Identification by SDS PAGE of green seaweeds (Ulva and Enteromorpha) used in the food industry

SDS PAGE was tested as an analytical tool for the identification of four green algae (Ulva rigida, U. rotundata, Enteromorpha intestinalis, E. compressa) used as food ingredients. A reference pattern composed of the bands present all year long was performed for each species. The pattern for Ulva rotundata consists of 7 bands located between 69.9 and 15.5 kDa with the presence of triplicate bands at 29.5, 26.3 and 22.9 kDa. The pattern for Ulva rigida is consists of three bands with apparent molecular weights of 68.5, 56.4 and 44.7 kDa. The Enteromorpha compressa pattern is characterised by six bands located between 65.8 and 19.8 kDa. A double band with molecular weights of 23.1 and 23.9 distinguished this pattern from the others. Six bands situated between 66.4 and 19.4 kDa with a specific triplicate band of 25.9, 23.9 and 22.5 kDa constituted the specific pattern of Enteromorpha intestinalis. SDS PAGE appears to be suitable for the identification of green seaweed foods.