scholarly journals New Insights on the Sporulation, Germination, and Nutritional Profile of Gracilaria gracilis (Rhodophyta) Grown under Controlled Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 562
Author(s):  
Marta V. Freitas ◽  
Teresa Mouga ◽  
Ana Patrícia Correia ◽  
Clélia Afonso ◽  
Teresa Baptista

The red seaweed Gracilaria gracilis is a widely cultivated species known for its high agar content. It is also an important source of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The chemical profile of seaweed depends on the cultivation methods used and the growing conditions to which they are exposed. Thus, two independent methods of sporulation and germination were tested upon Gracilaria gracilis grown in controlled conditions. During the tests, different substrates, culture media and incubation times were tested to induce cystocarp maturation. The results showed that cystocarp maturation and spore release were successful, with a visible volume increase and format change in the protruding cystocarps. Furthermore, the process of maturation to germination was accomplished, fulfilling the complete life cycle. In parallel, the nutritional profile of the biomass obtained was evaluated and compared with the nutritional values of biomass collected from the environment. Results showed no significant differences between wild specimens and cultivated ones in organic matter, ash content, lipid content, carbohydrates, or phycocolloid content. The present work, therefore, presents two simple alternative methods with potential applications in start-ups aimed at the cultivation of seaweed. Through these methods, it is possible to obtain biomass with nutritional characteristics similar to those obtained in the wild.

Author(s):  
Mohd Amin Marwan Mohamad ◽  
Muhammad Alif Mazlan ◽  
Muhammad Ibrahim ◽  
Afzan Mat Yusof ◽  
Shamsul Azlin Ahmad Shamsuddin ◽  
...  

Stem cells provide various potential applications in regenerative medicine through its ability of self-renewal and differentiation. Among the various stem cells, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have shown encouraging results in their ability to regenerate. Honey has been used in traditional culture as a natural medicine in supporting wound healing. Yet, very few studies on honey were conducted for its potential as a proliferative agent for stem cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stability of two Trigona spp. honeys (1 and 2) added in culture media and its proliferative effect on DPSCs. Both honeys were diluted with standard culture medium through dilution process to prepare the concentrations of 0.01%, 0.04%, 0.10% and 0.25%. DPSCs were treated with the diluted honeys for 24 hours. The proliferative activity was determined through the images taken using an inverted microscope for every six hours. In addition, the MTT assay was conducted to determine the cell viability of DPSCs when treated with both honey 1 and 2 at various concentrations. The results showed a stable culture media added with honey for three days and a dose-dependent proliferative effect of both Trigona spp. honey samples on DPSCs. Optimum proliferative effects were observed at 24 hours for both Trigona spp. honey 1 and 2 on DPSCs. The optimum concentration of Trigona spp. honey 1 was from 0.04% to 0.10% and Trigona spp. honey 2 was below 0.01%. It is concluded that Trigona spp. honey has a promising proliferative effect on DPSCs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yupi ISNAINI ◽  
Titien Ngatinem Praptosuwiryo

Abstract. Isnaini Y, Praptosuwiryo TNg. 2020. In vitro spore germination and early gametophyte development of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. in different media. Biodiversitas 21: 5373-5381. Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. is known as the golden chicken fern and included in Appendix II of CITES. It is an important export commodity for traditional and modern medicine. Globally, populations of this species are under significant pressure due to overexploitation in the wild. In vitro culture is one of the technologies used for ex-situ propagation and conservation of rare and endangered ferns and lycophytes. This study’s objectives were: (i) to observe in vitro spore germination and early gametophyte development of C. barometz, and (ii) to determine the best culture medium for rapid spore germination and early development of the gametophytes. The sterilized spores were sown in half-strength Murashige & Skoog (½MS) basal medium supplemented with combinations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). A factorial combination of four BAP concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mg L-1) with four concentrations of NAA (0; 0.01; 0.03 and 0.05 mg L-1) created 16 treatments replicated in a Completely Randomized Design. Spore germination of C. barometz was observed to be Vittaria-type, and its prothallial development was Drynaria-type. Spore germination started 7-14 days after sowing. Young heart-shape gametophytes consisting of 110-240 cells were formed in 45-61 days after sowing. The two best spore culture media for rapid spore germination and development of C. barometz gametophytes were ½ MS with or without 2 mg L-1 BAP.


