Green Alga Ulva Lactuca Research Articles

The Potentiality of Marine Macro-Algae as Bio-Fertilizers to Improve the Productivity and Salt Stress Tolerance of Canola (Brassica napus L.) Plants

The present study aimed to evaluate the potentiality of three seaweeds, which belong to different algal taxa (green alga Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, brown alga Cystoseira spp., and red alga Gelidium crinale (Hare ex Turner) Gaillon) as bio-fertilizers to improve the growth and yield of canola (Brassica napus L.) plants under greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, the impact of seaweeds in alleviating the effects of salt stress (75 and 150 mM NaCl) on canola plants was also investigated. The three examined seaweeds (applied as soil amendments) successfully alleviated the harmful effects of salinity on canola plants by significantly reducing the inhibition of chlorophyll a, b, total carbohydrate accumulation, and growth promoting hormones, while increasing antioxidative compounds, such as phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin, and osmoprotectants, including total carbohydrates and proline. Phytochemical analysis of the three examined seaweeds suggests that their stimulatory effect on growth and productivity under normal and salinity growth conditions may be linked to their constituents of a wide variety of growth promotive hormones, including indole acetic acid, indole butyric acid, gibberellic acid, cytokinins, total carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds. U. lactuca was found to be the best candidate to be used as a bio-fertilizer to improve canola growth, yield, and salt stress tolerance.

LIPID COMPOSITION AND MEMBRANOPROTECTIVE ACTION OF EXTRACT FROM MARINE GREEN ALGAE ULVA LACTUCA (L.)

The object of the present study was a water-alcohol extract obtained from the dried thallus of the marine green alga Ulva lactuca (L.) (syn.: Ulva fenestrate P. et R.) – ulva lettuce. Glycolipids (40.6%) and neutral lipids (34%) prevailed in the lipid fraction of the extract; phospholipids contained 13.4% of the total lipids. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was 50% of the total amount of fatty acids, among which PUFA of the n-3 family predominated (37.43%). On the model of toxic hepatitis induced by the introduction of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (50% solution in olive oil, subcutaneously 2 ml/kg for 4 days), we study the effect of the lipid fraction of U. lactuca extract and the commercial reference preparation Essentiale® on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of erythrocytes and lipid composition of erythrocyte membranes in rats. The introduction of the lipid fraction from the ulva (dose 80 mg of total lipids per kg of body weight) to the animals intragastrically for 7 days after withdrawal of CCl4 exerted a protective effect, which was manifested in the restoration of the erythrocyte size characteristics (average volume and diameter), their osmotic resistance to hemolysis, levels of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione, as well as maintaining of the ratio of phospholipid fractions. Under the damaging effects of CCl4, the lipid fraction from the green alga U. lactuca was not inferior to the effectiveness of reference preparation Essentiale® in restoring of the physiological characteristics of erythrocytes and the phospholipid composition of its membranes.

Изучение профилактического воздействия липидной фракции из морской зеленой водоросли Ulva lactuca на состав жирных кислот фосфолипидных фракций мембран эритроцитов

Изучение профилактического воздействия липидной фракции из морской зеленой водоросли Ulva lactuca на состав жирных кислот фосфолипидных фракций мембран эритроцитов

Outdoor cultivation of Ulva lactuca in a recently developed ring-shaped photobioreactor: effects of elevated CO2 concentration on growth and photosynthetic performance

Abstract Land-based cultivation of marine macroalgae may open up the possibility to produce high quality algal biomass as required in various application areas all year round. In this context, the potential of a recently developed ring-shaped cultivation system with algae moving in a circular way, simulating the movement pattern in a standard tank cultivation vessel was evaluated using the green alga Ulva lactuca. Plants were cultivated under outdoor conditions at ambient (37 μmol CO2 kg−1 seawater) and increased CO2 concentration (152 μmol CO2 kg−1 seawater). Biomass growth and photosynthetic performance of algae were analyzed over a test period of 7 d. Elevated CO2 concentration significantly stimulated algal growth and also helped to compensate the effects of environmental stress conditions. This was indicated by the predominant stability of photosynthetic competence and represented by maximum photosynthetic electron transport rates, efficiency of light-harvesting and photon fluence rates (PFR) saturating photosynthetic electron transport at low PFR. At high PFR, no difference in photosynthetic competence was detected between algae cultivated at the high CO2-concentration and those grown at ambient CO2. Under elevated CO2 concentrations, photochemical energy dissipation decreased more distinctly at low PFR. This may reflect a declining energy demand necessary to maintain photosynthetic capacity. Under elevated CO2, the apparent changes in the quantum yields of regulated and unregulated non-photochemical energy dissipation of PS II at high PFR possibly reflected the enhanced capacity of photoprotection under the prevailing environmental conditions.

