Nour M. auteur aut IRD Stiger-Pouvreau V. auteur aut IRD Daher A. auteur aut IRD Connan S. auteur aut IRD Ali A. auteur aut IRD Marchand L. auteur aut IRD Waeles M. auteur aut IRD Petek Sylvain auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access This study evaluated the nutritional composition and potential food applications of marine macroalgae from the Tadjourah Gulf (Djibouti), including brown (Padina pavonica, Sargassum ilicifolium, S . latifolium , Turbinaria decurrens), green (Ulva clathrata), and red (Hypnea musciformis) species. Analyses focused on their proximate composition, bioactive phenolics, mineral and trace elements, heavy metal content, and recommended daily Allowance (RDA). Hypnea and Ulva were rich in carbohydrates, while Turbinaria exhibited high amino acid levels. Padina stood out for its high chlorophyll a, c, carotenoids, phenolic content, and associated antioxidant activities. It also provided significant amounts of essential minerals, with RDA > 15% for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc, positioning it as a valuable source for nutritional supplementation. All species complied with regulatory standards for heavy metal content, ensuring their safety for food consumption. Sensory evaluations highlighted their culinary potential in traditional dishes like doughnuts (seaweed flour) and tartare (seaweed flakes), with Hypnea, Ulva, Padina, and S. ilicifolium showing promising results. These findings positioned Djiboutian seaweeds as novel ingredients in traditional and modern food recipes and contributed to developing new supplements, recipes, and functional foods to diversify food in Djibouti. Moreover, it could strengthen food security in Djibouti, where addressing nutritional challenges is critical. specialized algal flour and flakes Djiboutian macroalgae functional food ORAC polyphenols trace element DJIBOUTI ADEN GOLFE TADJOURAH GOLFE 054 034 020 13 9 e70956 [17 p.] 2025 2048-7177 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095031 10.1002/fsn3.70956 2048-7177 [F B010095031] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095031 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2025-11/010095031.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2025-11-18 2025-11-18 fdi:010095031 fre