Enteromorpha Intestinalis Research Articles

Propriedades biomédicas, caracterização de espécies de algas marinhas e atividade antimicrobiana

Abstract Marine organisms produce a variety of compounds with pharmacological activities. In order to better comprehend the medicinal value of five particular seaweed orders Ulvales (Ulva intestinalis), Bryopsidales (Codium decorticatum), Ectocarpales (Iyengaria stellata), Dictyotales (Spatoglossum aspermum) and Gigartinales (Hypnea musciformis), a bioactive analysis including the screening of phytochemical components, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities was the aim of the investigation. The species include U. intestinalis was collected from Sandspit, while C. decorticatum, I. stellata, S. aspermum, and H. musciformis were gathered from Buleji. These species evaluated for their ability to inhibit human infectious gram positive pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis as well as gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Additionally vegetable pathogen Fusarium oxysporum, and fruit pathogens (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus) were evaluated to determine the zone of inhibition. Two organic solvents, ethanol and methanol, were used to prepare seaweed extract. The disc diffusion method was utilized to quantify the zone of inhibition and the DPPH method was employed to measure the antioxidant activity. The study unveiled various phyto-constituents in the tested seaweeds, with flavonoids, tannins, and proteins found in all selected species, while saponins, terpenoids, and carbohydrates were absent in I. stellata and S. aspermum. Notably, ethanolic extracts of I. stellata and S. aspermum demonstrated superior higher antioxidant activity, with increasing percentages of inhibition from 1 to 6 mg/ml. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the ethanolic extract of U. intestinalis displayed the highest resistance against F. oxysporum and A. flavous among other seaweeds. Meanwhile, the ethanolic extract of C. decorticatum exhibited the highest resistance against A. Niger. Additionally, the ethanolic extract of I. stellata and H. musciformis displayed the highest resistance against the gram-negative bacteria E. coli and the gram-positive bacteria S. epidermidis, whereas the methanolic extract of U. intestinalis demonstrated the highest resistance against the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus. The findings of this investigation show that a range of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties are involved in the antimicrobial activities of disease-causing pathogens.

Ulva spp (Ulva intestinalis, U. fasciata, U. lactuca, and U. rigida) composition and abiotic environmental factors

Seaweed, including various species of Ulva (e.g., Ulva intestinalis, U. fasciata, U. lactuca, and U. rigida), is essential for maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems. These algae are found worldwide and have a high growth rate in diverse habitats. This article analyzes the composition of these Ulva spp (including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and ash). It also investigates the environmental factors that affect their growth and composition, such as pH, temperature, water depth, salinity, and nutrient availability. Understanding the variations in composition and environmental influences among Ulva spp highlights the importance of studying their ecological impact and genetic diversity.

Antibacterial Activity of Extract Green Seaweed Ulva intestinalis in North Waters of Aceh

The appearance of bacterial resistance and pathogenic infections makes efforts to find new drugs as natural bacterial agents continue. One of them is through the utilization of marine organisms such as seaweed. Some studies show the content of seaweed bioactive compounds has potential in the pharmacological field. This study aims to determine the type of secondary metabolite compounds and antibacterial activity of ethanol extract of Ulva intestinalis. Seaweed extraction using the maceration method for 3 x 24 hours and antibacterial activities were tested by disc diffusion method. The results showed that there were 5 types of secondary metabolite compounds in the extract, namely alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and steroids. The antibacterial activity test of seaweed extract against Propionibacterium acnes and Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria in the concentration range of 50% to 100% showed a moderate inhibition zone diameter

Screening antioxidant activity of seaweed extracts collected in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta for dietary supplementation of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

