Effects of different concentrations of ammonium phosphate on the yield and quality of carrageenan, Kappaphycus striatus (Schmitz) Doty ex Silva

Abstract

This study determined the effect of different concentrations of ammonium phosphate on the yield and quality (gel strength, viscosity, syneresis, gelling, and melting temperature) of carrageenan. The study was conducted at the Seaweeds Post-Harvest Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Mindanao State University for 33 days. The experiment involved four treatments and three replications. The four treatments were the different concentrations of ammonium phosphate (g/L) namely; Treatment 1 (T1) - 0g/L, Treatment 2 (T2) – 3 g/L, Treatment 3 (T3) – 6 g/L, Treatment 4 (T4) – 9 g/L. The results showed that the application of ammonium phosphate significantly reduced the yield and viscosity of the carrageenan by 4.81% and 1.83cPs respectively. Gel strength was enhanced by 1.53g in T2 (3/L). Control showed the best syneresis compared to the other treatment. The syneresis was significantly decreased by 5.43% with the application of ammonium phosphate. The fertilizer seemed not to have any effect on the gelling and melting temperature of the carrageenan. Ammonium phosphate is therefore not recommended for growing Kappaphycus striatus for carrageenan.