Effect of multiple product extractions on bio-methane potential of marine macrophytic green alga Ulva lactuca

Abstract Biomethane Potential (BMP) of green macroalga Ulva lactuca post extraction of sap, ulvan and protein was analysed in batch studies. Extraction was performed in two different ways (individual and sequential) to understand the effect of removal of these components on methane yields. Both the treatments resulted in enhanced biomethane production in most of the treated residues, however, the highest methane yield of 408 ± 20.02 ml CH4 g−1 VS (70.93% of theoretical) was observed in sap and ulvan removed residue (batch VI). The methane production rates improved after both the treatments (0.15–0.28 day−1 for untreated and treated batches). This corroborates well with the fact that high protein and sulphate content are major inhibitors in anaerobic digestion (AD) of U. lactuca and their removal leads to improved methane yields. Sequential extraction of value-added products prior to the AD process not only improves biomass amenability and respective methane yields but also makes the overall process more efficient and viable.

Effet de la supplémentation des polysaccharides de l’algue verte Ulva lactuca sur la pression artérielle et sur les facteurs du risque athérogène, chez des rats consommant un régime riche en lipides

Aim of the studyTo highlight the benefits of green alga Ulva lactuca polysaccharides supplementation on blood pressure and atherogenic risk factors in rats fed a high fat diet. MethodsWistar male rats were fed a high fat diet (30% sheep fat) for 3 months. At an average body weight (BW) of 360g, the rats (n=18) were divided into 3 groups and consumed, for 28 days, either a high fat diet (HFD) or a high fat diet enriched with 1% of whole green algae (WGA) powder or with 1% of its polysaccharides (PLS). ResultsIn HFD, WGA and PLS supplementation reduced BW and food intake. WGA and PLS compared to HFD reduced systolic (PAS) (−17% and −19%) and diastolic (PAD) blood pressure (−38% and −39%), serum glucose (−37% and −30%, respectively), insulinemia (−55% and −74%, respectively), serum and hepatic total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol levels, as well as the total cholesterol concentration of low and very low density lipoproteins. The same, atherogenicity ratios and membrane fluidity decreased in the WGA and PLS vs HFD while lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity increased (51 and 41% respectively). ConclusionUlva lactuca and its polysaccharides, one of the bioactive compounds of this macroalga, seem to have hypotensive, hypoglycemic, hypolipaemic and antiatherogenic properties that can correct or prevent certain cardiovascular complications linked to a high fat diet.

Utilization of different macroalgae by abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino: Evidence from analyses of fatty acid profiles

The use of different algal species by the abalone Haliotis discus hannai was investigated by using fatty acids (FAs) as trophic markers. Each of six groups of abalones was fed a different diet consisting of powdered algae over an 84-day period. Of the six diets, three consisted of a single algal species, i.e., the brown alga Laminaria japonica (L), the green alga Ulva lactuca (U), and the red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis (G). The remaining three diets had different 1:1 mixtures of the algal species, i.e., L. japonica and U. lactuca (LU), L. japonica and G. lemaneiformis (LG), and U. lactuca and G. lemaneiformis (UG). The FA profiles of the abalone soft body showed clear changes over the experimental period and differed significantly between the different diet groups. Analyses of variation of specific FAs and multidimensional scaling ordination of overall FA profiles showed that H. discus hannai absorbed L. japonica preferentially over G. lemaneiformis in the dietary group LG and discriminated against U. lactuca in groups LU and UG. Additionally, abalone in group LG had the highest specific growth rate (SGR = 0.73 ± 0.06% d−1), while those in group U had the lowest (0.36 ± 0.07% d−1). Our results for dietary preferences and growth performance suggest that G. lemaneiformis might be used as an alternative to the kelp L. japonica in the diet of farmed H. discus hannai, while U. lactuca may not be suitable.

