SWC was analyzed by bed volume technique after equilibrating in excess solvent. 200 mg of seaweed was placed in a container with 20 ml of distilled water and vigorously stirred. To measure the effect of temperature on SWC, the sample was left to stand for 24 h in two different temperatures (25 ◦ C and 37 ◦ C). The swelling volume was measured and expressed as ml of swollen sample per g of sample dry weight (DW).