Secondary Metabolites Content of Seaweed (Sargassum sp.) Based on the Different Drying Methods

Sargassum sp. is a non-consumable and underutilized seaweed that is considered waste, although it has the potential to provide secondary metabolites to ruminants. The purpose of this study was to see how different drying processes affected the secondary metabolite content of the seaweed Sargassum sp seaweed. Gunungkidul Yogyakarta, Indonesia, provided the Sargassum sp seaweed. They were rinsed with seawater after being collected to remove any unwanted materials. Sun-drying (drying for three days from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), oven-drying (at 55°C for four days), and freeze-dryer-drying were the three methods used to dry Sargassum sp. (at -20 o C for 3 days from 07.30 to 3.30 pm). The seaweed was then pulverized using a Willey mill, and the secondary metabolite content was determined using the UV-vis Spectrophotometer technique. Using SPSS, the data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The sun-drying, oven, and freeze-drying treatments of the seaweed Sargassum sp. had no significant influence (P>0.05) on total alkaloids and saponins but did have a significant effect (P<0.05) on flavonoids, tannins, and total phenols. Sun-drying and oven-drying have nearly identical secondary metabolite concentrations, while both are lower than freeze-dryer drying.