Seaweed Research Articles

Pengaruh Perbedaan Pre-Treatment terhadap Stabilitas Karotenoid dan Fenol pada Ekstrak Sargassum duplicatum selama Penyimpanan

Karotenoid, fukosantin dan fenol merupakan senyawa yang terkandung pada rumput laut Sargassum duplicatum. Senyawa-senyawa ini berperan dalam menghambat radikal bebas. Namun, kemampuan penghambatan radikal bebas senyawa ini mempunyai kestabilan yang rendah, terutama terhadap perlakuan suhu. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menentukan pengaruh pre-treatment suhu tinggi (blanching) dan suhu rendah (pembekuan) serta perlakuan terbaik yang dapat mempertahankan stabilitas senyawa aktif pada ekstrak metanol rumput laut selama penyimpanan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah experimental laboratories menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap (RAL) faktorial 2x5 yaitu pola terbagi menjadi faktor suhu pengolahan (suhu tinggi dan suhu rendah) dan lama penyimpanan (0, 2, 4, 6, dan 8 hari). Blanching dilakukan pada suhu 95 oC sedangkan pembekuan pada suhu -27 oC. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan karotenoid, fukosantin, dan senyawa fenol dengan perlakuan blanching lebih stabil dibandingkan perlakuan pembekuan. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa adanya interaksi antara pre-treatments dan lama penyimpanan yang berpengaruh nyata terhadap nilai total karotenoid, kandungan fukosantin, total kandungan fenol, dan nilai perubahan warna (ΔE).

Multi-taxa inventory of naturalized species in Chile

Here we present a multi-taxa inventory of naturalized alien species recorded on continental Chile and adjacent marine habitats, including eight taxonomic groups. We identified 1,122 species. These comprise 790 vascular plants (terrestrial and aquatic); 31 nonvascular plants [Bryophyta (mosses), Marchantiophyta (liverworts) and Anthocerotophyta (hornworts)]; 18 marine and freshwater macro and micro algae; 71 fungi; 39 terrestrial vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds); 108 insects; 37 marine and freshwater invertebrates and vertebrates (6 polychaetes, 3 mollusks and 28 Pisces); and 28 terrestrial gastropods. For all taxonomic groups, naturalized species were found to mainly be distributed in regions with Mediterranean and temperate climates, with few at either extreme of the country. The invasion curves show that naturalized species first underwent a positive increment, followed by an apparent plateau phase, mainly in vascular plants, insects and vertebrates. In fungi, marine and freshwater macro and microalgae, vertebrates and invertebrates, the cumulative number of naturalized species increased sharply starting in the early 20th century; the lack of collections before 1900 is also evident. When considering naturalized species as a whole, this inventory highlights that the rate of new naturalizations consistently increased after 1950, especially for some taxonomic groups such as insects, fungi, and vascular plants. This multi-taxa inventory of naturalized species provides a platform for national reporting on biodiversity indicators and highlights areas where Chile must invest resources to manage biological invasions.

Eleven New Additions to Marine Macro Algal Flora of Karnataka Coast, India

The present paper reports eleven new additions of marine macro algae, comprising of one phaeophyceae and ten Rhodophyceae, to the seaweed flora of Karnataka coast, India. Besides, an updated checklist of 105 taxa under 55 genera, 31 families and 20 orders of marine macro algae (seaweeds) of Karnataka which includes 42 taxa (40%) of Rhodophyceae, 34 taxa (32%) of Chlorophyceae and 29 taxa (28%) of Phaeophyceae has also been provided.

Screening of in vitro antiviral activity of purified terpenoid extracts of selected sea weeds against chikungunya virus