This study assessed the yield and antioxidant ability of seaweed extracts harvested from the Vietnamese Mekong Delta for the dietary supplementation of whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. In the first experiment, a two-factor test was randomly designed, including three seaweed types (Chaetomorpha linum, Enteromorpha intestinalis, and Gracilaria tenuistipitata) combined with three solvent types (100°C hot water, 90% methanol, and 90% ethanol). The results indicate that C. linum extracted in hot water had a relatively high yield, total phenolic content, and the best antioxidant capacity, as illustrated by DPPH free radical scavenging, ferric chelating, and ferrous reducing power assays. In the second experiment, a feeding trial used the crude hot water extract of C. linum for juvenile L. vannamei. This experiment consisted of five treatments in which commercial feed was supplemented with crude extract at levels of 0 (control), 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2%. Shrimp (mean weight: 0.65 ± 0.09 g) were raised in a total of 15 containers (volume: 500 L) with a density of 200 ind./m3. After 60 days of culture, shrimp survival showed no significant difference across treatments. Moreover, shrimp fed a 0.6% C. linum hot water extract diet had a significantly higher growth rate, production, feed efficiency, and digestive enzyme activity (trypsin, lipase, and amylase) than the control and other groups. Interestingly, polynomial regression revealed that a 0.52% extract diet gave the optimal feed conversion ratio, which was considered the appropriate supplementation level for L. vannamei.

Phytochemical Screening, Cytotoxic Activity, Antibacterial Assay and Proximate Analysis of Ulva Intestinalis Algae from the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

Seaweed is widely popular across the globe for its nutritional and biological properties. After delimiting the maritime boundary on Bangladesh, research on seaweeds is gaining momentum. Ulva intestinalis is one of the seaweeds found in the St. Martin’s Island of Bangladesh, and the present study investigated the presence of potentially bioactive compounds through phytochemical screening and proximate analysis of Ulva intestinalis along with cytotoxicity test and antibacterial activity. Phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract of Ulva revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids and coumarins. The cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity was also found to be significant by the algal extract. From the quantitative test of nutrients, it demonstrated that the seaweed contains 15.41% of protein, 51.79% of carbohydrate, 1.21% of fat, 3.74% of fiber, 18.81% ash, and 12.78% moisture. Additionally, the presence of vitamin B12 was promising (1300 μg/100 g). Interestingly, heavy metals were not detected in Ulva intestinalis whereas other micronutrients were present. Comparatively, the higher ZOI were showed in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella sp and E.coli than micrococcus sp which indicates higher antibacterial activity of the species. The result of the brine shrimp lethality test, greater cytotoxicity of crude algal extract showed a significant LC50 value with higher concentrations. As a result, it is plausible that Ulva intestinalis, from the Bay of Bengal, has the potential antibacterial and cytotoxic activities and might also serve as a source of new bioactive compounds. Moreover, further research is needed to perform for validation of the seaweed to introduce its medicinal activity or nutritional supplement potentiality in industrial scale. Bioresearch Commu. 10(1): 1424-1431, 2024 (January)

Novel insights into crystal violet dye adsorption onto various macroalgae: Comparative study, recyclability and overview of chromium (VI) removal

In this study, effective biomaterials were prepared from marine macroalgae, namely Fucus spiralis (F.S), Ulva intestinalis (U.I), and Corallina officinalis (C.O). The ability to adsorb the hazardous organic dye crystal violet (CV) was examined, revealing different adsorptive properties for the three algae. The removal of CV dye occurred onto only a homogeneous monolayer for F.S, and both a homogeneous monolayer and a heterogeneous multilayer for U.I and C.O algae. The predicted monolayer capacities at 25 °C were approximately 53 mg/g, 55 mg/g, and 97 mg/g for F.S, C.O, and U.I, respectively. The adsorption of CV dye on all the algae was found to follow a pseudo-second-order rate. Ulva intestinalis algae, as a potential adsorbent of CV dye, were also tested in the adsorption of inorganic substances and demonstrated significant efficiency in the removal of chromium (VI). The findings highlight various adsorption properties and the relevance of macroalgae for wastewater treatment applications.

