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This work reports for the first time the anticandidal activity of the dichloromethane (DCM) extract from the Algerian invasive red marine algae A. armata Harvey. In a preliminary assessment, the DCM extract was screened for its antifungal activity against two strains of Candida albicans, namely (IP 444) and (ATCC 10231). As a well-established approach, the anticandidal activity was expressed as zone of inhibition by agar well and disk diffusion methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also determined for the two fungal strains. Within this framework, the DCM extract of the red algae A. armata has a strong inhibition effect against the considered Candida albicans strains. In addition, Candida albicans IP444 (MIC = 0.58 mg/mL) was more sensitive to DCM algal extract when compared to Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (MIC = 2.34 mg/mL). GC–MS analysis suggested that brominated compounds and fatty acids are responsible for anticandidal activity of dichloromethane extract of A. armata. These preliminary results may constitute a future applied of lipophilic extract of the red algae A. armata as a promising source of natural compounds with antifungal properties. more...

Red rot disease is one of the best-known algal diseases infecting red algae Pyropia species. This disease decreases the quality and quantity of Pyropia aquaculture products in Korea, Japan, and China. Recently we found that Pythium chondricola (Oomycetes) infects blades of Pyropia yezoensis. Therefore, two Pythium species (P. chondricola and P. porphyrae) have been reported as red rot disease pathogens. In this study, we developed a species-specific molecular marker for distinguishing between the two red rot disease pathogens. Using a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (cox2) and nuclear ribosomal RNA large subunit regions, we classified these two Pythium species without a sequencing step. This new method had high specificity and efficiency for detecting red rot disease pathogens at the species level for both of the cultured and field samples. Therefore, the molecular markers developed in this study are effective for long-term monitoring of the infection and distribution pattern of each Pythium species in Pyropia aquaculture farms. Moreover, molecular monitoring can provide useful information for predicting infection and preventing mass mortality of Pyropia species by red rot disease. more...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Research to find functional food from new natural sources has caught the attention of many researchers through the characterization of phytochemicals and biological activities. One potential source of natural ingredients is the red alga Eucheuma spinosum, which has been used as a daily source of natural food. The purpose of this study was to obtain a prospective new source of natural antioxidants from various extracts of tropical red alga (E. spinosum) through several tests, which were used as determinants of whether the alga can be used as a functional food source. MATERIALS AND METHODS Algal sample was extracted with organic solvents (methanol, n-hexane, ethyl-acetate and water) and purified by a combination of normal and reverse phase chromatography methods. RESULTS The algal extracts had antioxidant compounds based on free radical scavenging activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The ethyl acetate extract of E. spinosum scavenged DPPH and SOD free radicals, so that this extract was indicated contained powerful antioxidants. The result of the isolation of the antioxidant compound showed the presence of pure compound 3-(3-methoxyphenyl) propanal. CONCLUSION This study concluded that red algae E. spinosum contained natural antioxidants which have the potential to be developed as a functional food and disease prevention and treatment. In addition, the components of these antioxidant compounds from the algae have the potential to be used as natural sources of new functional ingredients. more...

Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition is one of the key factors for cardiovascular disease, and inhibition of ACE activity is related to the prevention of high blood pressure. Until now, some ACE inhibitory peptides have been found in the protein hydrolysates of red algae, and most of them were derived from phycobiliproteins and rubisco. In this study, we modified the preparation method to evaluate the potential of ACE inhibitory activity from protein hydrolysate of red algaMazzaella japonicaexcept for phycobiliproteins and rubisco. As a result, we identified 11 peptides (YRD, VSEGLD, TIMPHPR, GGPAT, SSNDYPI, SRIYNVKSNG, VDAHY, CPYDWV, YGDPDHY, NLGN and DFGVPGHEP) in the hydrolysate by the reversed phase-HPLC and MALDI-TOF/MS/MS. Among them, YRD would be derived from phycoerythrin alpha-subunit. However, the others would be from other proteins encoded in chloroplast or nuclear genomes. This study revealed that not only phycobiliproteins and rubisco but also the other proteins in red algae have the potential for the source of ACE inhibitory peptide. more...

Alga in the genus Chroothece have been reported mostly from aquatic or subaerial continental environments, where they grow in extreme conditions. The strain Chroothece mobilis MAESE 20.29 was exposed to different light intensities, red and green monochromatic light, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, high nitrogen concentrations, and high salinity to assess the effect of those environmental parameters on its growth. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used as an “in vivo” noninvasive single-cell method for the study. The strain seemed to prefer fairly high light intensities and showed a significant increase in allophycocyanin (APC) and chlorophyll a [photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII)] fluorescence with 330 and 789 μM/cm2/s intensities. Green monochromatic light promoted a significant increase in the fluorescence of APC and chlorophyll a (PSI and PSII). UV-A significantly decreased phycocyanin and increased APC, while UV-A + B showed a greater decreasing effect on c-Phycocyanin but did not significantly change concentrations of APC. The increase in nitrogen concentration in the culture medium significantly and negatively affected all pigments, and no effect was observed with an increase in salinity. Our data show that CLSM represents a very powerful tool for ecological research of microalgae in small volumes and may contribute to the knowledge of phycobiliproteins in vivo behavior and the parameters for the large-scale production of these pigments. more...

Two new species, one in the genus Incendia, and one in Seiria, are illustrated and described here from mesophotic peyssonnelioid specimens collected in the Hawaiian Islands based on molecular and morphological analyses. Both genera are reported from Hawai‘i for the first time. Incendia lisianskiensis sp. nov. differs from the other nine described members of the genus by its lack of hair cells, by the perithallial filaments arising at a more or less 90º angle from the hypothallus, while Seiria mesophotica sp. nov. is distinguished from the only other described species, S. magnifusa, by its lack of obvious and well-developed perithallial cell fusions. With the description of these two species the total number of recognized Hawaiian members of the Peyssonneliales rises to nine. Previously recorded species included Peyssonnelia conchicola, P. inamoena, P. japonica, P. rubra, Ramicrusta hawaiiensis, R. lehuensis, and Sonderophycus copusii. more...

