Philippine Journal of Science
151 (S1): 185-193, Marine Botany
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 03 Aug 2021

Tracking Iodine Decrease in Commercially Sold
Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskål) J. Agardh
(Chlorophyta, Ulvophyceae) during Storage

Kathleen Amor R. Berones and Leni G. Yap-Dejeto*

Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Visayas
Tacloban College, Magsaysay Boulevard, 6500 Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines

*Corresponding author: lgyapdejeto@up.edu.ph

 

[Download]
Berones KA, Yap-Dejeto L. 2022. Tracking Iodine Decrease in Commercially Sold Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskål)
J. Agardh (Chlorophyta, Ulvophyceae) during Storage. Philipp J Sci 151(S1): 185–193. https://doi.org/10.56899/151.S1.12

 

ABSTRACT

Iodine is known as an essential mineral for thyroid hormone production in humans. It is watersoluble and diffuses into the atmosphere, where it is thought to break ozone molecules. Caulerpa racemosa (Phylum Chlorophyta, Class Ulvophyceae, Order Bropsidales) is a common dietary seaweed believed to be a good source of iodine in the Philippines. As of this writing, there is no record of iodine concentration measurements in harvested C. racemosa from Philippine waters. There is an expected decrease in iodine concentrations from harvested C. racemosa through time. But how fast it decreases and how much of it remains in the seaweed if stored for days is also unknown. This study measured iodine concentration in C. racemosa samples from an area in the Philippines and calculated the daily changes in iodine level concentrations of harvested C. racemosa that were stored. Titration analyses were done every 24 h, with factors such as the algal age, temperature, light, among others, kept constant. Storage conditions were adapted from how local vendors store leftover seaweed merchandise. Results revealed a decrease in iodine levels over time (y = –20.438x + 228.99; R² = 0.8937). The initial concentration (at dry weight) of iodine measured was 196 ppm and dropped to 94.8 ppm on the seventh day. Iodine levels of freshly picked and stored C. racemosa were also compared with the recommended daily iodine intake for humans.