Mineral Composition of Subcritical Water Extracts of Saccorhiza Polyschides, a Brown Seaweed Used as Fertilizer in the North of Portugal

Abstract

The present work aimed at studying Saccorhiza polyschides extracts obtained by subcritical water extraction as a potential source of essential macro and trace elements, aiming for its potential application as a biofertilizer. The mineral composition, as well as sulfate, chlorine and iodine, total organic matter, and total nitrogen content, were determined on the extracts obtained from seaweeds harvested during low tide at the northern Portuguese coast. The selected parameters are important for a biofertilizer. Among the macronutrients, the most abundant was K (15.7 ± 0.2 g/L), followed by Na (5.46 ± 0.11 g/L), S (1.52 ± 0.06 g/L), Ca (1.09 ± 0.11 g/L), and Mg (1.02 ± 0.08 g/L). Several important micronutrients (Zn, B, Cl, P, Mo, V, Se, and I) have also been found in the extracts. The total organic matter was 34.1 ± 0.3 g/L. The extracts present low levels of toxic compounds such as Ni, Cd, and Pb. Considering the composition of the obtained extracts, these can find application in the development of fertilization products. The composition of subcritical water extracts of S. polyschides suggests that they may have important characteristics as a biofertilizer and can be an option in biofortification experiments with essential nutrients. The method can be easily scaled up which makes it attractive for agricultural applications.