Bacterial Inoculation and Extracts of Opuntia Rackets or Marine Algae Trigger Distinct Proline Balances in Tomato Salt Stress Alleviation

High salt levels in soil can severely limit plant development and diminish the positive effect of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). However, extracts of organisms adapted to high salinity, such as Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) and Enteromorpha intestinalis (EI), can restore the growth of PGPR. Therefore, we used OFI or EI extracts and their combination with the PGPR Achromobacter xylosoxidans BOA4 to evaluate salt stress relief in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The experimental setup consisted of a plant pot trial under greenhouse conditions with 12 treatments: control, irrigation with OFI extract; EI extract; BOA4-inoculated plus OFI extract and BOA4-inoculated plus EI extract under no salinity or salinity conditions (150 mM NaCl). The percentage of germination, and plant’s fresh and dry weight were registered 30 and 46 days after sowing. At 46 days, the ratio between proline and glutamic acid concentration (PR/GA) was determined, expecting high PR/GA ratios in plants more responsive to salt stress since proline is an osmolyte mainly synthesized from glutamate. The results showed that 52% of the control seeds under salt stress germinated, a figure that was increased to 92% in OFI-treated seeds. Tomato plants were shown to be very sensitive to salt stress since the dry weight was ca. one fourth that of the plants grown without salinity. However, EI or BOA4 plus EI stimulated plant biomass by ca. 3 times compared to the control with salt, restoring plant biomass to values comparable to those of control plants grown without salinity. The joint treatments with BOA4 and EI or OFI caused distinct PR/GA levels in plant tissues. An inverse relationship between the sum of relative shoot proline and glutamic acid contents and shoot biomass accumulation was observed, namely in treatments accumulating more biomass under no salinity and salinity conditions. This indicates that the proline/glutamate pathway represents a carbon sink that is needed to fight stress and is competing with the carbon flow used for growth.

Investigating the Biosorption Potential of Ulva intestinalis Linnaeus for Efficient Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Solutions

Investigating the Biosorption Potential of Ulva intestinalis Linnaeus for Efficient Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Solutions

Potential of Edible Seaweed of the Kenyan Coast as a Micronutrient Source

Edible seaweed, a rich source of micronutrients, remains underutilized despite its availability at the Kenyan coast, while micronutrient deficiencies remain a major health concern in Kenya. The study assessed micronutrient content of randomly sampled seaweed and consumption patterns, interviewing 175 seaweed farmers and analysing 58 samples from Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale counties. Micronutrients (vitamin A, D, B9, B12, iron, zinc, iodine) and heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium) were measured. Predominantly female seaweed farmers, aged 30-40, with low income and education levels, focused on commercial farming over personal consumption due to limited nutritional awareness. A diverse array of edible seaweed species was identified; 11 Phaeophyceae (Sargassum, Turninaria, Dictyota, Padina, Eucheuma), 9 Chlorophyta (Ulva, Caulerpa, Eucheuma) and 8 Rhodophyta (Gracilaria, Hypnea, Soliera, Eucheuma). Significant regional and species variations were observed; Kilifi samples had higher vitamin A (p= 0.031), D (p=0.047), B9 (p=0.006), Kwale exhibited elevated iron levels (p= 0.047). Green phyla showed higher vitamin B12, D, zinc, iodine levels, while red phyla were rich in vitamin B9, A, and iron. Eucheuma cotonii had the highest vitamin B12 (696.6 μg/100 g) and vitamin A (298.6 μg/100 g) levels, Ulva intestinalis recorded highest iron (637.85 mg/kg) and Caulerpa taxifolia had highest zinc (277.74 mg/kg). Though some species contained traces of lead and cadmium within permissible limits, mercury was found in only four species, with no arsenic detected. Increasing awareness of seaweed's nutritional value is crucial to combatting micronutrient deficiencies, alongside further research into processing, value addition, market integration, and heavy metal mitigation strategies. Keywords; Edible seaweed, Micronutrients, Micronutrient deficiencies, Kenyan coast

Pressurized liquid extraction of bioactive extracts with antioxidant and antibacterial activity from green, red and brown Algerian algae

