Ulva Lactuca Research Articles

Study of the Seasonal Variations of the Fatty Acid Profiles of Selected Macroalgae

Due to the high consumption of fat-rich processed foods, efforts are being done to reduce their saturated fat (SFA) contents and replace it with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), creating a necessity to find alternative PUFA sources. Macroalgae, being a promising natural source of healthy food, may be such an alternative. The fatty acid (FA) profile of Fucus spiralis, Bifurcaria bifurcata, Ulva lactuca, and Saccorhiza polyschides were determined through direct transesterification and their seasonal variation was studied. F. spiralis showed the highest FA content overall, B. bifurcata presented the higher PUFA amounts, and U. lactuca and S. polyschides the higher SFA. The production of FA was shown to be influenced by the seasons. Spring and summer seemed to induce the FA production in F. spiralis and B. bifurcata while in U. lactuca the same was verified in winter. U. lactuca presented a ω6/ω3 ratio between 0.59 and 1.38 while B. bifurcata presented a ratio around 1.31. The study on the seasonal variations of the macroalgal FA profile can be helpful to understand the best season to yield FA of interest, such as ALA, EPA, and DHA. It may also provide valuable information on the best culturing conditions for the production of desired FAs.

Protective Effects of Ulva lactuca Polysaccharide Extract on Oxidative Stress and Kidney Injury Induced by D-Galactose in Mice.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the key factors that cause many diseases in the human body. Polysaccharides from seaweed have been shown to have significant antioxidant activity both in vivo and in vitro. The ameliorative effect of Ulva lactuca polysaccharide extract (UPE) on renal injury induced by oxidative stress was analyzed. As shown by hematoxylin–eosin staining results, UPE can significantly improve the kidney injury induced by D-galactose (D-gal). Additionally, the protective mechanism of UPE on the kidney was explored. The results showed that UPE could decrease the levels of serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum cystatin C (Cys-C), lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and DNA oxidative damage (8-OHdG) and improve kidney glutathione content. Moreover, UPE significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant activity in mice. UPE also decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Further investigation into the expression of apoptotic protein caspase-3 showed that UPE decreased the expression of apoptotic protein caspase-3. These results indicate that UPE has a potential therapeutic effect on renal injury caused by oxidative stress, providing a new theoretical basis for the treatment of oxidative damage diseases in the future.

Antihyperuricemic Effect of Green Alga Ulva lactuca Ulvan through Regulating Urate Transporters

A novel polysaccharide from Ulva lactuca (ULP) was purified using a Sepharose CL-4B column. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were employed to analyze the structure of ULP. It consisted of rhamnose (Rha), glucuronic acid (GluA), galactose (Gal), and xylose (Xyl) at a molar ratio of 32.75:22.83:1.07:6.46 with the molecular weight of 2.24 × 105 Da. The four major glycosidic residues found in ULP were →2,3)-α-l-Rhap-(1→, →4)-β-d-GlcpA-(1→, →2,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, and →4)-β-d-Xylp-(1→. The antihyperuricemic activity of ULP was exhibited by detecting related biochemical indexes, urate transporter gene expressions, renal histopathology, and intestinal microbiota shifts. ULP obviously decreased the levels of serum uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine, while inhibited serum and hepatic xanthine oxidase activities as well as improved renal injury in hyperuricemic mice. Furthermore, the upregulation of UA excretion genes ABCG2/OAT1 and downregulation of UA resorption genes URAT1 and GLUT9 were detected. In addition, ULP exerted its antihyperuricemic effect through regulating the intestinal microbiome, characterized by elevating the helpful microbial abundance, meanwhile declining the harmful bacterial abundance and restoring the gut microbiome homeostasis. This study demonstrates the antihyperuricemic activity of ULP and its potential effect for the treatment of hyperuricemia-related diseases.

Processing of Gracilaria edulis and Ulva lactuca for bioethanol and bio-oil production: an integrated approach via fermentation and hydrothermal liquefaction

Processing of Gracilaria edulis and Ulva lactuca for bioethanol and bio-oil production: an integrated approach via fermentation and hydrothermal liquefaction

Polysaccharides from the Green Alga Ulva lactuca Improve Antioxidant Balance and Bone Mineral Density in Diabetic Rats

Polysaccharides from the Green Alga Ulva lactuca Improve Antioxidant Balance and Bone Mineral Density in Diabetic Rats

Industrial optimization of alkaline and bleaching conditions for cellulose extraction from the marine seaweed Ulva lactuca