Kumanoa belonging to the order Batrachospermales is the most species-rich and widely distributed genus of freshwater red algae in China. In this study, a new Kumanoa species is described and illustrated from Baiyun Mountain, Guangdong, China, based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analysis. Kumanoa baiyunensis sp. nov is morphologically distinguished from other species by presenting a small habit (0.5–1 cm tall) with abundant branching in upper part of the thallus; carposporophytes spherical and one per whorl; club-shaped trichogynes with distinct stalk; spermatangia sparse and single-grown, terminal on primary fascicles. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated rbcL+COI-5P+UPA alignment places Kumanoa baiyunensis in a well-supported clade (98/0.96, bootstrap proportion/posterior probability) sister to K. faroensis (from USA) and K. spermatiophora (from Hawaii) with high divergence (rbcL: 4.9%–5.0%, COI-5P: 10.1%–10.5%, UPA: 2.3%). In addition, K. baiyunensis can be easily distinguished from ten Kumanoa species reported in China through morphological features such as small thallus size, abundant branching in upper parts of the thallus, and spermatangia sparse, single-grown, and terminal on primary fascicles. The description of this new species expands the diversity of genus Kumanoa in the world. more...

The Erythropeltidales are a common group of small, mostly epiphytic, marine red algae. However, they are little known in Korea. Many of the described species of Erythropeltidales differ subtly in morphology, and often the morphological differences are due to the substrate or environmental changes. Integration of molecular data with stan- dardized culture conditions has been recommended to account for these algae. A Madagascaria species was first collected from the western coast of Korea and was identified as Madagascaria erythrocladioides based on the morphological and molecular characteristics. Morphological characteristics conformed well with its original description, and the phylogenetic analysis based on rbcL sequence showed Korean M. erythrocladioides nests in the same clade with the original species described in Japan with a genetic distance of 0.0-0.1%. This species was isolated from a red alga, Pterocladiella capillacea, in laboratory culture. The thallus ontogeny and host preference were examined by a co-culture with 13 different species of algae. Results showed a relatively broad host preference in mono-spore attachment and epiphyte development of Madagascaria erythrocladioides. Mono-spores of M. erythrocladioides attached to most of the red algal hosts’ surfaces but no crustose thalli developed on some of the algal hosts even after one month of co-culture. more...

An increase in seawater temperature owing to global warming is expected to substantially limit the growth of marine algae, including Pyropia yezoensis, a commercially valuable red alga. To improve our knowledge of the genes involved in the acquisition of heat tolerance in P. yezoensis, transcriptomes sequences were obtained from both the wild-type SG104 P. yezoensis and heat-tolerant mutant Gy500. We selected 1,251 differentially expressed genes that were up- or downregulated in response to the heat stress condition and in the heat-tolerant mutant Gy500, based on fragment per million reads expression values. Among them, PyHRG1 was downregulated under heat stress in SG104 and expressed at a low level in Gy500. PyHRG1 encodes a secretory protein of 26.5 kDa. PyHRG1 shows no significant sequence homology with any known genes deposited in public databases to date. However, PyHRG1 homologs were found in other red algae, including other Pyropia species. When PyHRG1 was introduced into the single-cell green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, transformed cells overexpressing PyHRG1 showed severely retarded growth. These results demonstrate that PyHRG1 encodes a novel red algae-specific protein and plays a role in heat tolerance in algae. The transcriptome sequences obtained in this study, which include PyHRG1, will facilitate future studies to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in heat tolerance in red algae. more...

Wound healing remains as a dynamic process and the type of dressing material significantly affects the efficacy of healing. The identification of ideal dressings to use for a particular wound type is an important requisite facilitating the entire process of healing. Chronic, high exudate wounds are dynamic in presentation and remain as a major health care burden. Researchers have sort to design and optimize biodegradable wound dressings that focuses to optimize moisture retentiveness, as superior character in the healing process. In addition, dressings have been designed to visualize the wound bed by improving the optical property, target and kill infection-causing bacteria, with the incorporation of antimicrobial agents, nanomaterials and numerous other measures. For the practitioners, choosing the optimal dressing decreases time to healing, provides cost-effective care and improves patient quality of life. The current mini review highlights the ideal characters of wound dressing materials and presents insights on the superior characters of carrageenan bio composites for prospective advancements in research in the area of wound care and management. more...

Epiphytes and endophytes of the brown alga Punctaria plantaginea from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan have been studied. A total of 57 species of fouling macroalgae from the phyla Rhodophyta, Ochrophyta, Chlorophyta, and Cyanobacteria have been identified. Five species of epiphytes were not reported for the flora of Peter the Great Bay previously and four species are new records for the flora of the Far Eastern seas of Russia. The fouling species are dominated by red algae (35%); the leading species were dominated by brown algae, which account for 50% of all the species found. Facultative holoepiphytes prevail in the list. The seasonal dynamics of the species composition of epiphyton on P. plantaginea is shown for a period from February to November. The abundance of fouling algae increases from October to July. The changes in species of the fouling communities on P. plantaginea are assumed to be caused by seasonal variations in light and temperature conditions. more...