In this work, the protein, sugar, phenolic and phlorotannin contents, as well as the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of hydroethanolic extracts of six algae species from the west cost of Algeria (Padina pavonica, Halopteris scoparia, Cystoseira mediterranea, Ulva lactuca, Ulva intestinalis, and Ceramium virgatum), obtained by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) were investigated. Ceramium virgatum PLE extracts showed the highest content of protein (4.36 ± 0.13 %), while the total sugar content was maximum in U. lactuca extract (23.89 ± 0.21 %). Likewise, P. pavonica PLE extract presented a relevant total phenolic content (49.82 ± 1.40 mg GAE/g extract). On the other hand, phlorotannins were only found in brown algae in a range of 1.84–2.93 mg PGE/g. Furthermore, P. Pavonica extract presented considerably higher antioxidant capacity of inhibiting ABTS radical (1.16 ± 0.023 mmol TE/g) and 50 % of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) (IC50 = 57.03 ± 1.28 μg/mL) in comparison with the other studied algae. Regarding to the potential antimicrobial activity, the results showed that Cystoseira Mediterranea produced the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration on Salmonella typhi (0.83 ± 0.14 mg/mL), Escherichia coli (4.66 ± 0.57 mg/mL), Vibrio cholera (1.08 ± 0.14 mg/mL), and Candida albicans (2.16 ± 0.28 mg/mL). Besides, different carotenoids and phenolic compounds were tentatively identified by LC-DAD in the algae extracts which could be the responsible of the tested bioactivities. These findings show the potential of using PLE as green solvent extraction technique and the prolific bioactivities of Algerian seaweeds.

Quality Assessment of Biogas-Producing Macroalgae from Azov Sea and Šventoji River

The decline of fossil fuels, the increase in greenhouse gases, and the global demand for energy are driving the search for alternative energy sources. Anaerobic digestion is a promising technology because it can convert organic biomass into biogas. As the climate warms, there is an increase in the biomass of plant origin in water bodies, and ecosystems are unable to clean themselves. The novelty of the work is that it determines the energetic values of macroalgae growing in the Sea of Azov and freshwater bodies using theoretical and experimental methods. This work aims to show that macroalgae and aquatic plants can be an excellent raw material for biogas production. By mixing them with co-substrates such as cattle manure, higher biogas and methane yields can be obtained. When Cladophora glomerata and Enteromorpha intestinalis macroalgae are mixed with cattle manure, the biogas yield is up to 458.8 mL/gVS and 397.9 mL/gVS, respectively. Methane concentration remained high and reached 62.4–64.1%. The obtained research results show the high energy value of biogas and the energy potential of biomass. Macroalgae increased the energy potential of biogas to 22.9 MJ/m3, and the energy potential of biomass reached 2.40 MJ/Kg. Due to its high energy value, biogas produced from the considered substrates can be an excellent alternative to fossil fuels. Integrating aquatic macroalgae into anaerobic digestion is a promising approach for a waste-free marine and freshwater system.

Bioremediation of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals from wastewater using seaweeds

The removal of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals from wastewater using three dried seaweeds Ulva intestinalis Linnaeus (green alga), Sargassum latifolium (Turner) C.Agardh (brown alga), and Corallina officinalis Kützing (red alga) has been shown to evaluate their potential usage as inexpensive adsorbents. Under natural environmental conditions, numerous analytical methods, including zeta potential, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), SEM, and FT-IR, are used in this study. The results showed that n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorption increased with increasing contact time for all three selected algae, with a large removal observed after 15 days, while the optimal contact time for heavy metal removal was 3 h. S. latifolium dry biomass had more potential as bioadsorbent, followed by C. officinalis and then U. intestinalis. S. latifolium attained removal percentages of 65.14%, 72.50%, and 78.92% for light n-alkanes, heavy n-alkanes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respectively, after 15 days. Furthermore, it achieved removal percentages of 94.14, 92.62, 89.54, 87.54, 82.76, 80.95, 77.78, 73.02, and 71.62% for Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Cr, Pb, Cd, Mn, and Ni, respectively, after 3 h. Carboxyl and hydroxyl from FTIR analysis took part in wastewater treatment. The zeta potentials revealed that algal cells have a negatively charged surface, and the cell surface of S. latifolium has a more negative surface charge than U. intestinalis and C. officinalis. Our study suggests that seaweeds could play an important role in wastewater treatment and thus help as an economical, effective, and ecofriendly bioremediation system for ecological health and life protection.

