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Research Article Volume 14 Issue 1
From Waste to Wealth: Nutritional, Ecological and Economic Valorization of the Drifting Brown Algae (Sargassum spp.)
Edah Bernard, Olagunju Goodness E, Igwe Joshua C, Olaiya Olukayode E
Received: February 02, 2026 | Published: March 3, 2026
Citation: Bernard E, Goodness OE, Joshua IC, et al. From Waste to Wealth: Nutritional, Ecological and Economic Valorization of the Drifting Brown Algae (Sargassum spp.). J Nutr Health Food Eng. 2026;14(1):41‒46 DOI: 10.15406/jnhfe.2026.14.00386
Abstract
The seasonal influx of the drifting brown algae ( Sargassum spp.) along the Lagos Commodore Channel creates significant ecological and economic challenges, while also offering an underexplored opportunity for sustainable utilization. This study examines the nutritional profile, mineral content, bioactive properties, and environmental safety of dried Sargassum spp. with the aim of evaluating its suitability for value-added economic use and environmentally responsible applications. Drifting samples of Sargassum spp. were harvested from the offshore regions of Lagos Commodore Channel, Nigeria. Samples were rinsed with clean water, oven-dried at a temperature of 45 oC for a period of 48 hours, milled and prepared for analysis. Proximate analysis revealed higher nitrogen-free extract (48 ± 1.03%), crude protein (15.2 ± 0.51%), and ash (13.5 ± 0.11%) contents, making it ideal for use in feed and fertilizer production. Mineral analysis was found to be rich in potassium (4,100 ± 2.52 mg/100g), sodium (2,400 ± 0.61 mg/100g), calcium (1,451 ± 4.11 mg/100g), and iodine (35 ± 1.06 mg/100g), making it ideal for utilization in production of nutraceuticals and agricultural pest control products. The presence of bioactive compounds, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, reflects its invaluable properties in treatment and prevention of diseases and antioxidant properties. Anti-nutrients present include phytic acid and oxalates, both of which are present in safe levels and suitable for use as feed. The detection levels of heavy metals in Sargassum spp. show low presence of cadmium (0.098 mg/kg), and arsenic (0.52 mg/kg), both of which are below regulatory standards, while lead and mercury could not be detected in analysis. These findings demonstrate that dried Sargassum spp. from the Lagos Commodore Channel is nutritionally rich, environmentally safe, and suitable for value-added applications. Its favorable biochemical composition and low contaminant levels support sustainable integration into agro-industrial, nutraceutical, and environmental remediation sectors, offering a practical pathway for transforming marine waste into a valuable resource.
Keywords: Sargassum spp, commodore channel, valorization, circular economy, nutritional composition
©2026 Bernard, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.