Industrial optimization of alkaline and bleaching conditions for cellulose extraction from the marine seaweed Ulva lactuca

Ulvapyrone, a pyrone-linked benzochromene from sea lettuce Ulva lactuca Linnaeus (family Ulvaceae): newly described anti-inflammatory agent attenuates arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase

Green marine macroalgae, particularly Ulva lactuca, is an essential constituent of the cuisines in many Asian countries. The present work aims to separate a bioactive pyrone attached benzochromene analogue, named as ulvapyrone from the organic extract of U. lactuca, followed by its structural characterisation as 2-{(6a′-hydroxyethyl-4′-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2′-one)-6′-yl}-4-methyl-7-ethylacetate-8-hydroxy-7, 8-dihydrobenzo [de]chromene. Ulvapyrone exhibited prospective inhibition property against arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 ∼1 mg mL−1) comparable to that demonstrated by ibuprofen (IC50 0.9 mg mL−1), which connoted its anti-inflammatory activity. The studied benzochromene exhibited promising antioxidant potential (IC50 0.5–0.6 mg mL−1), which further reinforced its attenuation property against 5-lipoxygenase. Bioactivities of ulvapyrone were linearly correlated with electronic parameter (topological polar surface area ∼102) along with less binding energy (–8.22 kcal mol−1) with the allosteric site of 5-lipoxygenase. In silico predictions of physicochemical parameters along with absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion could recognise the acceptable oral bioavailability of ulvapyrone.

Ulva species Blooms and its Biochemical Composition in Relation to Aquatic Environmental Properties at North Damietta- Egypt

The high trophic status of brackish water and sediments at the Deltaic coast, especially the high nitrogen, phosphorus contents, along with relatively low pH and water temperature resulted in overgrowth of Ulva pertusa at El Garabaa and Ulva lactuca at Damietta river Nile Estuary. This represents an environmental problem of aquatic environment and water quality. On the other hand, this massive growth of Ulva species can be used as economic source of different natural products. The biochemical analysis of Ulva species indicated that Ulva pertusa have higher contents of proteins, lipids, minerals, soluble and insoluble carbohydrates than those of Ulva lactuca. The qualitative studies of natural products indicated that Ulva pertusa contains alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols and quinones while Ulva lactuca contains alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, cumarins and quinones. Further study to determine the quantitative contents of natural products and its bioactivity is needed.

The antimicrobial efficiency of some green seaweeds from the Mediterranean coast against some pathogenic bacteria

During the past several years, microbial resistance to common antibiotics has continually increased, and this growing resistance threatens the effective treatment of bacterial infections. Thus, there is increased research on novel drugs like seaweeds. In this study, crude extracts of three seaweeds (Ulva clathrate, Ulva lactuca and Ulva compressa) were obtained with a Soxhlet extraction apparatus. Evaluation of antimicrobial efficiency was carried out using well diffusion method and microdilution method (MIC) at different concentrations (100-0.195mg/ml) for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The green seaweed extracts produced inhibition zones ranging from 7 to 12.5 mm. Methanol extracts produced the strongest inhibitory activity against the tested bacterial species. Overall, this study provides data on the potential use of algal extracts for the development of antimicrobial agents to treat infectious diseases.

Spectroscopic Characterization and Inhibitory Activity Against Alpha-Amylase of the Common Edible Seaweeds

This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory activity potential of the common edible seaweeds found in Sulu against alpha-amylase. The researcher employed true experimental research design and performed various test such as spectroscopic characterization, nutritive value determination, heavy metal test and α-amylase assay in sea Grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera), sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) and elkhorn sea moss (Kappaphycus alvarezii). Results showed that the edible seaweeds contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and sodium. The presence of lead and mercury were noted to be within allowable limits. In addition, the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy results of the three algae detected amine which indicated the presence of alkaloids. Statistical data showed that the extracts inhibitory potential against α-amylase assay was exhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. It was found out that sea grapes reflect the highest inhibition of 60.25% at 500ppm as compared with sea lettuce and elkhorn sea moss. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that there was significant difference on the α-amylase inhibitory activity of various marine plants and acarbose as the positive control (p<0.05, df=3, F=390.081). Furthermore, Post-Hoc analysis showed that significant differences were found in all treatments.