SEAWEED CULTURE, POST-HARVEST PROCESSING, AND MARKET GENERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT OF COASTAL POOR COMMUNITIES IN COX'S BAZAR

Seaweed farming is one of the aquaculture industries with the greatest growth rate worldwide, with an annual production of over 33 billion tonnes, and a value of USD$11.8 billion which is predicted to treble by 2024. The current study was conducted in the Bakkhali River estuary and set out to survey the seaweed cultivation, processing, marketing status of the seaweed farmers and evaluate its financial benefits. Gracilaria lemaneiformis and Ulva intestinalis were cultured using the rope methods. The yield of G. lemaneiformis and U. intestinalis was good (Ten 15 m long ropes were used in each of the 45 plots, produced 7770 kg of G. lemaneiformis in the first 15 days while using ten 15 m long ropes were in each of the plots of U. intestinalis produced 2300 kg). Water parameters viz. temperature, salinity, pH, DO and transparency were checked every 15 days. According to previous literature, winter was determined to be the most productive time for seaweed development in Bangladesh. Seaweed was processed by the sun drying method and sold to retail clients, neighborhood shops and markets, and representatives in Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari district, where G. lemaneiformis attracting the higher price. The income of seaweed farmers has increased more than in the previous years to maintain their family. Most of the farmers used raw seaweed as traditional medicine for the treatment of gastric problem (80%), diabetes (5%), blood pressure (3%) and cancer (2%). They also used seaweed as an additive with other vegetables, mutton and chicken. Education for coastal people is very difficult, but after cultivating seaweed, about 60% of farmers can afford their children's education cost and about 85% of the households had electric fans, while the majority had mobile phones. The cost-benefit analysis demonstrated that seaweed cultivation is highly profitable.

Symbiotic interactions in the lichen Ramalina farinacea dramatically modify NO biosynthetic source in Trebouxia microalgae

NO is a multifaceted molecule, key in functions such as abiotic stress tolerance and symbioses establishment and permanence. Lichens are complex symbiotic associations of microalgae, fungi and prokaryotes that release NO under stress conditions such as dessication-rehydration cycles and the presence of xenobiotics. NO synthase (NOS) oxidises l-arginine to produce NO in animals and some aquatic microalgae, while nitrate reductase (NR) reduces nitrate to NO in plants and fungi. Inhibition studies suggest that both activities might be present in thalli. Due to its multipartner compotition, our hypothesis is that Ramalina farinacea biosynthesises NO through both oxidative (NOS) and reductive (NR) enzymatic pathways. NR activity was quantified with a method optimised for lichens using NADH or/and NADPH, and NOS with a commercial kit in R. farinacea thalli and cultures of the isolated main symbionts: R. farinacea mycobiont, and Trebouxia jamesii and Trebouxia lynnae phycobionts. Inhibition studies in vitro were performed with L-NAME and tungstate. Immunodetection was carried out with specific polyclonal antibodies (anti-plant NADH-NR and anti-iNOS animal isoform). NADH-NR specific activity of R. farinacea is an order of magnitude higher than Arabidopsis thaliana's and in the range of the chlorophyte Ulva intestinalis. R. farinacea mycobiont possesses a canonical plant-like Moco-NR, while Trebouxia phycobionts' NR activity presents interesting peculiarities. NOS has not been immunodetected and NOS-like activity is inhibited by L-NAME only partially in T. jamesii. Despite NOS-like activity is very high in the isolated microalgae and fungus, it is strongly depressed in the holobiont. In summary, NR activity seems to be the main source of NO biosynthesis for the holobiont R. farinacea but it presents intriguing features that deserve further study.

