Seasonal variation of carrageenan content extracted from the algal and residual biomass of Kappaphycus alvarezii cultivated in Florianópolis region, Brazil
Keywords:
Polysaccharide, Circular economy, MaricultureAbstract
The macroalgae Kappaphycus alvarezii, approved for cultivation in Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil, in 2020, was initially introduced for carrageenan production but gained prominence due to its aqueous extract’s use as a biofertilizer, generating residual biomass. This study analyzed carrageenan content in algal and residual biomass from two marine farms in SC, seasonally collected. Fresh algal biomass showed an average carrageenan content of 35.8% (g/g of dry weight), compared to 19.7% in residual biomass, with significant seasonal variation. Peak values occurred in spring: 65.7% in algal biomass and 30.1% in residual biomass. The results demonstrate that both algal and residual biomass contain significant carrageenan levels, enabling a dual cultivation system that integrates biofertilizer production with polysaccharide extraction. Residual biomass valorization not only minimizes waste from the algal biofertilizer industry but also paves the way for eco-friendly high-value products, aligning with circular economy principles. These findings validate the techno-economic feasibility of K. alvarezii cultivation in SC and propose a sustainable model that transforms by-products into strategic inputs for aquaculture, fostering resource efficiency and environmental stewardship.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Felipe de Souza Dutra, Aline Nunes, Alex Ricardo Schneider, Alex Alves dos Santos, Eva Regina Oliveira, Giuseppina Pace Pereira Lima, Sidnei Moura, Marcelo Maraschin
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