QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Powell, R. C. Articles by McDowell, M. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Powell, R. C. Articles by McDowell, M. E.

Algae Feeding in Humans^1,2,

United States Army Medical Research and Nutrition Laboratory, Fitzsimons General Hospital, Denver, Colorado

Human feeding of algae was studied in volunteers by adding algae as a supplement to the diet in amounts varying from 10 to 500 gm per man per day. Although the bitter, strong, spinach-like flavor predominated in all foods supplemented with algae, the most acceptable preparations were cookies, chocolate cake, gingerbread, and cold milk. Amounts up to 100 gm per man daily were tolerated by all.

When larger amounts were added, gastrointestinal symptoms were more prominent. These included nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, flatulence, lower abdominal cramping pains, and bulky hard stools. No other evidence of toxicity was found and the gastrointestinal symptoms disappeared shortly after the algae was discontinued. It was concluded that algae in this form (heat treated, dried algae) can be tolerated as a food supplement but further processing will be necessary if algae it to be useful as a major food source. Methods to improve both acceptability and digestibility are needed.

² The volunteer subjects in this study were provided through the cooperation of Dr. Norman E. Witt, Professor of Chemistry, University of Colorado, and the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, (contract no. DA-49-007-MD-549).

Manuscript received 27 March 1961.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M.M. R. Fuentes, F.G A. Femandez, J.A. S. Perez, M.D. G. Garcia, and J.L.G. Guerrero Nota. Composicion nutritiva de la biomasa de la microalga Porphyridium cruentum / Note. Nutrient composition of the biomass of the microalga Porphyridium cruentum Food Science and Technology International, January 1, 2000; 6(2): 129 - 135. [Abstract] [PDF]