Valor i composició nutricional de les algues

Abstract

[cat] El consum d’algues s’ha incrementat durant aquests últims anys. Aquestes es poden classificar per la seva grandària en micro i macroalgues. Però, quin és el valor nutricional d’aquestes? Són segures per al consumidor? Per contestar aquestes preguntes aquest article de revisió ha estat basat principalment en articles científics recents cercats a diferents bases com PubMed o Scopus. Tant les microalgues com les macroalgues es componen majoritàriament de carbohidrats, seguit de proteïnes, lípids, minerals i vitamines. En general destaquen pel seu contingut en polisacàrids complexos, àcids grassos poliinsaturats com EPA i DHA, una composició d’aminoàcids similar a la de l’ou i la soja, múltiples vitamines, com ara provitamines A i B12 i minerals entre ells sodi, potassi, ferro i iode. Aquesta composició nutricional és la que les ha posat en valor al mercat, com a suplements d’EPA, DHA o vitamina B12. També pels seus beneficis com antioxidants, propietats antivirals, anticancerígenes i anticoagulants, entre altres. Ara bé, cal tenir en compte la possible acumulació de tòxics, com metalls pesants, plaguicides o un excés de iode que es podria produir pel seu consum.

[eng] The consumption of seaweed has increased in recent years. They can be classified according to their size into micro and macroalgae. But what is the nutritional value of these? Are they safe for the consumer? In order to answer these questions, this review article has been based mainly on recent scientific articles searched in different databases such as PubMed or Scopus. Both microalgae and macroalgae are mainly composed of carbohydrates, followed by proteins, lipids, minerals, and vitamins. In general, they are notable for their content of complex polysaccharides, polyunsaturated fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, an amino acid composition similar to eggs and soya, multiple vitamins, such as pro-vitamin A and B12, and minerals including sodium, potassium, iron and iodine. It is this nutritional composition that has placed them on the market as supplements for EPA, DHA and vitamin B12. Also, for their benefits as antioxidants, antiviral, anticancer and anticoagulant properties, among others. However, it is important to consider the possible accumulation of toxins, such as heavy metals, pesticides or an excess of iodine that could be produced by its consumption.