Seaweed-derived bio-stimulant improves growth and salt tolerance of radish varieties under saline conditions

The potential of macroalgae as biostimulants in agriculture and biotechnology is getting attention because they enhance the growth of various edible crops. Thus, the current study deals with the potential of marine algae (Enteromorpha intestinalis) seaweed (SW) powder for its effect on seed germination, growth, biochemical parameters, and pigment characteristics of Radish varieties (40 days, R-1 and Radish variety Minu Early R-2) under saline conditions: 50 mM (low salinity, LS), and 100 mM (high salinity, HS). Seeds were germinated with 1.5 (SW1) and 3% (SW2) seaweed powder mixed with saline soil. Root and shoot length progressively decreased with increasing salinity level compared to control. Treatment 2 (SW1) and treatment 4 of R-1 variety had the highest germination rate by 95%. R-2 variety showed increased shoot and root fresh weight for treatment 4 (LS) and treatment 8 (HS + SW1), while treatment 7 (LS + SW2) of R-2 variety showed the highest shoot dry weight. Treatment 2 (SW1) of R-1 variety showed an increase in plant total weight compared to R-1 variety. Carbohydrate and protein content were higher in treatment 4 (LS) and 9 (HS + SW2) of R-1 variety. Phenol and flavonoid content were increased in treatment 8 (HS + SW1) and 2 (SW1) of R-2 variety compare to untreated controls. Marine algae-based bio-stimulant could effectively improve Radish growth due to optimum physiological and biochemical alteration under saline conditions. Our results indicate that radish varieties could produce sustainable biomass by using algal bio-stimulant on saline soils and avoiding competition with conventional agriculture.

Systematic study on the effect of seaweed fertilizer on the growth and yield of Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (Mung bean)

Seaweed (Marine algae) extracts have been reported to be beneficial to plants for early seed germination, better plant growth, improved crop yield, and also in preventing biotic and abiotic stress. They are naturally rich in plant growth-promoting factors like microelements, organic matter, vitamins, and fatty acids and can be a low-cost alternative to conventional N:P:K fertilizers and expensive organic farming techniques. Herein, the seaweed fertilizer (SF) have prepared by using three seaweeds, viz., Turbinaria ornata (TSF), Ulva intestinalis (USF), and Portieria hornemannii (PSF). The formulation was evaluated for biostimulant potential by performing a pot culture on Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek, along with aqueous control, chemical fertilizer control (CFC), and organic manure control (OMC). The plants were treated with various groupings (individual and combination) of SF at six different concentrations. The study revealed that PSF (30%) stimulates maximum seed germination and an upsurge in plant growth (shoot length (28%), root length (120%), leaf count (53%), leaf area (62%), fresh weight (41%), and dry weight (54%)), pigment concentration (carotenoid (80%), chlorophyll a (29%), and chlorophyll b (41%)), and biochemical parameters of the leaves (carbohydrate (18%), protein (21%), amino acids (21%), phenolic content(49%)) when compared with aqueous control. The study revealed an 85% surge in the quantity of grains (15.568 g/plant) upon treatment with 30% PSF compared with aqueous control (8.413 g/plant). Followed by 30% (USF + PSF), 30% (TSF + PSF), and 40% PSF, have exhibited 75%, 73%, and 72% increase, respectively, compared with aqueous control. The nutrient uptake study exhibited that 30% PSF improves the efficiency of mineral uptake in V. radiata (L) plants. The results suggest that the tested SF, especially PSF, could be a low-cost and environmentally safe fertilizer. Based on this study, the formulated PSF could be used alone or partially replaced with commercial fertilizers to reduce the total cultivation cost.

New Insight on the Cytoprotective/Antioxidant Pathway Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Modulation by Ulva intestinalis Extract and Its Selenium Nanoparticles in Rats with Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema.