2020 ◽  
Vol 128 (10) ◽  
pp. 672-680
Author(s):  
Max Kurlbaum ◽  
Silviu Sbiera ◽  
Sabine Kendl ◽  
M. Martin Fassnacht ◽  
Matthias Kroiss

Abstract Context NCI-H295 cells are the most widely used model for adrenal steroidogenesis and adrenocortical carcinoma and have been used for decades in laboratories worldwide. However, reported steroidogenic properties differ considerably. Objective To evaluate heterogeneity of steroidogenesis among NCI-H295 cell strains, clarify the influence of culture media and test response to inhibitors of steroidogenesis by using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Methods NCI-H295 cells were obtained from two cell banks and cultivated in different media. An LC-MS/MS-based panel analysis of thirteen steroids was adapted for cell culture supernatant. Cells were treated with metyrapone, abiraterone and mitotane. Results Mineralocorticoid synthesis was strongly affected by passaging as reflected by reduction of aldosterone secretion from 0.158±0.006 to 0.017±0.001 µg/106 cells (p<0.05). Relevant differences were also found for cells from two vendors in terms of aldosterone secretion (0.180±0.001 vs. 0.09±0.002 µg/106 cells, p<0.05). Selection of medium strongly impacted on cortisol secretion with>4-fold difference (40.6±5.5 vs. 182.1±23 µg/106 cells) and reflected differential activation of the glucocorticoid pathway. Exposure to abiraterone, metyrapone and mitotane resulted in characteristic steroidogenic profiles consistent with known mechanism of drug action with considerable differences in metabolites upstream of the blocked enzyme. Conclusion We demonstrate that steroid hormone secretion in NCI-H295 cells is strongly affected by the individual strain, passage and growing conditions. These factors should be taken into account in the evaluation of experiments analyzing steroid parameters directly or as surrogate parameters of cell viability.


Biofilms ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Schooling ◽  
U. K. Charaf ◽  
D. G. Allison ◽  
P. Gilbert

Biofilms are often considered as localized zones of high cell density. Quorum sensing provides a means for control of population processes and has been implicated in the regulation of biofilm activities. We present a role for quorum sensing in programmed detachment and dispersal processes. Biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and its isogenic homoserine lactone (HSL) mutant P. aeruginosa PAO-JP2 were grown in batch culture on glass substrata; differences were found in the rate and extent of formation of biofilm. Climax communities were observed for PAO1 at 24 h. These were later accompanied by foaming, a drop in the surface tension of culture media and dispersal of the biofilm, after which no subsequent biofilm accretion occurred. PAO-JP2 cultures reformed biofilm post-detachment and did not foam. Prevention of biofilm reformation in the wild type was related to some component excreted into the culture medium. Rhamnolipid, a biosurfactant regulated by quorum sensing, was detected in PAO1 cultures. When rhamnolipid was added to freshly inoculated substrata, biofilm formation was inhibited. At 20 h, PAO1 biofilms were transferred to medium with added rhamnolipid: biofilm was relatively unaffected. Biofilm events were also studied in medium supplemented with N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone, which is involved in the regulation of rhamnolipid synthesis. Both strains exhibited similar trends of rapid biofilm formation and dramatic changes in the rate and extent of biofilm accretion. In both cases, there was premature foaming, lowered surface tension and elevated rhamnolipid levels. A role for HSLs in maintenance of biofilm and events leading to dispersion of cells is proposed. This role would encompass dispersion but not necessarily detachment of cells from biofilm and supports a new function for rhamnolipid in pathogenesis, whereby rhamnolipid would promote the dissemination of cells from a nidus of infection.


2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (4) ◽  
pp. F742-F748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaru Watanabe ◽  
Masato Konishi ◽  
Ichiro Ohkido ◽  
Senya Matsufuji

To study the regulatory mechanisms of intracellular Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) in renal tubular cells as well as in other cell types, we established a mutant strain of mouse renal cortical tubular cells that can grow in culture media with very high extracellular Mg2+ concentrations ([Mg2+]o > 100 mM: 101Mg-tolerant cells). [Mg2+]i was measured with a fluorescent indicator furaptra (mag-fura 2) in wild-type and 101Mg-tolerant cells. The average level of [Mg2+]i in the 101Mg-tolerant cells was kept lower than that in the wild-type cells either at 51 mM or 1 mM [Mg2+]o. When [Mg2+]o was lowered from 51 to 1 mM, the decrease in [Mg2+]i was significantly faster in the 101Mg-tolerant cells than in the wild-type cells. These differences between the 101Mg-tolerant cells and the wild-type cells were abolished in the absence of extracellular Na+ or in the presence of imipramine, a known inhibitor of Na+/Mg2+ exchange. We conclude that Na+-dependent Mg2+ transport activity is enhanced in the 101Mg-tolerant cells. The enhanced Mg2+ extrusion may prevent [Mg2+]i increase to higher levels and may be responsible for the Mg2+ tolerance.