Currently, the search of novel phytochemicals with unique biological potentialities is a pre-requisite for the designing ideal drugs for the human kind. Sea weeds are bioresources with a broad spectrum of medicinal properties with minimal side effects. Kerala, the Southern state of India reported high incidence of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections in the last several tears. No specific virucidal therapy or effective vaccines are available. This emphasizes the need of searching for phytochemicals as drugs with less cost and more effective. Therefore, an attempt was made in screening purified terpenoid extracts of selected sea weeds as anti-CHIKV potential. In this study the terpenoids composition from the red algae Hypnea musciformis, Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracillaria dura were identified and analyzed by thin layer chromatography and Gas chromatography- Mass spectrum. The methanolic extract of seaweeds was purified by column chromatography and each fraction was eluted by using petroleum ether and ethyl acetate as solvent combination. The analysis of the purified fraction of H. musciformis and K. alvarezii revealed the presence of 8 terpenoid fractions, and G. dura showed only 4 major components respectively. Vero cell lines were employed in the antiviral assays, infected to CHIKV, and treated with varied doses of purified terpenoid extracts. In the antiviral activity, terpenoid extracts of G. dura showed remarkable and promising EC50 inhibitory effect at 1.25 μg/ml. Further, the terpenoid extracts displayed efficient virucidal activity against CHIKV (inhibit around 90%) with 5 μg/ml dosage. As the last phase, terpenoid extracts added at time intervals of 0, 1, 2, 3 post-infection periods still maintained a significant inhibitory potential against CHIKV viral replication. Thus, the overall study suggests that the terpenoid extracts of G. dura may be effectively used in the prevention and treatment of CHIKV infections. Clinical studies may be warranted for designing a promising new anti-CHIKV drug.

Co-digestion of orange peels and marine seaweed with cattle manure to suppress inhibition from toxicants

Traditionally, anaerobic digestion (AD) is applied for the simultaneous generation of energy and treatment of various organic wastes. For example, despite orange peels (OP) and seaweed (SW) are highly available for AD, their physicochemical composition can inhibit the microbiome and collapse the process. In the present work, we examined the combination of OP and SW with livestock manure (MN) at a co-digestion process. At first, batch toxicity tests revealed that D-limonene and gallic acid at 0.2% v/v and 2.28 g L−1 respectively solely inhibit methane generation. At batch assays and based on added volatile solids (VS), the mono-digestion of OP and SW had methane yields of 398.4 ± 9.4 and 348.6 ± 10.2 m3 tVS−1, respectively. Furthermore, continuous mode experiments were conducted in order to examined process performance and bioenergy outcome at the co-digestion of OP, SW, and MN at various organic loading rates and substrate contributions. This work revealed two successful operation strategies when OP and SW were co-digested with manure resulting in methane yields of 264.5 ± 5.2 and 220.5 ± 5.2 m3 tVS−1, respectively. The results of this work potentially could be applied when dealing with other types of algal biomass.

Seaweed resources of the world: a 2020 vision. Part 4

Seaweed resources of the world: a 2020 vision. Part 4

Evaluation of Laminaria digitata and Phragmites australis for biogas production and nutrient recycling

Eutrophication and climate change are major global problems. The sea weed Laminaria digitata and the reed Phragmites australis have the potential to absorb nutrients and CO2 during growth, as well as being a source of renewable energy in the form of biogas. The aim of this study was to evaluate Laminaria digitata and Phragmites australis concerning biogas production and nutrient recycling using a two-stage pilot scale process. The plant has a total volume of 430 L and consists of a hydrolysis bed and an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB). Two experiments were performed; one with Laminaria digitata as the sole substrate and one with a mixture of Laminaria digitata and Phragmites australis. Frozen substrates were placed in the hydrolysis bed and digestion was performed at 305 K during 70 days for Laminaria digitata and 100 days for the mixture of Laminaria digitata and Phragmites australis. The methane yield achieved was approximately 170 L kg−1 volatile substances (273.15 K, 101.3 kPa) in both experiments. These results suggest that Laminaria digitata can be efficiently digested in larger scale and has the potential to contribute to a future sustainable energy mix, considering its relatively high methane yield when anaerobically digested as the sole substrate. Digestion of Phragmites australis needs further development to make use of its full potential.

Review on use of macro algae (seaweed) in fish nutrition

Currently, the search is on for alternative sources of feed ingredients, the main reasons being escalated cost and uncertainty of constant supply of common feed ingredients. The importance of algae as a potential substitute protein source for cultured fish feeding has been documented in recent years. Seaweeds are receiving consideration for their high protein value, essential amino acid content, vitamins and trace metals in fish feeding. As well as marine macro algae could be a potential low-cost source of protein for fish. Moreover, the economic comparison of feed cost indicated that increasing level of fresh and dried gut weed in alternative feeding treatments, commercial feed used for fish growth was reduced leading to significantly reduction of feed cost. Use macro algae (seaweed) in fish diets may improves growth parameters, feed efficiency, physiological activity, carcass quality, disease resistance and reduced stress response. This review describes effects of use macro algae (seaweed) in diets on growth performance of fish.

