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In this paper, the application of a non-ionic detergent Cremophor EL for monomerization of chlorophyll a in an aqueous medium is studied. The spectrophotometric properties of chlorophyll a encapsulated into the Cremophor EL nano-emulsion system were characterized by electronic absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence as well as circular dichroism spectroscopy. The results have shown that chlorophyll a dissolves more efficiently in the aqueous medium containing low-level Cremophor (5 wt%) than at an ethanolic solution even in the concentration of 10 -4 M. The molecular organization of the chlorophyll a in the Cremophor EL nano-micelles was also investigated by means of Raman spectroscopy. The spectral changes in the frequency of the C=O stretching group were used to distinguish the aggregation state of chlorophyll. It was revealed that chlorophyll a exists dominantly in the monomeric form in the Cremophor EL aqueous solution. The promising aspect of the use of Cremophor EL nano-emulsion as a delivery system is to maintain stable chlorophyll monomer in an aqueous medium. It would open the potential for a new, practical application of chlorophyll a in medicine, as a dietary supplement or studies on molecular organization of chlorophyll a in the well-defined artificial system.

The present study sought to evaluate the nutritional composition and physicochemical properties of two dried commercially interesting edible red seaweeds, Gracilaria corticata and G. edulis . Proximate composition of the dried seaweeds revealed a higher content in carbohydrates (8.30 g/100 g), total crude protein (22.84 g/100 g) and lipid content (7.07 g/100 g) in G. corticata than in G. edulis . Fatty acids profile showed that G. corticata samples contain higher concentrations of saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic and stearic acids, and polyunsaturated ones such as α-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids. Contrariwise, G. edulis contained higher amounts of monounsaturated oleic acid. Total amino acid content was 76.60 mg/g in G. corticata and 65.42 mg/g in G. edulis , being the essential amino acid content higher in G. edulis (35.55 mg/g) than in G. corticata (22.76 mg/g). Chlorophyll a was found in significantly higher amounts in G. edulis (17.14 μg/g) than G. corticata , whereas carotenoid content was significantly higher in G. corticata (12.98 μg/g) than in G. edulis . With respect to physical properties, both water- and oil-holding capacities were similar in both seaweeds, whereas swelling capacity was higher in G. edulis . In view of the results, the present study suggests that G. corticata and G. edulis contains important nutrients for human health and are possible natural functional foods.