In Vivo Digestibility of Protein Extracted From Brackish Algae Chaetomorpha Sp.

ABSTRACTBackground: Chaetomorpha sp., a species of green brackish algae, has a high biomass distribution in extensive shrimp ponds in Mekong Delta. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the nutritional value of Chaetomorpha sp. algae protein concentrate by assessing its in vivo digestibility and comparing it to soy protein as a reference for food applications.Materials and Methods: Nutritive values such as PER (Protein Efficiency Ratio), NPR (Net Protein Ratio), and BV (Biological Value) were determined through in vivo trials on white mice. These mice were fed test diets containing Chaetomorpha sp. algae protein concentrate (APC), soy protein concentrate (SPC), and a regular diet provided by the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City. The data were collected after 4 weeks of feeding the mice with the different diets. Results:The PER, NPR, and BV values of Chaetomorpha sp. APC were 2.12, 3.28, and 79.32, respectively. These values were comparable to those of SPC and much higher than those of regular rice bran-based diet. Conclusion: The protein concentrate derived from Chaetomorpha sp. algae has a high protein content (76.3% w/w db), possesses good nutritional value, and is a viable source of plant-based protein for food applications.Keywords: Chaetomorpha sp.; green brackish algae; in vivo digestibility; nutritive value; algae protein concentrate