The taxonomic information about macroalgal species along the Atlantic coast of Morocco is sparse and, in most cases, related to historical records. The aim of the present study is to catalogue the subtidal and intertidal red seaweeds inhabiting three coastal areas nearby Essaouira city, extended between 31° 52′ N−9° 75′ W North and 31° 49′ N −9° 76′ W South. It is the first revised and updated checklist of Rhodophyceae for almost 18 years on the Atlantic Moroccan coastline. A total of 196 taxa belonging to 104 genera was recorded, with an increase of 22% in species compared to previous studies. Additionally, the new benthic macroalgal species collected in the different seasons of the year are shown as well as a comparative analysis of the Ecological State Groups (ESG) of the new records with their Recovery Index (RI) among the three sampled coastal areas. more...

This paper examines the composition of epibiotic algae of four bivalve species, namely, Swift’s scallop, Farrer’s scallop, the Yesso scallop, and the Pacific oyster in the coastal regions of Southern Primorye. Epibiotic flora of the Yesso scallop from 14 areas is composed of 83 species (45 red, 16 brown, and 22 green). The flora of Farrer’s scallop from two areas includes 16 species (13 red, 1 brown, and 2 green). Only nine species of red algae are found on valves of Swift’s scallop from one area. Epibiotic flora of the Pacific oyster from three areas comprises 32 species (20 red, 10 brown, and 2 green). Rhodophyta species are dominant based on the number of species in epibioses of all mollusks in most of the study areas. The high species richness of epibiotic flora of the Yesso scallop is recorded from the mixed colonies of Pos’et Bay (44 species) and the bottom culture of Stark Strait (37). Providing favorable conditions, that is, active hydrodynamics, low water pollution level, and an insignificant deposition of mud, 21 to 25 species of algae occur in natural aggregations of the Yesso scallop. Under unfavorable conditions, the number of species does not exceed 6–12 species. Wild colonies of the two other scallop species are characterized by an even greater Rodophyta dominance based on the number of species. Chlorophyta species (Codium spp.) dominates by biomass in natural epibioses of the Yesso scallop and Farrer’s scallop in clean areas of Peter the Great Bay. Epibiotic flora of the Pacific oyster features the dominance of Phaeophyceae based on the number of species and biomass in the cultivated and biomass in natural colonies. more...

Polysaccharide films prepared using water extraction of red algae represent an important group of environmentally-friendly materials suitable for industrial applications in food processing, medicine or electrical engineering. In this study, we prepared polysaccharide films from Furcellaria lumbricalis (FL) and Gigartina skottsbergii (GS) seaweed extracts and investigated their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Following contents of individual isolated fractions were observed by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR): ultrasonic water extraction of GS (GSUW) consisted of (1–3)-α-glycan 6-sulfate; ultrasonic carbonate-peroxide extraction (GSUCP) consisted of the same glycan and extra carrageenan hybrids µ-D6S and ν-D2S,6S observed for the first time in this study; extractions of FL and GS in boiling water under reflux (FLW, GSW) contained α-, θ-, λ-, µ-, ν-, and ζ-carrageenans and (1–3)-α-glycan partially sulphated at C6 or the most complex mixture of α-, β-, κ-, ι-, θ-, ζ-carrageenans, and (1–3)-α-glycan partially sulfated at C6, respectively. Spatially-resolved surface morphology and mechanical properties were evaluated by the atomic force microscopy and PeakForce quantitative nanomechanical mapping and correlated to the other investigated films properties. According to X-ray diffraction analysis, we observed no cellulose content or confirm the crystalline form of carrageenans in none of the studied polysaccharide films. more...

Currently, the food additive industry has interest in replacing artificial dyes with natural pigments, trying to maintain consumer interest and increase their awareness towards healthy diets. Phycobiliproteins are light-harvesting and water-soluble proteins extracted from cyanobacteria and red algae that can be employed as natural additives. In the present work, a C-phycocyanin extract from the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis was tested as blue colorant in beverages to demonstrate that samples containing the protein extract have a color similar to marketed beverages containing synthetic dyes. Using spectroscopy and colorimetry, the extract was characterized and gave evidence of having good properties and good stability in the pH range between 3.0 and 9.0. The staining factors, representing the amount of blue protein needed to reproduce the color of bluish commercial samples, ranged between 15.6 and 111.7 mg·L−1, being sufficiently low in all samples. Additionally, color stability during a short period of cold storage was studied: it demonstrated that isotonic and tonic beverages remained stable throughout the 11-days analysis period with no significant changes. These results prove that the C-phycocyanin extract has potential applications in food as natural colorant, being an alternative option to synthetic coloring molecules. more...

Beach-cast marine algae are a potential biomass for several biofunctional products and occur in large volumes in some coastal regions due to natural current processes or drifting algae like pelagic Sargassum. Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of methanolic and aqueous extracts from fifteen beach-cast marine algae from the Brazilian Coast were evaluated. In general, the highest antioxidant activities were found in extracts from brown macroalgae followed by the extracts of red algae, and the lowest activities were detected in the green beach-cast algae. The concentrations of phenolic compounds and carbohydrates exhibited a positive correlation with the antioxidant activities of the tested extracts. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few worldwide studies concerning beach-cast seaweeds and antioxidant activity and related antioxidant metabolites. This study suggests that these algae are potential sources for obtaining extracts with antioxidant properties, rich in phenolic compounds and sulfated carbohydrates. Beach-cast macroalgae are unused biomass and the beneficial utilization of this biomass for prospection of natural products and functional foods is suggested. more...

There are several types of macro algae including brown, green and red algae, which have bioactive compound as anti-microbial agents. Besides that, there are endophytes bacteria that can prevent the growth of disease bacteria, especially bacteria that often attack cultivated species such as Vibrio sp. and Streptococcus sp. In red Algae, the bioactive compounds produced by endophytes bacteria has many benefits including anti-cancer, anti-coagulant, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Several studies have shown that the use of endophytes bacteria found in red algae can reduce and/or prevent the attack of bacteria on fish and other aquatic organisms. The species from genus Graciliaria has as majority found as a source of endophytes and its bioactive compounds. It can against pathogen bacteria could inhibited effectively Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli but not enough power against Enterobacter aerogenes. The inhibition zone range 3.1 ± 0.33 mm - 16.33 ± 0.58 mm. more...

