Greenhouse cultivation of Gracilaria verrucosa (Hudson) Papenfuss and determination of chemical composition [Gracilaria verrucosa (Hudson) Papenfuss'n?n Sera Koşullar?nda Yetiştiriciligi ve Kimyasal İçeriginin Belirlenmesi]

The agarophyte Gracilaria verrucosa (Hudson) Papenfuss was cultivated under greenhouse conditions in Modified Johnson Medium over a 5-month period. Biomass productivity ranged between 5.00 g L-1 to 16.37 g L-1 and the highest biomass was obtained in December. Relative growth rate (RGR) varied from 4.03±1.63 to 1.21±0.34% day-1. While the highest percentages of protein were found in December (20.28±0.94% of dw), the lowest percentages were in March (14.99±0.14% of dw). Phosphorus content ranged from 101.66±3.11 ppm (march) to 114.03±5.44 ppm (december). The lipid concentrations of G. verrucosa were measured within 2.39±0.77% dw and 2.66±0.94% dw. The agar yiel were determined between 9.65±1.12 and 18.64±2.38% of dw in december and march. The melting and gelling temperatures were stable through the experiment. The highest and the lowest values for both melting and gelling temperatures were 39.00±0.35°C (december) - 34.00±0.32°C (march) and 86.50±0.30°C (march) - 85.50±040°C (february), respectively. As a result of this study G. verrucosa could be cultivated in greenhouse conditions succesfully. Depending on the high growth rates, high concentrations of crude protein, phosphorus and agar of Gracilaria we conclude that it can be cultivated in greenhouse conditions. © Central Fisheries Research Institute (CFRI) Trabzon.