Immune Nutrient Content of Sea Urchin (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Diadema setosum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Gonads

Wa Ode Salma

doi:10.11648/j.ijnfs.20160505.13

Abstract

Over population of marine sea urchins (Diadema setosum) may disrupt the growth of Crustose coralline causing the reduction of coral reefs growth. Consumption of Diadema setosum gonads as the alternative food may assists to preserve the balance of coral reefs ecosystem. The Objective of this study was to measure and evaluate the nutrient content of the gonad of Diadema setosum. Mass spectrophotometer was used to measure vitamin and albumin contents, Kjeldahl methods for protein content, and Atomization method for trace elements (Fe, Mg, and Zn) content. The presence of active compounds such as steroids, amino acids and antioxidants were identified by thin-layer chromatograph (TLC). Protein, albumin, vitamin A, vitamin E and trace elements (Fe, Mg, and Zn) were found in the gonad of Diadema setosum. Vitamin E (23.47 mg) was the highest nutrient content compared to other nutrient elements. The extracts of the gonad of Diadema setosum were found to have steroid, amino acids and antioxidant compounds. Overall, nutrient contents and active compounds in the gonad of Diadema setosum are essential components needed for immune system, therefore besides its potency as alternative food source, gonad of Diadema setosum has potency to become the source of immune-nutrient.

Highlights

Population of sea urchin (Diadema setosum) is abundance in Indonesia, especially in the Wakatobi National Marine Park, South Sulawesi Province
Vitamin E is the highest nutrient content found in the gonad
The content of iron we found in 100 gr of Diadema setosum gonads was 0.96 mg wich is equivalent to the iron content in 100 gr of salmon fish, 1.06 mg [38]

Summary

Introduction

Population of sea urchin (Diadema setosum) is abundance in Indonesia, especially in the Wakatobi National Marine Park, South Sulawesi Province. The park has coral triangle consisting of approximately 50,000 ha of coral reefs [1]. A food source for Diadema setosum, belongs to algae family that produce calcium carbonate, animportant component for the formation of coral reefs structure. Wildlife Conservation Society [2] reported that over population of marine sea urchins potentially decreases the population of Crustose coralline. The reduction of coral reefs decreases the population of sea otter [3], the animal which is known play a role in the conservation of coastal ecosystem. The population of sea urchins have to be controlled to prevent ecosystem damage in the sea [4]

Objectives

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Methods

Conclusion