A new species of Kumanoa, K. chaugulei sp. nov., is described from Idamalayar, a major tributary of Periyar River flowing through the state of Kerala, India, based on morphological and molecular ev... more...

Multicellularity has evolved numerous times across the tree of life. One of the most fundamental distinctions among multicellular organisms is their developmental mode: whether they stay together during growth and develop clonally, or form a group through the aggregation of free-living cells. The five eukaryotic lineages to independently evolve complex multicellularity (animals, plants, red algae, brown algae, and fungi) all develop clonally. This fact has largely been explained through social evolutionary theory's lens of cooperation and conflict, where cheating within non-clonal groups has the potential to undermine multicellular adaptation. Multicellular organisms that form groups via aggregation could mitigate the costs of cheating by evolving kin recognition systems that prevent the formation of chimeric groups. However, recent work suggests that selection for the ability to aggregate quickly may constrain the evolution of highly specific kin recognition, sowing the seeds for persistent evolutionary conflict. Importantly, other features of aggregative multicellular life cycles may independently act to constrain the evolution of complex multicellularity. All known aggregative multicellular organisms are facultatively multicellular (as opposed to obligately multicellular), allowing unicellular-level adaptation to environmental selection. Because they primarily exist in a unicellular state, it may be difficult for aggregative multicellular organisms to evolve multicellular traits that carry pleiotropic cell-level fitness costs. Thus, even in the absence of social conflict, aggregative multicellular organisms may have limited potential for the evolution of complex multicellularity. more...

Rumput laut merupakan salah satu komoditas perikanan yang potensial untuk dibudidayakan. Salah satu rumput laut yang memiliki nilai ekonomis tinggi adalah Eucheuma cottoniiyang merupakanhasil kultur jaringanspesies alga merah penghasil karagenan dan memiliki banyak peranan penting bagi manusia..Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan pupuk Cair, NPK, Urea dan TSP dengan doses 100 gram terhadap laju pertumbuhan rumput lautEucheuma cottonii. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Maret- April 2019 dibalai laut Lombok Sekotong Kabupaten Lombok Barat.Metode yang di gunakan adalah RAL (Rancangan Acak Lengkap) dengan 4 perlakuan dan 3 kali ulangan. Media pemeliharaan menggunakan air laut yang ditambahkan pupuk dengan dosis 100 gram, yaitu : P1 (Pupuk Cair), P2 (Pupuk NPK), P3 (Pupuk Urea) P4 (Pupuk TSP). Data yang diamati berupa Berat mutlak, Panjang mutlak, Pertumbuhan harian, Berat relatif, Panjang relatif dan kualitas air yang digunakan sebagai media pemeliharaan. Analisis data menggunakan ANOVA.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penambahan Pupuk Cair, NPK, Urea dan TSP dengan doses 100 gram memberikan pengaruh berbeda sangat nyata terhadap pertumbuhan dan kelangsungan Hidup Rumput laut Eucheuma cottonii. Laju pertumbuhan tertinggi pada Pupuk Urea sedangkan pertumbuhan terendah pada Pupuk TSP. more...

The paper presents the assessment of inhibition effectiveness of biomolecules extracted from red seaweed against biocorrosion in the petroleum industry. The first objective of this study was to obtain extracts (A, B and C, prepared respectively from red algae species: Corallina ellongata, Gymnogongrus crenulatus and Pterocladia capillacea) by ethanol extraction method. The infrared spectra of the three extracts confirmed the presence of amine derivatives molecules known by their anti-corrosion inhibiting powers. The second objective was based on the identification of physico-chemical characteristics of the extracts and thus revealing their inhibitory and / or bactericidal power in bacterial corrosion of carbon steel in injection water contaminated with sulfato-reducing bacteria. Biological test of all extracts gave a concentration upto 10 germs/mL in contaminated water by sulfato-reducing bacteria during 28 days of incubation at 37�C. Evolution in time of the open-circuit potential showed a longer incubation time for electrolyte with extracts, whereas the stabilization time was shorter. Current corrosion density, polarization resistance, charge transfer resistance and double layer capacity were determined by using linear polarizarion resistance technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The corrosion protection efficiency of extract obtained from Gymnogongrus crenulatus (extract B) reached a maximum protective capacity of 99.69% at 5 ppm in the injection water. more...

Phycobilisomes (PBSs) are extremely large chromophore–protein complexes on the stromal side of the thylakoid membrane in cyanobacteria and red algae. The main function of PBSs is light harvesting, and they serve as antennas and transfer the absorbed energy to the reaction centers of two photosynthetic systems (photosystems I and II). PBSs are composed of phycobiliproteins and linker proteins. How phycobiliproteins and linkers are organized in PBSs and how light energy is efficiently harvested and transferred in PBSs are the fundamental questions in the study of photosynthesis. In this review, the structures of the red algae Griffithsia pacifica and Porphyridium purpureum are discussed in detail, along with the functions of linker proteins in phycobiliprotein assembly and in fine-tuning the energy state of chromophores. more...

Red algae cellulose is a promising feedstock for value-added industrial products because it has a faster growth rate, thinner fiber structure, and is easier to extract fiber fromthan wood. To evaluate red algae cellulose as a feed material for its potential applications, CNFs were produced with bleached red algae pulp and then the CNF films were characterized in this study. Both CNFs from the 1-stage and 3-stage bleached red algae pulps were well fibrillated, although the CNF from 1-stage bleached red algae pulp contained short fibrosis and fibrillated fibers due to residual non-cellulosic compounds. The aspect ratio of the CNF from 3-stage bleached red algae pulp was higher than that of the wood-driven CNF. Besides, the film fabricated with the 3-stage bleached red algae CNF produced a tensile index value of 117.1 Nm/g, which was comparable to the strength of the wood CNF film. The 3-stage bleached algae CNF film had higher elongation and water resistance than the wood CNF film. Thus, utilization of red algae as a raw material for CNF production can widen the choice of feedstocks for potential industrial applications. more...