Ulva lactuca: A bioindicator for anthropogenic contamination and its environmental remediation capacity

Coastal regions are subjected to degradation due to anthropogenic pollution. Effluents loaded with variable concentrations of heavy metal, persistent organic pollutant, as well as nutrients are discharged in coastal areas leading to environmental degradation. In the past years, many scientists have studied, not only the effect of different contaminants on coastal ecosystems but also, they have searched for organisms tolerant to pollutants that can be used as bioindicators or for biomonitoring purposes. Furthermore, many researchers have demonstrated the capacity of different marine organisms to remove heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, as well as to reduce nutrient concentration, which may lead to eutrophication. In this sense, Ulva lactuca, a green macroalgae commonly found in coastal areas, has been extensively studied for its capacity to accumulate pollutants; as a bioindicator; as well as for its remediation capacity. This paper aims to review the information published regarding the use of Ulva lactuca in environmental applications. The review was focused on those studies that analyse the role of this macroalga as a biomonitor or in bioremediation experiments.

Evaluation of the nutritional value of seaweed products for broiler chickens’ nutrition

The use of seaweed as feed ingredient is gaining interest but the high ash content, low nutrient digestibility, short shelf life and poor economic feasibility hamper practical application.This study investigates the effect of washing, ensiling and extraction processes on the nutritional value of seaweed products for broilers, based on nutrient content and in vitro and in vivo digestibility. The effects of ensiling, washing and extraction processes were evaluated using Saccharina latissima, Laminaria digitata and Ulva lactuca, with 2, 4, and 6 h incubations in an in vitro simulated digestibility model, to obtain insight into the kinetics of digestibility. In an in vivo study, 160 Ross 308 male broilers were fed (day 14–22) a basal grower diet, or the basal grower diet with 100 g/kg of S. latissima silage or silage residue. Performance and ileal and total tract nutrient digestibility were determined. Washing and ensiling reduced the ash content, but also the in vitro organic matter digestibility (both P < 0.001). Washing also reduced nitrogen digestibility (P < 0.001). Extraction of seaweed decreased in vitro organic matter and nitrogen digestibility. Feeding seaweed diets to broilers resulted in a higher feed conversion ratio (1.62 versus 1.86 and 1.77 for broilers fed the basal, silage and silage residue diets respectively, P < 0.001) without increase in final body weight. Feeding S. latissima silage residue compared to silage resulted in a slightly better broiler performance and a higher amino acid digestibility. In conclusion, washing, ensiling and extraction processes reduce the nutritional value of the seaweed products, and do not make seaweed suitable for inclusion in broiler diets. To create suitable seaweed products for inclusion in broiler diets, a further reduction in the ash content and increase in digestibility is needed.

Production of Ulvan Oligosaccharides with Antioxidant and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-Inhibitory Activities by Microbial Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Seaweed oligosaccharides have attracted attention in food, agricultural, and medical applications recently. Compared to red and brown seaweeds, fewer studies have focused on the biological activity of green seaweed’s oligosaccharides. This study aimed to produce bioactive ulvan oligosaccharides via enzymatic hydrolysis from green seaweed Ulva lactuca. Ulvan, a water-soluble polysaccharide, was obtained by hot water extraction. Two isolated marine bacteria, Pseudomonas vesicularis MA103 and Aeromonas salmonicida MAEF108, were used to produce multiple hydrolases, such as ulvanolytic enzymes, amylase, cellulase, and xylanase, to degrade the ulvan extract. An ultrafiltration system was used to separate the enzymatic hydrolysate to acquire the ulvan oligosaccharides (UOS). The characteristics of the ulvan extract and the UOS were determined by yield, reducing sugar, uronic acid, sulfate group, and total phenols. The FT-IR spectrum indicated that the ulvan extract and the UOS presented the bands associated with O-H, C=O, C-O, and S=O stretching. Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and antioxidant activities in vitro were evaluated in the ulvan extract and the UOS. These results provide a practical approach to producing bioactive UOS by microbial enzymatic hydrolysis that can benefit the development of seaweed-based products at the industrial scale.

Effects of seaweed ( Ulva lactuca ) and freshwater ( Spirogyra sp.) algae extracts on the salt tolerance of the bean ( Vicia faba L.)