Biorefinery of the macroalgae Ulva lactuca: extraction of proteins and carbohydrates by mild disintegration

The effect of osmotic shock, enzymatic incubation, pulsed electric field, and high shear homogenization on the release of water-soluble proteins and carbohydrates from the green alga Ulva lactuca was investigated in this screening study. For osmotic shock, both temperature and incubation time had a significant influence on the release with an optimum at 30 °C for 24 h of incubation. For enzymatic incubation, pectinase demonstrated being the most promising enzyme for both protein and carbohydrate release. Pulsed electric field treatment was most optimal at an electric field strength of 7.5 kV cm−1 with 0.05 ms pulses and a specific energy input relative to the released protein as low as 6.6 kWh kgprot−1. Regarding literature, this study reported the highest protein (~ 39%) and carbohydrate (~ 51%) yields of the four technologies using high shear homogenization. Additionally, an energy reduction up to 86% was achieved by applying a novel two-phase (macrostructure size reduction and cell disintegration) technique.

Biosorption of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Industrial Effluent by Non-living Biomass of Two Marine Green Algae Ulva lactuca and Dunaliella salina as Biosorpents

The growing industries in Suez Gulf lead to two serious environmental problems, heavy metals pollution, and eutrophication. The present work focused on, how those two problems can solve each other. Therefore, non-living dried biomass of the most blooming algae, Ulva lactuca and Dunaliella in Suez Gulf were used as biosorpents to remove heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni and Cr) from two types of aqueous industrial effluents, belonging to petrochemicals (E.1) and fertilizers (E.2) production. The results clarify that Biosorption capacity of D. salina was more powerful for Cd, Zn and Pb within E.1, especially in case of lead (22.34 mg.g-1) showing distinct gap with E.2 (7.63 mg.g-1). However, U. lactuca was more efficient for Fe (4.07- 15.86 mg.g-1) and Cu (0.83- 11.49 mg.g-1) within E.1, meanwhile it gave its maximum (2.75- 10.9 mg.g-1) within E.2 with significant capacity in case of Mn. On the other hand, anent the removal efficiencies, Cu, Fe and Mn had maximum removal efficiencies by U. lactuca within both effluents (91.8, 87.2 and 84.8% respectively) with a superiority of E.2. However, in case of Zn (87.4%), Pb (86.2%) and Cd (81.5%), D. salina was most efficiency. In conclusion, this work confirms the potential use of U. lactuca for removal of Cu, Fe, and Mn, however, D. salina was more powerful in removing Cd, Zn, and Pb from industrial wastewater.

Algal biomass: A sustainable, economical and renewable approach for microbial production of pectinolytic enzymes using submerged and solid state fermentation techniques

In the past decade, algal waste has been used as useful natural resource for production of enormous range of products that have wide economical and commercial importance. Pectinases are group of enzymes that have wide commercial applications. Hence, current study was designed to utilize algal biomass for the production of pectinases using submerged (SmF) and solid state fermentation (SSF) techniques. Different algal sources including brown (Dictyopteris polypodioides, Sargassum wightii and Dictyopteris divaricata) and green algae (Ulva lactuca and Codium tomentosum) were used and U. lactuca was found to be the most suitable substrate. Several bacterial and fungal strains were screened and among them Bacillus licheniformis KIBGE-IB4 was selected based on maximum pectinase production. SmF and SSF were studied utilizing U. lactuca as a substrate and results revealed that enzyme production was favoured by SmF (2457 ± 3.31 U mg−1) as compared to SSF (1432 ± 1.46 U mg−1). Parametric optimization of pectinase production indicated that B. licheniformis KIBGE-IB4 requires 10.0 g L–1 U. lactuca as a biomass in the medium with a pH 7.0 when incubated at 37 °C for 24 hours. Likewise, production of pectinase using algal resource was also compared with that of the conventional agricultural biomass and it was observed that when U. lactuca was used, the selected bacterial isolate produced a higher yield of enzyme than sugarcane bagasse and rice husk. Hence, it is anticipated that algal biomass can be efficiently utilized as an environmental friendly bioresource for the production of industrially important hydrolytic enzymes.

Effects of Biochemical and Molecular Inhibitors of Plant Extracts on Pathogenic Bacteria

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the green alga Ulva lactuca and medicinal plant Nigella sativa extract on the activity of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacteria were incubated with the crude extracts and extracellular free potassium and phosphorus ions were measured in the medium. The levels of potassium and phosphorous were the maximum in the medium of S. aureus treated with N. sativa extract. The medium of P. aeruginosa incubated with U. lactuca extract was found to have the lowest phosphorous and the greatest potassium levels. The highest activity against P. aeruginosa was noticed with U. lactuca extract, where it caused reduction in the dry weight and glucose consumption of bacteria estimated by 28.41% and 41.09%, respectively. The antibacterial activity of N. sativa extract was the greatest against S. aureus and recorded 32.59% and 39.96% reduction in the bacterial dry weight and glucose uptake, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy study showed morphological changes in the cell wall of treated bacteria. The treatment of bacteria with the tested extract induced gene mutations. The results assessed the possible application of U. lactuca and N. sativa as a source of pharmacological benefits.

