The Feasibility of Using Agarophyte Processing Waste

When agarophytes are processed, 16-89% algal waste (AW) is formed. Due to the high content of minerals in this waste and the presence of proteins that are resistant to the action of proteolytic enzymes, such AW is mainly used in the production of feed for farm animals. The significant content of polysaccharides in dry AW indicates that it could be used as a raw material for the production of dietary fiber (DF). Due to the difference in the chemical composition of AW depending on the type of red algae, different approaches for its deproteinization have been used. Thus, a 3% alkali solution should be used for the deproteinization of algal waste from the red algae Gracilaria, a 0.5% alkali solution for GelidiumAW, and a 1% sodium carbonate solution for A. plicataAW.The duration of the deproteinization process is 30 min at a temperature of 97±2 ∘C for all types of AW. In this study, functional and technological solutions of DF from AW were developed. The results showed that their water binding capacity was 6-22 g of water per 1 g of the preparation, the fat binding capacity was 1.6-3.3 g of fat per 1 g of the preparation, and the swelling capacity was 46-312% depending on the type of red algae.The obtained DF was used in the production of minced fish food products of the ‘fish sticks’ type, based on minced fish and consisting of cod and pink salmon. The study of the chemical composition and calorie content of the developed food product showed the possibility of its use in dietary nutrition. Keywords: red algae, algal waste, deproteinization, dietary fiber

Influence of the Structural Features of Carrageenans from Red Algae of the Far Eastern Seas on Their Antiviral Properties

The structural diversity and unique physicochemical properties of sulphated polysaccharides of red algae carrageenans (CRGs), to a great extent, determine the wide range of their antiviral properties. This work aimed to compare the antiviral activities of different structural types of CRGs: against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and enterovirus (ECHO-1). We found that CRGs significantly increased the resistance of Vero cells to virus infection (preventive effect), directly affected virus particles (virucidal effect), inhibited the attachment and penetration of virus to cells, and were more effective against HSV-1. CRG1 showed the highest virucidal effect on HSV-1 particles with a selective index (SI) of 100. CRG2 exhibited the highest antiviral activity by inhibiting HSV-1 and ECHO-1 plaque formation, with a SI of 110 and 59, respectively, when it was added before virus infection. CRG2 also significantly reduced the attachment of HSV-1 and ECHO-1 to cells compared to other CRGs. It was shown by molecular docking that tetrasaccharides—CRGs are able to bind with the HSV-1 surface glycoprotein, gD, to prevent virus–cell interactions. The revealed differences in the effect of CRGs on different stages of the lifecycle of the viruses are apparently related to the structural features of the investigated compounds.

High Diversity and Abundance of Foraminifera Associated with Mediterranean Benthic Red Algae Mats

The Mediterranean Sea comprises habitats such as Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows that exhibit high associated biodiversity of sessile organisms. Recent pilot research indicates that benthic mats formed by the scarcely investigated fleshy red alga Phyllophora crispa also host a high diversity of benthic fauna. Among the key taxa found in these mats in the recent pilot studies are benthic foraminifera that live as epiphytes on the red algae thalli. Knowledge about their abundance and species richness associated with this habitat in relation to reference habitats is missing. We thus carried out a comparative assessment focusing on foraminifera within samples from P. crispa mats and neighboring P. oceanica meadows on five different sampling sites around Giglio Island in the Tuscan Archipelago (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). A total of 104 different foraminiferal taxa were identified, of which a total of 85 taxa were found in P. crispa samples (46 exclusively in this habitat). This biodiversity was higher compared to other studies on phytal habitats in the Mediterranean Sea. The number of foraminiferal taxa associated with P. crispa was significantly higher (average 27.5 ± 8.1 taxa) compared to P. oceanica (leaves average 7.0 ± 3.6, shoots average 7.9 ± 3.4 taxa). The abundance of foraminifera (12,000 individuals m−2 surface area of P. crispa mat) was also higher than in the neighboring P. oceanica meadows (7792 individuals m−2 leaf and 8171 individuals m−2 shoot surface area). The most frequently found taxa across habitats were Miniacina miniacea, Lobatula lobatula, and Sejunctella sp. (24%, 20%, and 6% of the total population, respectively). Our results imply that P. crispa mats host an exceptional diversity of associated foraminifera that is even higher than those associated with seagrass meadows. Red algae mats built by P. crispa may thus be considered as potential refuge habitats and biodiversity reservoirs in management and conservation.

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROSCOPY ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION OF BIOACTIVITIES IN THE CHLOROFORM EXTRACT OF HALYMENIA DILATATA ZANARDINI (RED ALGAE) COLLECTED FROM MANDAPAM, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Objective: This study was to determine the presence of biochemicals and prediction of bioactivities in the chloroform extract of Halymenia dilatata Zanardini (Red algae) collected from Mandapam, Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: The active biological components in the chloroform extract of H. dilatata Zanardini were studied using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and the biological activities were predicted by prediction activity spectra for substances technique. Results: The analysis revealed the two bioactive components such as N-Hexadecanoic acid (5.384%) and 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, Mono(2- Ethylhexyl) Ester (94.616%). In 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, Mono(2-Ethylhexyl) Ester, 1933 biological activities were predicted. Among the biological activities, 74 were highly active and their Pa score is above 70%. In Pa>0.7, there a 15 different activities are predicated including antitumor (91.5%) followed by anti-inflammatory (89.7%), antimicrobial (84.7%), anti-inflammatory (74.5%), etc. Conclusion: The present study provided the bioactive components present in the chloroform extract of H. dilatata Zanardini by GC-MS analysis and the prediction of biological studies by prediction of activity spectra for substances.

Classification and phylogeny research v1

Methods for morphological classification and molecular phylogeny of freshwater red algae

From Seaweeds to Cosmeceutics: A Multidisciplinar Approach

Macroalgae are widespread on the coasts of all the globe and lead to a negative ecological impact, requiring expensive remediations. Therefore, the valorization of invasive seaweed as a renewable source of bioactive products could represent a valid solution. In this context, three algal biomasses, belonging to brown, green, and red families (Sargassum muticum, Ulva lactuca, Solieria filiformis), collected in the venetian Laguna, were investigated as a source of active compounds for the formulation of cosmeceutics. Microwave (MW) and ultrasound (US) were applied to enhance the algae extraction by means of a hydroalcoholic solution. According to total phenolic content (TPC) evaluation, MW demonstrated the best performing outcomes, resulting in 19.77, 22.02, and 16.94 mgGAE/gExtr (30 min at 90 °C) for brown, green, and red algae, respectively. Antioxidant activity was tested as well, showing comparable trends (49.19, 26.24, and 3.02 mmolTrolox eq./gExtr for brown, green, and red algae, respectively). Due to natural algae predisposition to absorb contaminants, the metal content analysis helped to screen the applicability of these extracts, identifying Ulva lactuca as the most suitable source of antioxidants for cosmetic formulations. This MW extract was then adopted to formulate two different preparations, namely a gel and an emulsion. Thermal and mechanical tests confirmed the stability of each formulation, together with neutral organoleptic characteristics. Finally, the actives release was investigated by means of a tape stripping essay, showing an efficient controlled release for gel formulation, even after 7 h of test. The produced cosmeceutics merged non-conventional extraction technologies with formulation expertise, offering a valuable alternative to solve the macroalgae disposal issue.