Comparison of Different Methods for Spongin-Like Collagen Extraction from Marine Sponges (Chondrilla caribensis and Aplysina fulva): Physicochemical Properties and In Vitro Biological Analysis

This study aimed to compare different protocols (Protocol 1: P1; Protocol 2: P2; Protocol 3: P3; Protocol 4: P4) for the extraction of spongin-like collagen (SC) from marine sponges. The SEM micrographs demonstrated a fibrillar structure for the extracts from Chondrilla caribensis and the nodular/particulate aggregates for Aplysina fulva. FTIR showed for all samples peaks similar to collagen for both species. For C. caribensis, the extracts obtained using P2, P3, and P4 protocols presented higher values of extraction yield, TPQ, and GAGs. P2 and P4 showed higher values of SC concentration and for antioxidant analysis. For A. fulva, P2, P3, and P4 provided a higher extraction yield besides an increase in the antioxidant assay. For both species, no difference was observed for Col quantification and TPQ analysis; also, higher values of GAGs were found using P2 and P4. Fibroblast proliferation observed for C. caribensis was lower for P1 on day 1 and for P2 and P3 on day 3 (for 50%) compared to the control group. There was a significant reduction in fibroblast cell proliferation for all A. fulva extracts evaluated. It can be concluded that protocols P2 and P4 were more efficient for extracting SC from C. caribensis.

Secondary metabolites, letalithy and antimicrobial activity of six marine sponges from Mochima Bay, Sucre state, Venezuela.

he specimens of the sponges Aplysina lacunosa, Aplysina fulva, Cliona varians, Cinachyrella kuekenthali, Amphimedon viridis and Aaptos pernucleata, were collected in Mochima Bay, Venezuela, in October 2009 with the purpose of identifying families of secondary metabolites and evaluating the antibacterial properties, antifungal and brine shrimp lethal study of the ethyl acetate soluble fractions of these sponges. The chemical evaluation showed the presence of alkaloids, sterols, triterpenes, methylene ketone and tannins. The ethyl acetate soluble fractions of A. pernucleata, A. fulva and A. lacunosa sponges were the only ones that showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli; the soluble fraction of A. lacunosa showed the highest inhibition zones. The antifungal activity was not significant, except for A. pernucleata sponge wich showed mild activity against Candida albicans. The most prominent lethal activity in Artemia salina, were observed for C. kuekenthali, A. viridis and A. pernucleata sponges, with LC50 values of 4,10, 1,13 and < 0,01µg/mL respectively. These results allow profiling the sponges A. lacunosa, A. pernucleata and A. fulva as promising sources of antimicrobial compounds and the sponges C. kuekenthali, A. viridis and A. pernucleata as sources of antitumor compounds.

Antifouling activity of twelve demosponges from Brazil

Benthic marine organisms are constantly exposed to fouling, which is harmful to most host species. Thus, the production of secondary metabolites containing antifouling properties is an important ecological advantage for sessile organisms and may also provide leading compounds for the development of antifouling paints. High antifouling potential of sponges has been demonstrated in the Indian and Pacific oceans and in the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas. Brazilian sponges remain understudied concerning antifouling activities. Only two scientific articles reported this activity in sponges of Brazil. The objective of this study was to test crude extracts of twelve species of sponges from Brazil against the attachment of the mussel Perna perna through laboratorial assays, and highlight promising species for future studies. The species Petromica citrina, Amphimedon viridis, Desmapsamma anchorata, Chondrosia sp., Polymastia janeirensis, Tedania ignis, Aplysina fulva, Mycale angulosa, Hymeniacidon heliophila, Dysidea etheria, Tethya rubra, and Tethya maza were frozen and freeze-dried before extraction with acetone or dichloromethane. The crude extract of four species significantly inhibited the attachment of byssus: Tethya rubra (p = 0.0009), Tethya maza (p = 0.0039), Petromica citrina (p = 0.0277), and Hymeniacidon heliophila (p = 0.00003). These species, specially, should be the target of future studies to detail the substances involved in the ability antifouling well as to define its amplitude of action.