BIOSCREENING OF THE METHANOLIC CRUDE EXTRACT OF ULVA LACTUCA AND ITS WATER FRACTION

medicine for various purposes. Recently, aquatic habitats have increasing been shown to provide a rich source of natural bioactive compounds. Green algae Ulva lactuca is a widespread macro algae occurring at all levels of the intertidal zone, in calm and protected harbours as deep as 10 meters and in northern climates. Many of its nutrients include iron, protein (15%), iodine, vitamins (A, B1, and C) and trace elements. The present study investigated the bioactivity of Ulva lactuca methanolic crude extract and its water fraction. Also we identified on their different bioactive constituents using high performance liquid chromatography technique. Our results showed that methanolic crude extract of Ulva lactuca and its water fraction had phenolic and flavonoid active constituents acting in synergism to increase their bioactivity such as antioxidant, antiinflamatory and antihemolytic activities. Through 15 days, there was no mortality detected among mice injected with Ulva water fraction different doses. Therefore, we could not calculate the LD50 and accounted it as safe agent. Finally we concluded that Ulva water fraction safe to be used in the treatment of oxidative stress and inflammation related disorders.

The antioxidant and stress-protective properties of an extract from the green alga Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, 1753

The effects of an extract from the green alga Ulva lactuca and the Essentiale® commercial preparation, which was used as a reference, on the weight indexes of the viscera and the biochemical markers of the liver have been studied in a model of acute stress in rats. Acute stress was simulated by suspending animals in the upright position by their neck dorsal skin fold for 24 hours. Administration of the U. lactuca extract to rats exposed to the extreme stress resulted in a pronounced preventive action, which was manifested in the support of the weight index of their viscera, lipids metabolism, the antioxidant defense system of liver, and a reduction of lipid peroxidation. The extract from U. lactuca was no less effective in protecting the metabolic reactions of the liver under acute stress than the Essentiale® commercial preparation. The pronounced protective properties of the U. lactuca extract are explained by the combined effects of phospholipids of marine origin, n-3 PUFAs, and antioxidant polyphenols that comprise it.

Utilization of different macroalgae by sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus revealed by carbon stable isotope analysis

AEI Aquaculture Environment Interactions Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections AEI 8:171-178 (2016) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00173 Utilization of different macroalgae by sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus revealed by carbon stable isotope analysis Bin Wen1,2, Qin-Feng Gao1,2,*, Shuang-Lin Dong1,2, Yi-Ran Hou1,2, Hai-Bo Yu1,2 1Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266003, PR China 2Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266003, PR China *Corresponding author: qfgao@ouc.edu.cn ABSTRACT: Understanding the feeding habit of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) is crucial for improving aquaculture techniques of this commercially important species. In the present study, carbon stable isotopes were used as trophic tracers to investigate the uptake of different macroalgae, including brown alga Sargassum muticum, red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis and green alga Ulva lactuca by A. japonicus. A 70 d experiment was conducted to examine the carbon isotopic signatures of A. japonicus feeding on 6 different types of diets containing either pure powder of a single alga species or mixtures of 2 algae species. After the feeding trial, carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of A. japonicus showed significant changes and reflected the isotopic compositions of corresponding diets. An isotope mixing model revealed the dietary preferences of A. japonicus between the 3 species of macroalgae, suggesting that green alga U. lactuca was the preferentially utilized food source of A. japonicus, followed by brown alga S. muticum. A. japonicus tended to reject red alga G. lemaneiformis in the presence of multiple macroalgae choices. Moreover, the specific growth rates of A. japonicus fed on S. muticum and U. lactuca were similar, but were both significantly higher than those fed on G. lemaneiformis, indicating the direct link between the feeding preferences and growth performance of A. japonicus. KEY WORDS: Apostichopus japonicus · Macroalga · Stable isotope · Growth Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Wen B, Gao QF, Dong SL, Hou YR, Yu HB (2016) Utilization of different macroalgae by sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus revealed by carbon stable isotope analysis. Aquacult Environ Interact 8:171-178. https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00173 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in AEI Vol. 8. Online publication date: March 30, 2016 Print ISSN: 1869-215X; Online ISSN: 1869-7534 Copyright © 2016 Inter-Research.