Predicting the combustion behaviour of compression ignition engine fuelled with biodiesel from Stoechospermum marginatum, a macro algae.

Biodiesel is one among the recent developments in the field of renewable energy research. To enhance the combustion characteristics of compression ignition engine, industry and academicians were working towards clean and renewable energy resource. Algal biodiesel was one of the major research arenas in the recent decade of renewable energy. Bio-oil from marine brown macro algae, Stoechospermum marginatum was used as the test fuel in this study. The purpose of this numerical study was to analyse the combustion behaviour of compression ignition engine when fuelled with Stoechospermum marginatum biodiesel as a fuel. The numerical study was performed using the zero-dimensional combustion model by incorporating the dynamic combustion duration during the heat transfer using the MATLAB Simulink software. The developed model which incorporated the instantaneous combustion duration was a novel approach. Validations of the numerical results on combustion features like in-cylinder pressure, rate of pressure rise, rate of heat release, and cumulative heat release were done by comparing it with the experimental data. The deviation between the numerical and experimental values was found to be within 5 to 6%.

Growth and yield improvement of blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) through foliar application of nutrients in southern zone of Tamil Nadu

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar nutrients on growth, yield and quality of blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper under rainfed condition during summer season 2018 at the research farm of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Kudumiyanmalai, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications having eight treatments namely T1: Control (No foliar spray), T2: Foliar spraying of DAP @ 2%, T3: Foliar spraying of NAA 40 ppm and 100 ppm Salicylic acid, T4: Foliar spraying of Panchagavya @ 3%, T5: Foliar spraying of Agniasthra @ 3%, T6: Foliar spraying of PPFM @ 1%, T7: Foliar spraying of TNAU Pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1, T8: Foliar spraying of sea weed extract @ 1%. Growth and yield attributes were significantly influenced with different treatments and recorded higher value with the foliar spray of TNAU Pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1 at flowering and 15 days later. Maximum grain yield (898 kg ha-1), net return (₹ 30,648 ha-1), higher grain protein and carbohydrate content was obtained with the application of TNAU Pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1, which was at par with treatment of foliar spray of DAP @ 2%.

Kelelahan Kerja pada Pekerja Rumput Laut di Kabupaten Takalar

Kelelahan merupakan kondisi yang umum bagi semua pekerja setelah melakukan pekerjaannya. Salah satu sektor informal yang belum mendapatkan layanan Kesehatan kerja yang memadai adalah pekerja rumput laut. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui hubungan umur, lama kerja, masa kerja, sikap kerja, beban kerja dan proses kerja terhadap kelelahan kerja pada pekerja rumput laut di Kabupaten Takalar. Desain penelitian observasional analitik dengan pendekatan cross sectional study. Sampel pada penelitian ini adalah 74 responden dengan menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara dengan responden menggunakan Kuesioner Alat Ukur Perasaan Kelelahan Kerja (KAUPK2) untuk variabel kelelahan dan lembar kuesioner Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) untuk variabel sikap kerja. Uji chi-square digunakan untuk menganalisis hubungan antar variabel. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pekerja yang mengalami kelelahan kerja sebanyak 27% dan 73% pekerja yang tidak mengalami kelelahan kerja. Adapun hubungan antara umur (p=0,006) dan proses kerja (p=0,030) dengan kelelahan kerja, serta tidak ada hubungan antara lama kerja (p=0,183), masa kerja (p=0,429), sikap kerja (p=0,319) dan beban kerja (p=0,080) dengan kelelahan kerja pada pekerja rumput laut. Saran penulis terhadap pekerja diharapkan untuk memperhatikan waktu istirahat yang cukup dan melakukan peregangan di sela-sela pekerjaan agar dapat mencegah kelelahan kerja.