Seed priming with algae extracts is a promising alternative to stimulate growth, development, and mitigate the harmful effects of salinity on plants. In the present study, we studied under a greenhouse, the effect of priming the seeds of bean (Vicia faba L.), with two concentrations (1% and 10%) of seaweed Ulva lactuca extract (SWE) and freshwater alga Spirogyra sp. extract, on some physiological and biochemical parameters of the bean, under four salinity levels (0, 2, 8, and 32 dS/m). The results indicated that the use of SWE and freshwater alga extract has no significant effect on proline content, total soluble sugars content, and electrolytes leakage, compared to untreated control, except for the salinity level S2 (8 dS/m) where the use of the freshwater alga extract at a concentration of 10% aggravated the leakage of electrolytes by 56% compared to the control. In non-saline condition, chlorophyll pigment content showed no significant variation between plants from treated and untreated seeds, but under the highest salinity level S3 (32 dS/m), the chlorophyll pigment content was significantly improved by the use of SWE and freshwater alga extract. Overall under saline conditions, the priming in algae extracts seemed to have a positive effect on bean, which could account, at least in part, for the enhanced chlorophyll pigments content. Novelty impact statement The effect of seed priming of the bean by two concentrations of seaweed (Ulva lactuca) and freshwater extracts was studied. Mitigating the effect of saline stress on the physiological and biochemical parameters of the bean was targeted. The saline stress of the bean on the chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content was improved below the highest salinity level. The use of freshwater algae extracts with the same concentration aggravated the leakage of electrolytes.

Regulation of p53 Activity by (+)-Epiloliolide Isolated from Ulva lactuca.

Ulva lactuca (U. lactuca) is a green alga distributed worldwide and used as a food and cosmetic material. In our previous study, we determined the effects of U. lactuca methanol extracts on the UVB-induced DNA repair. In the present study, we fractionated U. lactuca methanol extracts to identify the effective compound for the DNA repair. MTT assay demonstrated that (+)-epiloliolide showed no cytotoxicity up to 100 μM in BJ-5ta human dermal fibroblast. Upon no treatment, exposure to UVB 400 J/m2 decreased cell viability by 45%, whereas (+)-epiloliolide treatment for 24 h after UVB exposure significantly increased the cell viability. In GO and GESA analysis, a number of differentially expressed genes were uniquely expressed in (+)-epiloliolide treated cells, which were enriched in the p53 signaling pathway and excision repair. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that (+)-epiloliolide increased the nuclear localization of p53. Comet assay demonstrated that (+)-epiloliolide decreased tail moment increased by UVB. Western blot analysis demonstrated that (+)-epiloliolide decreased the levels of p-p53, p21, Bax, and Bim, but increased that of Bcl-2. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) demonstrated that (+)-epiloliolide decreased the levels of MMP 1, 9, and 13, but increased that of COL1A1. These results suggest that (+)-epiloliolide regulates p53 activity and has protective effects against UVB.

Levels of taurine, hypotaurine and homotaurine, and amino acids profiles in selected commercial seaweeds, microalgae, and algae-enriched food products

Amino acids and sulfonic acid derivatives (Taurine-Tau; Hypotaurine-HypTau; Homotaurine-HTau) of 26 different species of commercial macroalgae, microalgae and 10 algae-enriched food products from the market were quantified in a single chromatographic run. Tau and analogues were predominantly distributed in red species followed by green and brown species. Palmaria palmata, Gracilaria longissima and Porphyra sp. were the species with the highest content of Tau and total sulfonic acid derivatives (TAD). Notwithstanding, relatively high concentrations of HTau were found in green algae Ulva lactuca and G. vermicullophyla as well as in the brown algae Undaria pinnatifida. HTau and HypTau were found at lower concentrations than Tau in all species, except in Ulva lactuca. The samples with the highest protein content were the green species Chlorella vulgaris, Nannochloropsis, and Afanizomenon-flos aquae, followed by the red algae Gracilaria longissima and Gracilaria vermicullophyla.Samples of pasta formulated with algae ingredients contained the highest levels of sulfonic acid derivatives, evidencing that these products can provide levels of TAD comparable to those found in foods of animal origin.This study provides, for the first time, quantitative information regarding the distribution of sulfonic acid derivatives and total amino acids in multiple algae species as well as the nutritional impact of the inclusion of algae ingredients in commercial food matrices.