2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mavridou ◽  
E. Smeti ◽  
G. Mandilara ◽  
P. Boufa ◽  
M. Vagiona-Arvanitidou ◽  
...  

In this study ten laboratories in Greece compared the performance of reference method TTC Tergitol 7 Agar (with the additional test of β-glucuronidase production) with five alternative methods, to detect E. coli in water, in line with European Water Directive recommendations. The samples were prepared by spiking drinking water with sewage effluent following a standard protocol. Chlorinated and non-chlorinated samples were used. The statistical analysis was based on the mean relative difference of confirmed counts and was performed in line with ISO 17994. The results showed that in total, three of the alternative methods (Chromocult Coliform agar, Membrane Lauryl Sulfate agar and Trypton Bilex-glucuronidase medium) were not different from TTC Tergitol 7 agar (TTC Tergitol 7 agar vs Chromocult Coliform agar, 294 samples, mean RD% 5.55; vs MLSA, 302 samples, mean RD% 1; vs TBX, 297 samples, mean RD% −2.78). The other two alternative methods (Membrane Faecal coliform medium and Colilert 18/ Quantitray) gave significantly higher counts than TTC Tergitol 7 agar (TTC Tergitol 7 agar vs MFc, 303 samples, mean RD% 8.81; vs Colilert-18/Quantitray, 76 samples, mean RD% 18.91). In other words, the alternative methods generated performance that was as reliable as, or even better than, the reference method. This study will help laboratories in Greece overcome culture and counting problems deriving from the EU reference method for E. coli counts in water samples.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Ashraf ◽  
DC Hunter ◽  
C Bérénos ◽  
PA Ellis ◽  
SE Johnston ◽  
...  

AbstractGenomic prediction, the technique whereby an individual’s genetic component of their phenotype is estimated from its genome, has revolutionised animal and plant breeding and medical genetics. However, despite being first introduced nearly two decades ago, it has hardly been adopted by the evolutionary genetics community studying wild organisms. Here, genomic prediction is performed on eight traits in a wild population of Soay sheep. The population has been the focus of a >30 year evolutionary ecology study and there is already considerable understanding of the genetic architecture of the focal Mendelian and quantitative traits. We show that the accuracy of genomic prediction is high for all traits, but especially those with loci of large effect segregating. Five different methods are compared, and the two methods that can accommodate zero-effect and large-effect loci in the same model tend to perform best. If the accuracy of genomic prediction is similar in other wild populations, then there is a real opportunity for pedigree-free molecular quantitative genetics research to be enabled in many more wild populations; currently the literature is dominated by studies that have required decades of field data collection to generate sufficiently deep pedigrees. Finally, some of the potential applications of genomic prediction in wild populations are discussed.


Author(s):  
Galstyan H. M ◽  
Dumanyan K. H ◽  
Tsaturyan A. O ◽  
Gukasyan N. H ◽  
Engibaryan A. A ◽  
...  

It was approved that flavonoids (luteoline, apigenin) and phenylpropanoid glycosides verbascoside best separation was implemented by using UM detector and isocratic isolation regime. Depending on the growing conditions main influencing substance quantities fluctuate: in the wild growing plants were synthesized nearly 2 times more than in hydroponic growing plants. For the study were obtained 500 alcoholic extracts from hydroponic and wild growing T. polium. The studied samples before analysis were developed three-chloral-acetic-acid anhydride and centrifuged by 10 minutes 12000 rev/m speeds. The solution volume of each injected analysis was 10 mkl. Then some amount of standard verbascoside, luteolin and apigenin samples were solved in 1ml ethyl alcohol and were filled into the special test tubes for analysis. By T. polium chloroform-methanol and tower chromatography water fractions teupolizoid, verbascoside and poliumozid phenylpropanoid glycosides were separated which Rf were equal to 0.25, 0.5, 0.37 in our researches in the past. These compounds composition was proved by complex spectroscopic methods. They had close structure to each other and verbascoside enclosed peaks in HPLC were supposed that belong to poliumozid and teupoliozid and also was brought the above mentioned compounds quantities by calculating chromatography data. Keywords: Teucrium polium L., wild and hydroponic, HPLC, standardization, verbascoside, apigenine, luteolin.


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