Currently, there is growing interest in exploring natural bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory potential to overcome the side effects associated with the well-known synthetic chemicals. Algae are a rich source of bioactive molecules with numerous applications in medicine. Herein, the anti-inflammatory effect of Ulva intestinalis alone or selenium nanoparticles loaded with U. intestinalis (UISeNPs), after being fully characterized analytically, was investigated by a carrageenan-induced inflammation model. The pretreated groups with free U. intestinalis extract (III and IV) and the rats pretreated with UISeNPs (groups V and VI) showed significant increases in the gene expression of Keap1, with fold increases of 1.9, 2.27, 2.4, and 3.32, respectively. Similarly, a remarkable increase in the Nrf2 gene expression, with 2.09-, 2.36-, 2.59-, and 3.7-fold increases, was shown in the same groups, respectively. Additionally, the groups III, IV, V, and VI revealed a significantly increased HO-1 gene expression with a fold increase of 1.48, 1.61, 1.87, and 2.84, respectively. Thus, both U. intestinalis extract and the UISeNPs boost the expression of the cytoprotective/antioxidant pathway Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1, with the UISeNPs having the upper hand over the free extract. In conclusion, U. intestinalis and UISeNPs have proven promising anti-inflammatory activity through mediating different underlying mechanisms.

Effects of Ulva intestinalis Linnaeus seaweed liquid extract on plant growth, photosynthetic performance and water status of two hydroponically grown Lamiaceae species: Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) and purple basil (Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens Benth.)

Seaweed extracts are considered as marine biostimulants and have been successfully used in agriculture to improve the growth and tolerance to different environmental stress conditions of many crops. Therefore, the present study was carried out for the first time and aimed to determine the effects of a seaweed liquid extract on growth and photosynthetic performance as well as the water status of hydroponically-grown peppermint and purple basil plants. For this purpose, the experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions and plants were cultivated in hydroponic systems according to the nutrient film technique. A seaweed liquid extract at 10% was prepared from the green marine macroalgae Ulva intestinalis and then added to the nutrient solution of the hydroponic system. Based on our experimental data, the main results have proven that Ulva intestinalis seaweed liquid extract could be successfully used as a biostimulant in the hydroponic cultivation of peppermint for its enhancing effect on some plant growth and photosynthetic as well as water status parameters. However, it is not recommended to add the seaweed liquid extract of Ulva intestinalis to the hydroponic culture of purple basil since most of the parameters analyzed were shown to be negatively affected by the seaweed liquid extract treatment. Furthermore, the results of this study could be practical for enhancing the production of medicinal and aromatic plants by adding the Ulva intestinalis seaweed liquid extract to the nutrient solution of the hydroponic system.

The effect of single-cell detritus produced by the gutweed (Enteromorpha intestinalis) on filter-feeder growth: Artemia franciscana as a case study

The effect of single-cell detritus produced by the gutweed (Enteromorpha intestinalis) on filter-feeder growth: Artemia franciscana as a case study

Potential of Butanol Production from Thailand Marine Macroalgae Using Clostridium beijerinckii ATCC 10132-Based ABE Fermentation.

The economical bio-butanol-based fermentation process is mainly limited by the high price of first-generation biomass, which is an intensive cost for the pretreatment of second-generation biomass. As third-generation biomass, marine macroalgae could be potentially advantageous for conversion to clean and renewable bio-butanol through acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. In this study, butanol production from 3 macroalgae species (Gracilaria tenuistipitata, Ulva intestinalis, and Rhizoclonium sp.) by Clostridium beijerinckii ATCC 10132 was assessed comparatively. The enriched C beijerinckii ATCC 10132 inoculum produced a high butanol concentration of 14.07g/L using 60g/L of glucose. Among the three marine seaweed species, G. tenuistipitata exhibited the highest potential for butanol production (1.38g/L). Under the 16 conditions designed using the Taguchi method for low-temperature hydrothermal pretreatment (HTP) of G. tenuistipitata, the maximum reducing sugar yield rate of 57.6% and ABE yield of 19.87% were achieved at a solid to liquid (S/L) ratio of 120, temperature of 110°C, and holding time of 10min (Severity factor, R0 1.29). In addition, pretreated G. tenuistipitata could be converted to 3.1g/L of butanol using low-HTP at an S/L ratio of 50g/L, temperature of 80°C (R0 0.11), and holding time of 5min. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.