Effect of &lt;em&gt;Ulva lactuca&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Sargassum cinereum&lt;/em&gt; Supplemented Diets on Growth Performance of Koi Carp (&lt;em&gt;Cyprinus carpio&lt;/em&gt; Linnaeus, 1758) Fry in Laboratory Conditions

There is a potential to formulate cost effective aquafeeds using seaweeds in the littoral zone of the coastal belt of Sri Lanka. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of seaweed supplemented diets on the growth of Koi carp. The experimental set up consisted of a control (C) and two experimental treatments (T₁ and T₂). The control diet (without seaweed) and the two test diets, of which 30% of the weight of control diet was replaced by <em>Ulva lactuca </em>and <em>Sargassum cinereum </em>were fed to Koi carps in C, T₁ and T₂ respectively. Proximate analyses were carried out for both ingredients, and the diets were prepared following standard methods. Koi carp in fry stage belonging to the same cohort (weight 2.20±0.08 g, length 3.89±0.04 cm) were assigned to C, T₁ and T₂ in fiber tanks filled with 150L of water (n=20 per tank) with four replicates each. The fish were fed 5% of their body weight twice a day (09.00h and 15.00h) for 14 weeks. The length and weight measurements were recorded once in two weeks. Fish performance was compared using Body Weight Gain (BWG), Daily Growth Rate (DGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Feed Efficiency (FE), Fulton’s Condition Factor and survival rates. At the end 14^th week of the experiment, mean values of the weight, length, BWG, DGR showed a significant difference (<em>p</em>&lt;0.05) among treatments. Tukey test revealed that FCR of the T₂ and T₁ were significantly different (<em>p</em>&lt;0.05) from the Control and FE of T2 was significantly different (<em>p</em>&lt;0.05) from the C. Condition Factor and water quality parameters did not show a significant difference (<em>p</em>&gt;0.05) among treatments. There was a 100% survival rate in all groups. Aquafeeds supplemented with seaweeds showed promising results in terms of increasing growth rates of young Koi carps.

Developing efficient nutrient removal and resource recovery strategy towards synergistic MLW treatment using macroalgae in a flat panel photobioreactor

The present study conceived a novel technology – ‘MARiNE photobioreactor (PBR): MacroAlgae Remediates Nutrients for Energy in PBR’. The technology targets the simultaneous treatment of desalination effluent and municipal liquid waste. The present study showcases the proof of concept wherein Ulva lactuca, a marine green macroalga, well-reported for its pollutant scavenging properties, has been explored for the synchronized treatment of two effluents, namely desalination effluent and municipal liquid waste and making it safe for marine discharge. A total nutrient removal of 94.1%, 80.4%, and 100% for COD, TN, and TP was achieved at an optimum HRT of 12 h with the highest biomass productivity of 340 g DW m−2 d-1. The study demonstrates MARiNE PBR to be a biologically cohesive strategy for rapid MLW remediation. A presumptive proposal for biorefinery of the generated biomass which enables recycling of the captured nutrients from the effluents is also proposed.

Crosslinked complex films based on chitosan and ulvan with antioxidant and whitening activities

The aim of this study was to prepare complex films based on chitosan and ulvan through crosslinking and analyze their bioactivities. The ulvan extracted from Ulva lactuca was composed of uronic acid and sulfated rhamnose as the main monosaccharides in which it had a sulfate content of 16.25 ± 1.19 wt%. During preparation, ionic crosslinking occurred between chitosan and ulvan and enhanced by adding tripolyphosphate and glycerol, in which the tensile strength was increased from 1.09 to 2.67 MPa. Compared to chitosan-based film, the complex films had higher swelling ratio and water vapor transmission rate. The complex films showed antioxidant and whitening activities mainly due to the ulvan. A sustained ulvan release (40–65% for 12-h releasing) from these films was observed. Especially, addition of chlorophyll to films increased the ulvan release to 64.8% and enhanced their bioactivities, showing a synergism effect. They were biocompatible to normal cells but toxic to melanoma cancer cell, presenting cell selectivity which was related to the reactive oxygen species generation. Briefly, the crosslinked complex films based on chitosan and ulvan with suitable physicochemical properties and improved antioxidant and whitening ability could have a great potential to be used as a new biomaterial in the future.

Contribution to the Study of Biotechnological Control Techniques Applied Against Biocorrosion Oil Installations

The biological activity of oil extracted from green algae has long been known, but evaluation of bimolecular activities contained in this oil on an industrial scale, especially in the oil industry, was the objective of our research project. The first stapes of this study is to extract the essential oil from green algae marine Ulva Lactuca in our region, obtained by extraction/purification method based on hydro distillation and methanol extraction, the work performed at the laboratories of Sonatrach (SH/DTD/AUI/CEM). The second stapes is to evaluate the potential of these algae extracts on microbiologically influenced corrosion. After chemical-physic characterization of two bio naturals products A and B, we test their effectiveness as a bactericide on bacterial corrosion of carbon steel in water contained sulfate reducing bacteria by electrochemical analysis techniques (Open-circuit potential/OCP and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy/EIS).