. In conclusion, the study recommends sea grape cultivation at 35 salinity with fertilizer application for optimal growth and sensory qualities. These findings provide valuable insights for improving sea grape cultivation and enhancing commercial success.