Seaweed cultivation and utilization of Korea

Seaweed cultivation and utilization of Korea

Macro algae based adsorption for treatment of cotton processing wastewater

In the recent advances in treatment of different industrial wastewater, an attempt is made to treat the wastewater produced in demand of dyes and is used to make bandages and surgical cotton using freshwater macro algae. In the treatment method adopted here is focused on reducing the organic and inorganic pollutants present in the wastewater in the form of COD, BOD, Nitrate, Ammonia, Phosphate and Sulphate. Cotton processing wastewater contains high level of tCOD and sCOD in the order of 15000. Initially, Fresh water Green Macro algae is grown in freshwater Bolds Basal Medium (BBM). Tests were conducted with different dilution of Medium, Wastewater and Macro algae. The concentration of COD, NO3, NH4, PO4, and SO4in the real wastewater found to be 4800mg/l, 60.236mg/l, 4.110mg/l, 19.132mg/l, and 2.239mg/l respectively. Finally, after 10 days of continuous treatment of cotton wastewater using macro algae was found to be 1600mg/l, 7.30mg/l, 1.970mg/l, 4.800mg/l, and 1.009mg/l respectively. COD concentration of 1600 mg/l was still not a safe value to be finalized for a safe disposal, it has been observed that due to the high toxicity of the wastewater, macro algae are unable to treat the wastewater further. Solids like Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Fixed Solids (FS) and Total solids (TS) are also noted and studied during the treatment.

Antioxidant status of selected sea weeds of Manamelkudi coast, Pudukkottai district

Manamelkudi, located along the Palk Strait of East coast of Tamil Nadu serve as treasure houses for valuable marine resources like sea grass and sea weeds. A study was undertaken at Agricultural College & Research Institute, Kudumiyanmalai during 2016-17 to evaluate the nutritional composition of the seaweeds in order to use them as potential food ingredients. Sea weed samples were collected from Manamelkudi village of Pudukkotai district and were identified as Gracilaria salicornia (C.Agardh) Dawson and Gracilaria edulis (S.G. Gmel.) P.C. Silva Gracilariaceae at Botanical Survey of India, Coimbatore. The samples were washed in sea and fresh water to remove associated organisms and other extraneous matters. The sea weeds were dried, powdered and used for assessing the antioxidant status. G. edulis showed higher activities of enzymic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (312.03 U/g) and catalase (50.1U/g) when compared to G. salicornia (SOD:266.27U/g and CAT:37.1U/g). Maximum levels of the non-enzymic antioxidants, (total phenol and flavonoid) was found in G. edulis when compared to G. salicornia (5.8 and 3.43mg/g; 5.23 and 3.3mg/g respectively). The extent of lipid peroxidation assessed revealed 70.5 and 32.1 percent inhibition by the ethanolic extract of G. edulis and G. salicornia respectively. The results were comparable with that of the standard antioxidant BHT. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, proteins, aminoacids, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids and tannins except saponins and terpenoids in G. salicornia. Thus it can be concluded from the present investigation that both the seaweeds are potentially rich in natural antioxidants and could be used as nutrient supplements in food industry.

The sustainability of microbial bioplastics, production and applications

Plastic accumulation has destructive environmental impacts, so the world needs eco-friendly plastic alternatives. Within this context, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) appear to be real alternatives to the chemical plastics because they are biocompatible and biodegradable. Despite its similar properties to common plastics, PHAs use is still hampered by higher production costs. PHAs are produced by high density fed-batch cultivation, activated sludge, microbial consortia and continuous substrate supply, and a major cost associated with their production is the carbon source used for bacterial fermentation. Therefore, novel carbon sources have been studied for PHA production including, macro algae, peanut oil, crude glycerol and whey. PHAs were applied in myriad fields such as wood production, food packaging, 3D painting, cancer detection, treating ulcers as well as several agricultural and therapeutic applications. In this review, current knowledge of methods and novel carbon sources enhance the sustainability and reliability of PHAs in the prospective future.

