Structural Characterization of Sulfated Polysaccharide Isolated From Red Algae (Gelidium crinale) and Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Macrophage Cells

Gelidium crinale, the red algae belonging to Geliaceae Gelidium, is a traditional edible and industrial alga in China. A sulfated polysaccharide (GNP) is successfully separated from Gelidium crinale by acid extraction and two-step column chromatography. Chemical analysis showed that the molecular weight of GNP was 25.8 kDa and the monosaccharide composition had the highest galactose content and confirmed the presence and content (16.5%) of sulfate by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrometry as well as barium chloride-gelatin methods. In addition, the effect of GNP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in macrophages was also evaluated. The research results showed that GNP had fairly strong scavenging activities on 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical, hydroxyl radical, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and had Fe2+-chelating ability in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, it significantly inhibits the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS through blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) signaling pathway. These results indicate that GNP may be a latent component anti-inflammation in pharmaceutical and functional food industries.

DIVERSITY OF RED ALGAE (RHODOPHYTA) ON MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM IN EKAS VILLAGES, EAST LOMBOK DISTRICT

Mangrove ecosystem is a unique ecosystem with a mix of marine and terrestrial environment. Mangrove forests provide food and nutrients for other organisms such as fish, crustaceans, and algae. Red algae play an important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and food chains. This study aims to determine the types, morphological characteristics and key identification, the relationship of red algae types and substrate types to the ecosystem of mangrove forest in Dusun Ekas. This research is explorative descriptive by using purposive sampling method at 5 stations. Based on the results of the red algae study obtained as many as 14 species are: Bostrychia sp., B. radicans, B. tenella, Chondria sp., Laurencia sp., Polysiphonia sp., Murrayella sp., C. Leprieurii, C. Monostica, Gelidium sp ., Gelidium crinale, Catenella caespitosa, Catenella nippae and Catenella sp. Characteristics of the talus were found to have a cylindrical talus and some like leaves (blade). Red algae (Rhodophyta) found more in the station that dominated by Soneratia alba species. Ekosistem mangrove merupakan ekosistem yang unik dengan perpaduan pengaruh lingkungan laut dan daratan. Hutan mangrove menyediakan sumber makanan dan nutrisi untuk organisme lain seperti ikan, crustacea, dan alga. Alga merah berperan penting menjaga keseimbangan ekosistem dan rantai makanan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui jenis-jenis, ciri morfologi dan kunci identifikasi, hubungan jenis alga merah dan jenis substratnya pada ekosistem hutan mangrove di Dusun Ekas. Penelitin ini bersifat deskriptif eksploratif dengan menggunakan metode purposive sampling pada 5 stasiun. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian alga merah yang diperoleh sebanyak 14 spesies yaitu: Bostrychia sp., B. radicans, B. tenella, Chondria sp., Laurencia sp., Polysiphonia sp., Murrayella sp., C. Leprieurii, C. Monostica, Gelidium sp., Gelidium crinale, Catenella caespitosa, Catenella nippae dan Catenella sp. Karakteristik talus yang ditemukan ada yang memiliki talus silindris dan ada yang seperti daun (blade). Alga merah (Rhodophyta) yang ditemukan lebih banyak pada stasiun yang memiliki mangrove jenis Soneratia alba.

Morphological and molecular studies on Gelidiaceae and Gelidiellaceae (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) from Brazil with description of the new species Gelidium calidum

Because of phenotypic plasticity, undefined specific boundaries, and specimens that are rarely fertile, species recognition in Gelidiales has been extremely difficult and controversial. Fifteen species of Gelidiellaceae and Gelidiaceae have been reported in Brazil with the majority in regional floristic studies or species lists. Thus, Gelidiales species have not received enough attention in Brazil, and many taxonomic problems remain unresolved. In this study, an integrative systematic approach based on the morphology of the vegetative and reproductive structures and two molecular markers, cox1 and rbcL, was used for 54 samples collected along the Brazilian coast. Five Gelidiaceae, including Gelidium crinale, G. floridanum, G. lineare, G. microdonticum and a new species here proposed as G. calidum, were found. The occurrence of Gelidiella acerosa, Ge. flabella, Millerella myrioclada, and two undescribed species, Gelidiella sp. and Millerella sp. were confirmed in Gelidiellaceae. Gelidiaceae and Gelidiellaceae species could be distinguished from each other by molecular and morphological approaches, except for Gelidium crinale and the new species, G. calidum, which were distinguished only by molecular data.