Phycoerythrobilin (PEB) is a special pigment in red algae and cyanobacteria that plays an important role in capturing light energy. As a natural non-toxic pigment with antioxidant properties, PEB is widely used in food and cosmetics industries. At present, the presence of other pigments in red algae and cyanobacteria, such as chlorophyll and phycocyanobilin, makes the preparation of PEB complicated and costly. In this study, the PEB synthesizing enzyme genes of hox1 from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 and pebS from Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 were co-expressed in Escherichia coli to produce recombinant PEB. In addition, single-factor and response surface methods were used to enhance the yield of recombinant PEB. Under the conditions of lactose concentration at 4 mmol L−1, induction temperature at 27 °C, OD600 nm of 0.9, and induction time at 14 h, the concentration of PEB reached 20.37 mg L−1. In addition, a high-purity (purity > 70%) PEB was obtained through chloroform extraction, and the purified product was verified in UV spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. more...

Small red algal morphologically variable blades have been extensively collected from Hawaiian reefs, but for many specimens their taxonomy remains poorly understood. In surveys of the Papah��naumoku��kea Marine National Monument (PMNM) and Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), we discovered two taxa of undescribed small (< 5 cm) red blades that matched the genera Psaromenia and Meredithia, based on morphology and molecular analyses. Neither genus has been previously recorded in the Hawaiian Islands, and neither group of specimens matched currently described species in these two genera. Accordingly, these specimens are described here as new species within the family Kallymeniaceae. Psaromenia laulamaula sp. nov., exclusively found at mesophotic depths (83���94 m) in PMNM, is easily distinguished from other members of the genus by its comparatively large, procarpic carpogonial branch system and solitary obovate pink-to-magenta blades. Conversely, Meredithia hawaiiensis sp. nov., occurring in both shallow (0���17 m) and mesophotic depths (55 m), has high morphological plasticity, with characters that overlap with other Meredithia species, and can only be distinguished based on DNA sequences. This study provides additional evidence of the extent of diversity in the Kallymeniaceae that is poorly characterized from mesophotic depths and provides further evidence that members of the macroalgal flora contain overlooked biodiversity. more...

International audience; The coralline algal genus Corallinapetra is currently monospecific, and was established on the species Corallinapetra novaezelandiae, known from a single collection from north-eastern New Zealand. On the basis of multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, Corallinapetra has been resolved apart from all currently recognized families and orders within the Corallinophycidae. We analysed DNA sequence data from the holotype of Lithothamnion gabrieli, which has been considered a heterotypic synonym of L. muelleri, and an unidentified sample collected from Stewart Island in New Zealand, using psbA, rbcL, and COI-5P genes. We also observed detailed morphological characters with light and scanning electron microscopy. Our phylogenetic analyses showed that L. gabrieli and the sample from New Zealand belonged to the same clade as Corallinapetra, distinct from other families and orders in the Corallinophycidae. Members of this clade are distinguishable from other families and orders in the Corallinophycidae by possessing sporangia that are surrounded by remnant sterile filaments that are weakly calcified in mature multiporate sporangial conceptacles that produce zonately divided tetrasporangia. Therefore, we propose that Corallinapetra be placed in its own family, Corallinapetraceae and order, Corallinapetrales, and that L. gabrieli should be assigned to Corallinapetra, as C. gabrielii, to reflect their phylogenetic relationships. We also obtained a partial rbcL sequence data from the lectotype of L. muelleri, the generitype of Lithothamnion. Comparison of the L. muelleri type sequence with L. gabrieli unambiguously demonstrated that these two species are not conspecific, and confirm the placement of L. muelleri within the Hapalidiales. more...

Macroalgae are the primary source of non-animal sulphated polysaccharides (SPs) in the marine environment with fucoidans derived from brown algae (Phaeophyta) and carrageenans from red algae (Rhodophyta). Much research has been carried out on SP effects on Asian shrimp species (genera Penaeus and Metapenaeus) but their effect on commercially important bivalve mollusc species is limited and in Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas is unknown. Knowledge of their impact on bivalve pathogens and Palaemon shrimp is unknown. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyta), Mastocarpus stellatus (Rhodophyta) and algal derivatives (fucoidan and κ-carrageenan) on C. gigas performance, and on ostreid herpesvirus-1 microvar (OsHV-1 μVar) and bacteria Vibrio spp. development. Both pathogens have been associated with significant oyster mortalities and economic losses globally. The effects of sulphated galactan from Gracilaria fisheri (Rhodophyta) on European common prawn Palaemon serratus, an important fishery species, was also assessed. Findings indicate a rapid and prolonged increase in total blood cell count, lysozyme (enzyme that destroys pathogens), and a difference in the ratio of blood cell types in treated individuals compared to their control counterparts. A significantly lower OsHV-1 μVar prevalence was observed in treated oysters and κ-carrageenan was found to suppress viral replication (loads), while OsHV-1 μVar was not detected in the fucoidan treated oysters from Day 8 of the 26-day trial. No antibacterial effect was observed however, the oysters did not succumb to vibriosis. These findings contribute further knowledge to macroalgae sulphated polysaccharide biotherapeutic properties, their twofold effect on animal health and viral suppression. more...