Mercury concentrations in the coastal marine food web along the Senegalese coast.

This paper presents the results of seasonal (wet and dry seasons) and spatial (five sites) variation of mercury concentration in seven marine organisms representative for shallow Senegalese coastal waters and including species of commercial importance. Total mercury levels were recorded in the green algae (Ulva lactuca); the brown mussel (Perna perna); the Caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus); and in the liver and muscles of the following fish: Solea senegalensis, Mugil cephalus, Saratherondon melanotheron, and Sardinella aurita. The total selenium (Se) contents were determined only in the edible part of Perna perna, Penaeus kerathurus and in the muscles of Sardinella aurita and Solea senegalensis. Hg concentration in fish species was higher in liver compared to the muscle. Between species differences in Hg, concentrations were recorded with the highest concentration found in fish and the lowest in algae. The spatiotemporal study showed that there was no clear seasonal pattern in Hg concentrations in biota, but spatial differences existed with highest concentrations in sites located near important anthropogenic pressure. For shrimp, mussel, and the muscles of sardine and sole, Hg concentrations were below the health safety limits for human consumption as defined by the European Union. The Se/Hg molar ratio was always higher than one whatever the species or location suggesting a protection of Se against Hg potential adverse effect.

Photosynthetic contribution of UV-A to carbon fixation by macroalgae

:Previous studies showed that energy of ultraviolet light A (UV-A) (315–400 nm) could be used for photosynthesis by some macroalgae; however, little has been documented on the extent of such photosynthetic contribution among different macroalgal taxa. We selected 11 macroalgal species, representing red, brown and green phyla, and investigated their ability to utilize UV-A for photosynthesis. Our results showed that, in the absence of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), UV-A alone triggered photosynthetic carbon fixation rates in all the selected species. The gross photosynthetic rates of the tested macroalgae when exposed to UV-A ranged from 6.5 ± 0.3 to 52.3 ± 1.8 μmol C g (fresh weight)−1 h−1, with the highest rate found in the green alga Ulva lactuca Linnaeus. The ratio of gross photosynthesis driven by UV-A alone to that by saturating PAR varied from 14% to 22%. The present work demonstrated that macroalgae are capable of utilizing UV-A irradiance to drive photosynthetic carbon fixation, and this was consistent for all the species tested across green, red and brown algae.

Effects of dietary inclusion of benthic matter on feed utilization, digestive and immune enzyme activities of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

A 70-day feeding experiment was conducted to examine the effects of dietary inclusion of benthic matter, which was mainly composed of microalgae, bacteria and clay particles, on the feed utilization, digestive and immune enzyme activities of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers were fed with 6 types of diets with the ingredient of either single algae species or mixture of algae and benthic matter, i.e., single brown alga Sargassum muticum, red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis, green alga Ulva lactuca, mixtures (1:1) of S. muticum and benthic matter, G. lemaneiformis and benthic matter and U. lactuca and benthic matter. After the feeding trial, the feed utilization efficiency, digestive and immune enzyme activities of A. japonicus were remarkably affected by different types of diets. The feed conversion ratio of A. japonicus fed the single G. lemaneiformis was significantly higher than those fed with single S. muticum and those fed on G. lemaneiformis with benthic matter (ANOVA, p<0.05). While the protein efficiency ratios of A. japonicus fed the single algae diets were significantly lower relative to those fed on corresponding mixed diets (ANOVA, p<0.05). The trypsin activity of A. japonicus that fed the single G. lemaneiformis was not only significantly lower than those fed the single S. muticum and single U. lactuca but also significantly lower than those fed on G. lemaneiformis with benthic matter (ANOVA, p<0.05). The amylase and cellulase activities of A. japonicus that fed the single algae diets were significantly lower as compared to the corresponding mixed diet groups (ANOVA, p<0.05). Similarly, the superoxide dismutase and acid phosphatase activities of A. japonicus that fed the single algae diets were significantly lower relative to those fed on corresponding mixed diets (ANOVA, p<0.05). While the alkaline phosphatase activity of A. japonicus fed on G. lemaneiformis with benthic matter was not only significantly higher than those fed the G. lemaneiformis alone but also significantly higher than those fed on S. muticum with benthic matter and U. lactuca with benthic matter (ANOVA, p<0.05). The results of the present study suggested that dietary inclusion of benthic matter might have beneficial effects on the digestive processes, immune responses and growth performance of A. japonicus. Statement of relevanceThe results of the present study can provide the scientific suggestions for optimizing the feed ingredients for farming of sea cucumber A. japonicus.

