by Chan Ching Ching Jenny. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-127). / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / List of figures --- p.iv / List of tables --- p.vii / List of abbreviations --- p.viii / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Consumption and classification of seaweeds --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Present uses of seaweeds --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- The chemical composition of seaweeds --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Industrial uses - phycocolloids / Chapter 1.2.2.1 --- Alginate --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2.2 --- Carrageenan --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2.3 --- Agar --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3 --- Seasonal variations studies --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4 --- Seaweeds in Hong Kong --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5 --- Seaweeds selected for study / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Sargassum species / Chapter 1.5.1.1 --- Uses of Sargassum --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5.1.2 --- Seasonal variations of Sargassum --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Hypnea species --- p.19 / Chapter 1.6 --- Drying methods used in seaweed studies and industrial processing --- p.20 / Chapter 1.7 --- Significance of the present study --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Materials and methods / Chapter 2.1 --- "Location, seaweed collection, and environmental parameters" --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2 --- Sample preparation --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3 --- Chemical composition analysis / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Protein --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Amino acids --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Dietary fiber --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Sugar --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Ash --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Mineral elements --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Vitamin C --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- Moisture --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4 --- Characterization of alginate from brown seaweed Sargassum hemiphyllum / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Alginate extraction --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Uronic acid block composition determination --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- M/G ratio determination --- p.35 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- Phenol-sulfuric acid method for determination of sugar --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5 --- Characterization of carrageenan from red seaweed Hypnea charoides / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Carrageenan extraction --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Chemical analysis of carrageenan - sulfate content --- p.36 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Physical analysis of carrageenan / Chapter 2.5.3.1 --- Gelling temperature --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5.3.2 --- Gelling concentration --- p.37 / Chapter 2.6 --- Data Analysis --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- "Comparative studies on the effect of sun-drying, oven-drying, and freeze- drying methods on the chemical composition of brown seaweed Sargassum hemiphyllum" / Chapter 3.1 --- Results and discussion / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Color and appearance --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Chemical composition / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- "Protein, dietary fiber, ash, and moisture" --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- Amino acids --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1.2.3 --- Mineral elements --- p.44 / Chapter 3.1.2.4 --- Vitamin C --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Characterization of alginate / Chapter 3.1.3.1 --- Extraction of alginate --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.3.2 --- Uronic acid block composition and M/G ratio --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2 --- Summary --- p.50 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Seasonal variations in the chemical composition of brown seaweed Sargassum hemiphyllum / Chapter 4.1 --- Results and discussion / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Environmental parameters --- p.53 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Morphology --- p.58 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Chemical composition / Chapter 4.1.3.1 --- Protein and amino acids --- p.60 / Chapter 4.1.3.2 --- Dietary fiber and polysaccharide sugars --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1.3.3 --- Ash and mineral elements --- p.69 / Chapter 4.1.3.4 --- Vitamin C --- p.76 / Chapter 4.1.3.5 --- Water and moisture --- p.78 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Characterization of phycocolloid - alginate / Chapter 4.1.4.1 --- Alginate extraction --- p.78 / Chapter 4.1.4.2 --- Uronic acid block composition and M/G ratio --- p.79 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Seasonal variations in the chemical composition of red seaweed Hypnea charoides / Chapter 5.1 --- Results and discussion / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Environmental parameters --- p.82 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Color and appearance --- p.86 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Chemical composition / Chapter 5.1.3.1 --- Protein and amino acids --- p.88 / Chapter 5.1.3.2 --- Dietary fiber and polysaccharide sugars --- p.93 / Chapter 5.1.3.3 --- Ash and mineral elements --- p.97 / Chapter 5.1.3.4 --- Vitamin C --- p.104 / Chapter 5.1.3.5 --- Water and moisture --- p.104 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Characterization of phycocolloid - carrageenan / Chapter 5.1.4.1 --- Carrageenan extraction --- p.106 / Chapter 5.1.4.2 --- Chemical characteristic of carrageenan - sulfate content --- p.109 / Chapter 5.1.4.3 --- Physical characteristics of carrageenan / Chapter 5.1.4.3.1 --- Gelling temperature --- p.110 / Chapter 5.1.4.3.2 --- Gelling concentration --- p.110 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Conclusion --- p.113 / Chapter 6.1 --- Development perspectives of seaweeds --- p.116 / Chapter Chapter 7. --- References --- p.118 / Chapter Chapter 8. --- Appendixes --- p.128