Water quality standards for cobalt (Co) have yet to be developed for the European Union or the United States. The primary objective of the present study was to produce a data set comprising marine Co toxicity data that could be used by both the European Union and the United States to determine a predicted-no-effect concentration and ambient water quality criteria, respectively. Ten marine species, ranging from algae to fish, were subjected to chronic Co toxicity tests that were designed to meet international water quality testing standards. Chronic 10% effect concentration values ranged from a low of 1.23 µg dissolved Co/L for red algae (Champia parvula) to a high of 31 800 µg dissolved Co/L for sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus). The species sensitivity ranking for chronic marine Co exposure was as follows (from most to least sensitive): C. parvula > Neanthes arenaceodentata (polychaete) > Americamysis bahia (mysid shrimp) > Skeletonema costatum (marine diatom) > Dendraster excentricus (sand dollar) > Mytilus galloprovincialis (mussel) > Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (purple sea urchin) > Crassostrea gigas (oyster) > Dunaliella tertiolecta (marine flagellate) > C. variegatus. Chronic test results indicated that invertebrate and plant species were substantially more sensitive to Co exposure than fish. The chronic toxicity data were used to calculate a species sensitivity distribution, from which a hazardous concentration 5th percentile of 7.09 µg dissolved Co/L (95% CI 0.025-47.3 µg Co/L) was derived. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1405-1418. © 2021 SETAC. more...

The present study aimed to characterize in vitro antioxidant properties of red algae (Gracilaria birdiae) powder and to investigate its potential protective and antioxidant effects in male rats, with and without co-exposure to a ternary mixture of agrochemicals. The focus was on reproductive and DNA damage parameters, both known as vulnerable targets for oxidative stress induced by this class of toxicants. It is important to emphasize that the dehydrated powder of G. birdiae used in the present study is already commercialized for food purposes. In vitro tests revealed that G. birdiae dehydrated powder preserves important antioxidant features of the algae, demonstrating potential for use as food supplements. On the other hand, in vivo tests showed that dietary supplementation with 5% of the homogenate of dehydrated G. birdiae, per se, impaired spermatogenesis due to increased cell damage and consequent cell death in the seminiferous epithelium, without interfering with antioxidant enzymes and androgenic status of the animals. In addition, no beneficial or protective effect of G. birdiae homogenate was observed in animals co-exposed to the agrochemical mixture. Contrary to expectation, in the experimental conditions presented here, powder of G. birdiae was able to induce reproductive toxicity and provoke DNA damage. The data obtained call attention to the importance of discussing the use of food supplementation in the prevention and maintenance of health and the need for better regulating the processing procedures and market of natural supplements. more...

Sementes de alta qualidade são fundamentais no sucesso dos cultivos. O condicionamento de sementes é uma técnica que pode melhorar a qualidade fisiológica, e pode ser feito com várias substâncias, inclusive compostos bioativos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito do biocondicionamento, com extrato de alga vermelha, de sementes de duas cultivares de tomate na qualidade fisiológica. O experimento foi realizado em laboratório. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, comprimento de raiz e parte aérea e comprimento de plântulas por análise de imagens. A cultivar Rio Grande não foi positivamente influenciada pelo biocondicionamento no geral, com efeito inibitório de crescimento de raiz na concentração de 250 ppm, porém com efeito positivo em comprimento de parte aérea. Para a cultivar Cereja, o biocondicionamento ocasionou melhora em germinação em 375 ppm e no comprimento de plântulas os melhores resultados foram obtidos a 125 ppm. more...

Intertidal algae have to cope with diurnally and seasonally fluctuating environmental factors such as salinity, temperature, dehydration, and light. In New Zealand, solar radiation, including the ultraviolet wavelengths, is also an important stress factor for such algae. Therefore, two native (Bostrychia arbuscula W.H.Harvey [Ceramiales], Champia novae-zelandiae (J.D.Hooker & Harvey) Harvey [Rhodymeniales]) and one introduced red algal taxon (Schizymenia spp. J. Agardh [Nemastomatales]) were investigated over 12 months in terms of stress metabolites which contribute to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and salinity tolerance. Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), which act as sunscreens, and organic osmolytes were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Porphyra-334, shinorine, and palythine were the most dominant MAAs yet distributed differently among the species. B. arbuscula showed a correlation between photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)/UVR and slightly higher MAA concentrations in summer. In contrast, C. novae-zelandiae displayed the lowest level of MAAs in summer, and no correlation was found between MAA values and solar radiation. In Schizymenia spp., the highest MAA amounts were found in summer, and for most months, a correlation with PAR/UV radiation was visible. While digeneaside and sorbitol were the dominant organic osmolytes in B. arbuscula, floridoside occurred in C. novae-zelandiae and Schizymenia spp. Only B. arbuscula exhibited higher organic osmolyte concentrations in summer. In contrast, floridoside contents in C. novae-zelandiae and Schizymenia spp. were low and highly variable over the course of the seasons. Our data indicate that both native red algal species are well acclimated to the intertidal zone. For the introduced Schizymenia spp., a more narrow salinity tolerance can be assumed, while the high MAA values may explain its establishment in New Zealand. more...

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for introduced marine species, including seaweeds. Among red algae, Grateloupia, with no less than eight introduced species, occupies a prominent position. Here, ... more...

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), a precursor for ethylene, stimulates the switch from a vegetative to a sexual reproductive phase in the marine red alga Pyropia species. This study explored the effects of ethylene biosynthesis inhibitors on the sexual reproduction of gametophytes of the red alga Pyropia yezoensis to gain a functional understanding of the role of ACC as a plant hormone in red algae. Here we show that two inhibitors of ACC synthesis in higher plants, 2-aminoethoxyvinyl glycine (AVG) and aminooxyacetic acid (AOA), had no effect on the growth and gametogenesis of P. yezoensis. In contrast, exogenous application of α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), a structural analog of ACC that blocks the conversion of ACC to ethylene in higher plants, induced the formation of spermatangia and carpospores in a similar manner as ACC, without endogenous ACC accumulation. The treatment of AIB failed to inhibit ethylene production in the gametophytes. The present results suggest that AIB mimics the effect of ACC to induce the sexual reproduction and support our previous study that ACC has a role in the regulation of the sexual reproduction independent from ethylene. more...