Use of Sediment and Algae for Biomonitoring the Coast of Hona&amp;#239;ne (Far West Algerian)

Concentrations of Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Ni were determined in the red alga Corallina officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758), the green alga Ulva lactuca (Linnaeus, 1753) and sediment sampled in four stations of the coastline of Hona?ne (extreme Western Algeria). The abundance of metal concentrations in algae and sediment samples, is in the following order: Fe > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd. The schematic representation by PCA reflects a strong correlation of the corallina with Cd and Pb, the ulva with Zn and Ni and sediment with Cu and Fe, in addition, to homogeneity of rehearsals in each matrix. The results of this study validate the use of these species as reliable tools for biomonitoring of metal pollution of coastal ecosystems, even if the levels of heavy metals in sediment and algae from the coastline of Hona?ne are in general, very low compared with those from other geographic areas and by guidelines.

Alleviation of the Effects of Copper Chloride on Vigna unguiculata (L) using Ulva lactuca

Our environment is polluted from heavy metal using industries. It is due to anthropogenic activities. The heavy metals are in excess is toxic to animals, plants and microorganisms. The excess of copper can affect the entire plant systems. Copper is one of the major source pollutants in ocean and terrestrial. To remove the excess copper pollution by biosorption is an easiest technique by using Ulva lactuca. In this present study, Cow pea Vigna unguiculata (L) seedlings were treated with 6 mM copper chloride, water control and Ulva lactuca bio sorbent (2 g/L, 4 g/L, 6 g/L and 8 g/L), its influence on the biochemical, enzymatic and morphometric characteristics were studied. The morphometric parameters such as fresh weight, leaf area, shoot length, dry weight and root length is increased than that of 6 mM treated control. The pigments such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids are steadily increased and anthocyanin content was decreased than the control 6 mM copper chloride. Biochemical characters such as protein and soluble sugar were increased with 6 mM of copper chloride. On the opposing the contents of proline, free amino acid, total phenol and leaf nitrate were decreased in the 6 mM of copper chloride. The enzyme activities such as peroxidase, catalase are decreased and the nitrate reductase is increased. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was employed to conclude the copper in the treated and control plants and 6 mM Cu2+ reveals that vigorously affected the Vigna unguiculata (L) (cow pea) plants and The green algae Ulva lactuca is effectively biosorbed the copper heavy metal and get rid from soil pollution and improve crop yield.

Effects of different feed ingredients on growth, fatty acid profiles, lipid peroxidation and aminotransferases activities of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

A 70-day experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different feed ingredients on the growth, fatty acid (FA) profiles, lipid peroxidation and aminotransferases activities of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers were fed with 6 types of diets with the ingredient of either single algal powder or mixture of algal powder and benthic matter mainly composed of microalgae, bacteria and clay particles, i.e., single brown alga Sargassum muticum (S), red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis (G), green alga Ulva lactuca (U), mixture (1:1) of S. muticum and benthic matter (SB), mixture (1:1) of G. lemaneiformis and benthic matter (GB) and mixture (1:1) of U. lactuca and benthic matter (UB). After the feeding trial, the specific growth rate (SGR) of A. japonicus in the group GB was significantly higher compared to those in the group G while no significant differences were observed between the SB and S groups or between the UB and U groups. The biochemical compositions and FA profiles in the body tissues of A. japonicus were remarkably affected by the corresponding diets. The crude protein content of A. japonicus in the group UB was significantly higher relative to those in the group U while there were no significant differences between the SB and S groups or between the GB and G groups. A. japonicus fed diets containing benthic matter showed similar or elevated concentrations of n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n−3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n−3, DHA) as compared to those cultured with corresponding single algae diets. Moreover, dietary benthic matter improved the antioxidant capacity of A. japonicus to some degree during refrigerated storage at 4°C, and significantly increased the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) except the AST activity of A. japonicus in the group UB. The results of the present study suggested that benthic matter might be used as a suitable substitute for the traditional macroalgae ingredients in A. japonicus feeds. Statement of relevanceThe results of the present experiment provided the scientific foundation for optimizing the ingredients of the artificial feed for the farming of sea cucumber A. japonicus.