Investigations into Sargassum Brown Algae and the Influence of Environmental Factors on Their Yield and Composition

With the aim of adding value to the brown alga Sargassum, we studied the biochemical composition of this species in relation to ambient temperature, light intensity and rainfall rate. We observed that the overall yield of secondary metabolites from the algae is partially linked to a complementarity between temperature and rainfall. The results indicate that fluctuations also affect the concentrations of natural pigments present in the algae. Consequently, the cellular metabolism of this species could be directed towards the production of the desired metabolite(s), by selecting the right environmental conditions and timing for harvesting the algal biomass.