Background and purpose: Marine algae are potential renewable and sustainable sources of bioactive natural products which can be utilized in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. Experimental approach: Different extracts (methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate) of red algae, Laurencia snyderiae , was evaluated for their antioxidant potential, with various antioxidant assessment assays, cytotoxic properties (using MTT colorimetric assay), and phytochemical constituents (total phenolic and flavonoid contents). The GC-MS analyses of the algal methanolic extract and its apoptotic effects on the human colon carcinoma cell line (HT29) were also investigated. Findings/Results: The total phenolic content in the methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts of L. snyderiae was 3.6 ± 0.12, 3.2 ± 0.41, and 3.3 ± 0.35 μg/mg of gallic acid, respectively. Among different algae extracts, chloroform extract showed significantly chelating ability (IC 50 = 0.027 mg/mL) and reducing power activity (IC 50 = 0.082 mg/mL), while the highest DPPH scavenging activity (IC 50 = 0.058 mg/mL) exhibited in the methanol extract compared to the other extracts. The methanolic extract was found to have a higher cytotoxicity effect on colon carcinoma cells with IC 50 70.2 µg/mL. The viability of the cancer cells was increased with the decrease in the concentration in different extracts. GC-MS analysis of the algal methanolic extract revealed the presence of active antitumor constituents and apoptosis-based cytotoxicity against colon cancer cells through the DNA damage was also confirmed. Conclusion and implications: Based on these results, the red algae L. snyderiae possesses potent bioactive constituents and can use as additional resources as a natural antioxidant and antitumor agent in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical area. more...

Kappahycus alvarezii is a red alga contained large amount of bioactive material, such as carrageenan. Carrageenan is useful as a raw material for several industries and can be degraded by marine bacteria through breaking the linkages in polysaccharide carrageenan into oligosaccharide carrageenan. The aim of this study is identification of degrading carrageenan in K. alvarezii symbiotic bacteria. The results showed there was 14 isolate bacteria, and all of the isolates have clear zone on congo red staining activity. The isolate bacteria were 7 genera as K. alvarezii symbiotic bacteria, such as Labrenzia sp., Alteromonas sp., Vibrio sp., Celeribacter sp., Pseudoalteromonas sp., Phaeobacter sp. and Cobetia sp. Labrenzia sp., Alteromonas sp., Vibrio sp., Pseudoalteromonas sp., Phaeobacter sp. were recognized to have strong interactions with carrageenan in red algae, while the other Celeribacter sp. and Cobetia sp. have strong interactions with alginate in brown algae. more...

Marine algal seaweeds are the underutilized bioresource i.e. food source, raw materials from industries, therapeutic application also. Seaweeds are the natural polysaccharides used in pharmaceutical preparation as tablets, as stabilizers, cosmetics and bioplastics packing industries. Raw materials such as sago, corn and food crops are used to produce green plastics these have low mechanical properties. Scientists have published alternative plastics by using red algae to produce biofuels. Eucheuma cottonii is the red algal crops use to produce plastics by filtration. Art carpus altilis and Calotropis gigantea are the red algae used to replace glycerol. Plastics are non-biodegradable and are toxin for human, animal and environment on the other hand bioplastics are degradable similar applications with plastics. Seaweeds are more efficient to produce bioplastics rather than plants, animals and other sources due to its high biomass from seaweeds are still on research. It less brittle, durable and is more resistant to microwave. more...

The present review considers the physicochemical and biological properties of polysaccharides (PSs) obtained from marine algae (alginates and fucoidans from brown algae; carrageenans from red algae; and ulvans from green algae). These PSs are used in the latest technologies of regenerative medicine (tissue engineering, modulation of drug delivery system, and design of wound dressing materials). Special attention is paid to the ability of PS to form hydrogels, as hydrogel dressings meet the basic requirements for a perfect wound dressing. This review discusses the current trends in the development of a new generation of PS-based materials for creation of drug delivery systems and various tissue-engineering scaffolds; this approach allows one to create human-specific tissues and to develop target-oriented and personalized regenerative medicine products. more...

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Screen the polyphenol compound from red seaweed Gracilaria edulis and Hypnea valentiae. • Purification the polyphenol compound. • Detect the antimicrobial activity of polyphenol compound. • Evaluate the antioxidant activity of polyphenol compound. • Analyze the FT-IR and GC MS of polyphenol compound., In recent years, seaweeds drew the intense attention of the researchers owing their biological properties with their multi assorted applications to the humans. Red seaweeds are well-known for their biological activities due to enrichment of phenolic residues. The present investigation deals with the portrayal of biological behavior of red algae Gracilaria edulis and Hypnea valentiae. Polyphenol was extracted using methanol in a soxhlet extractor for 6 h. The crude polyphenol compound was partially purified in DEAE cellulose52 column. The total phenolic content present in the polyphenol compound was G. edulis (75.49 ± 0.12 %) and H. valentiae (70.08 ± 0.34 %). The phytochemicals present in the two seaweeds were flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolics, alkaloids and steroids. The antimicrobial activity of polyphenol compounds was assessed against seven human pathogens, five plant pathogens and three fungal pathogens. The free radical scavenging activity of polyphenol compound was assayed such as total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl-scavenging assay, superoxide anion radical scavenging and nitric oxide. Polyphenol compound was analyzed by FT-IR and GC–MS. more...

