Environmental factors affecting Agar extraction from Grarcilaria corticata in the coastal areas of Persian Gulf, Bandar-e-Lengeh

The effects of environmental factors and season on agar extraction from Gracilaria corticata were investigated for the period 19931094 in the coastal areas of Persian Gulf. Water temperature, water salinity and ammonia and phosphate ions were measured monthly. Mean temperature was found to be 27.8 centigrade, mean salinity was 36.38 PPT., mean amonnia ions was 0.154mgi1 and mean phosphate ions was 0.029mgi1 . After harvesting, Gracilaria were dried and weighed and subjected to the alkali agar extraction method. Maximum and minimum agar yield were obtained in August and December with 10.01% and 5.44% respectively. There was a significant correlation between agar yield, biomass and ammonium fertility. Results showed that the maximum agar yield from Gracilaria was obtained in March and August......