Bioaccessibility of Antioxidants and Fatty Acids from Fucus Spiralis

Fucus spiralis is an edible brown seaweed (SW) found in the Portuguese Coast. It has been reported to have high antioxidant activity, which may elicit a potential use for the food industry. However, little information is available on how the SW behaves during the digestive process and how the freeze-drying process might affect the bioaccessibility of the different compounds. Therefore, antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, lipid, and fatty acid contents were measured before and after in vitro simulation of the human digestive process, both in fresh and freeze-dry SW. F. spiralis had a lipid content of 3.49 ± 0.3% of dry weight (DW), which is a usual amount described for this SW genus. The total lipid bioaccessibility was 12.1 ± 0.1%. The major omega-3 fatty acid detected was eicosapentaenoic acid, 7.5 ± 0.1%, with a bioaccessibility percentage of 13.0 ± 1.0%. Four different methods—total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH)—were used to assess the antioxidant activity of F. spiralis. The bioaccessibility of the antioxidants studied, ranged between 42.7% and 59.5%, except the bioaccessibility of polyphenols in freeze-dried SW (23.0% ± 1.0%), suggesting that the freeze-drying process reduces the bioaccessibility of these compounds.

Corals and macroalgae can sometimes coexist

Corals and macroalgae <i>can</i> sometimes coexist

Fucoxanthin inhibits cell proliferation and stimulates apoptosis through downregulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in human ovarian cancer cells

Background: Fucoxanthin is rich in seaweed and considered the most efficient anticancer drug because of its powerful antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of fucoxanthin on apoptosis via signaling pathway in ovarian cancer cells. First, fucoxanthin exhibited obvious cytotoxicity against A2780 human ovarian cancer cells. Materials and Methods: We established the action potential of fucoxanthin on cell proliferation in addition to apoptosis in A2780 cells, which were measured using reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Apoptotic-related morphological alterations were inspected by acridine orange/EtBr dual staining. In addition, we analyzed caspase family protein expression by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Results: Our results established that fucoxanthin stimulates apoptosis as confirmed through reduced cell viability, improved production of ROS, and altered MMP in A2780 cells. Further, the fucoxanthin upregulates the expression of caspase (3, 8, and 9) protein experimentally in A2780 cell. In addition, we uncovered upstream signaling cascade (Akt/mTOR) induced by incubation A2780 cell lines with fucoxanthin that mediated cell apoptosis, migration, and invasion process. Conclusion: These findings suggest that fucoxanthin augments apoptosis; reduces cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; and reveals a potential mechanism of fucoxanthin-mediated Akt/mTOR suppression in human ovarian cancer cell line. Hence, fucoxanthin could be reflected as a potential therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer treatment.

"Seaweed Chronicles" by Susan Hand Shetterly, 2018. [book review

"Seaweed Chronicles" by Susan Hand Shetterly, 2018. [book review

Toxic effect of Spirulina platensis and Sargassum vulgar as natural pesticides on survival and biological characteristics of cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis

In a trial to explore new alternatives to chemical pesticides whose negative side effects on humans and the environment are a serious concern, natural alternatives are being addressed to discover new, cost-effective and environmentally friendly compounds.; therefore, present work aimed to evaluate the toxicity of two algal species; Spirulina platensis (blue-green micro alga) and Sargassaum vulgar (brown marine macro alga) as natural pesticides against cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Water and ethanol extracts of tested algae prepared in three concentrations (3, 5 and 7 %). S. platensis extracts exhibited higher toxicity against 2nd and 4th larval instars, 2nd instar larvae were more susceptible to all treatments. Egg hatchability was slightly affected, larval and pupal duration prolonged with increasing extracts concentration. Ethanol extracts were more toxic especially at 7% concentration. Pupal malformation of 2nd larval stage was more affected than 4th one, similarly moth malformation of 2nd larval instar reached 59 and 43 % when treated with alcohol extract (7%) of S. platensis and S. vulgar respectively, while for 4th larval instar, adult malformation reached 33 and 29 % respectively. Female fecundity decreased with increasing concentration of algae extracts. Abnormal morphological changes observed during insect development. To evaluate insecticidal activity of examined algae, certain phytochemicals were screened in algae biomass including, total phenols, total tannins and total alkaloids; the highest percentages were recorded for total phenols followed by total tannins then total alkaloids in both algae, with more elevated levels in S. platensis biomass. Further investigations on phenolic constituents in S. platensis were done through HPLC analysis, indicating the occurrence of four phenolic compounds; quercetin (214.06 ppm), kaempferol (126.45 ppm), resorcinol (27.02 ppm) and Naphthaline (2.42 ppm). Study results revealed the efficacy of tested algae especially S. platensis as a potential source of natural pesticides to control mentioned pest.