Three species of red algae belonging to the class Rhodophyceae viz. Amphiroa fragilissima, Centroceras clavulatum and Gracilaria canaliculata were collected from seven localities in the southeast coast of India. The collected red algae were analysed for elemental composition (Al, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Fb, Zn) using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP - AES) from May 2018 to April 2019 at three months interval. The seasonal variation in the elemental composition of the three red algae species showed that most of the minerals were found to accumulate during the summer season followed by pre-monsoon season. This could perhaps be due to the ambient concentration of these minerals were high during these seasons; thereby facilitating their uptake by seaweeds. The accumulation factor of certain irons by the algae were also discussed in this paper. more...

Light, or visible radiation, serves as a source of energy for photosynthesis of plants and most algae. In addition, light and ultraviolet radiation (UV-A and UV-B) act as a biological signal, triggering several cellular processes that are mediated by photoreceptors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and biochemical responses of Osmundea pinnatifida driven by different radiations through putative photoreceptors. For this, O. pinnatifida was grown under different radiation treatments composed by high intensity of light emitted by a low pressure sodium lamp (SOX), aiming to saturate photosynthesis, which was supplemented by low intensities of visible (red, green and blue) and ultraviolet radiation (UV-A and UV-B), in order to activate photoreceptors. Growth rates, photosynthesis, antioxidant activity, polyphenols, soluble proteins, phycobiliproteins, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and carotenoids were evaluated during the experiment. Complementary UV-A radiation positively influenced growth rates after 15 days of experiment, although the presence of a peak of blue light in this treatment can also have contributed. UV-B radiation increased the concentration of zeaxanthin and chlorophyll a. The blue light caused the accumulation of chlorophyll a, violaxanthin, phycoerythrin and polyphenols on different days of the experiment. Phycoerythrin also increased under green and red light conditions. Our results showed that some compounds can be modulated by different radiation, and the involvement of photoreceptors is suggested. In red algae, photoreceptors sensitive to red, green and blue light have been identified, however little is known about UV photoreceptors. The presence of photoreceptors sensitive to UV radiation in O. pinnatifida is discussed. more...

Comanthera mucugensis (Eriocaulaceae), also known as “sempre-viva de Mucuge”, is endemic to the Chapada Diamantina, Brazil. It is greatly sought after for ornamental purposes and is currently endangered due to over collection, fire and cattle raising activities. Efforts are currently being made to produce seedlings and promote the ex situ conservation of C. mucugensis through plant tissue culture. The present study evaluated the effects of red macroalgae extracts as biostimulant supplements in the culture media. The germination and cultivation of C. mucugensis plants in half-strength Murashige & Skoog (MS½) supplemented with different concentrations of extracts derived from Argardhiella subulata (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 mg/mL) for 370 days were investigated. To induce bud formation, microplants were transferred to three different types of media: MS½, MS½ + 1 mg/mL of a Hpynea pseudomusciformis extract, and MS½ + 1 mg/mL Gracilaria sp. extract. The in vitro growth of C. mucugensis in high concentrations of A. subulata extracts diminished seed germination, seedling survival, and plant growth, although it promoted bud formation. The Gracilaria sp. extract doubled bud production in microplants, while H. pseudomusciformis extracts positively affected the growth of the aerial part and roots of the buds. The effects of these three macroalgae as plant biostimulants in the culture media can be considered an alternate method for the in vitro propagation and cultivation of C. mucugensis. This study represents the first demonstration of the effects of red algae as biostimulants in vitro C. mucugensis. more...

A new species of pipefish, Stigmatopora harastii sp. nov., is described based on the male holotype and two female paratypes, 136.3–145.5 mm SL, collected from red algae (sp.?) at 12 meters depth in Botany Bay, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The new taxon shares morphological synapomorphies with the previously described members of Stigmatopora , including principle body ridges, fin placement, slender tail, and absence of a caudal fin. It is morphologically and meristically similar to Stigmatopora nigra , including snout length and shape, dorsal-fin origin on 6th–7th trunk ring, and lateral trunk ridge terminating on the first tail ring. Stigmatopora harastii sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners, however, by characters of the head and first trunk ring, distinct sexual dimorphic markings on sides and venter of anterior trunk rings, and red background coloration in life. The new taxon can be further differentiated by genetic divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene (uncorrected p-distances of 9.8%, 10.1%, 10.7%, and 14.6%, from S. argus , S. macropterygia , S. narinosa , and S. nigra , respectively). The type locality is characterised by semi-exposed deep-water sandy areas interspersed with boulders, flat reefs, and an absence of seagrass beds, in which S. harastii has been observed living in facultative associations with a finger sponge and red algae at depths of 10–25 meters, compared to the shallow coastal and estuarine habitats preferred by the fucoid algae and seagrass-associating members of Stigmatopora . Stigmatopora harastii sp. nov. represents the fourth species of Stigmatopora recorded in temperate southern Australia. more...

We report a facile approach for the fabrication of a marine antifouling coating using the red algae-derived polysaccharide, carrageenan (CAR). Because CAR is hydrophilic and negatively charged, we hypothesized that it would form strong hydration layers upon adsorption onto solid surfaces, thereby exhibiting marine antifouling properties. Although various types of CAR can be used for marine antifouling, a universally applicable coating method has not yet been developed; thus, a systematic study on the marine antifouling property of CAR coating is lacking. Here, we fabricated a versatile CAR coating via Zr more...

The review presents the characteristics of modern biocompatible and biodegradable wound dressings on the basis of seaweed polysaccharides (carrageenans of red algae, fucoidans and alginates of brown algae, ulvans of green algae) and notes the key physicochemical and biological properties that are important for constructing wounds dressings. There are information on various types of wound dressings and results of experimental and clinical tests of dressings in the treatment of wounds of various origins. Particular attention is paid to hydrogel dressings, since hydrogels meet the basic requirements for an ideal wound dressing, and many marine polysaccharides are able to form hydrogels. more...