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Intertidal marine brown alga Turbinaria conoides (J.Agardh) Kutzing (family Sargassaceae) is considered as one of the largely abundant species, available in the coastal zones of the Indian subcontinent. Bioactivity-guided chromatographic fractionation of the organic extract of T. conoides resulted in three previously undescribed macrocyclic lactone homologues, named as conoidecyclics A-C. Conoidecyclic A displayed greater attenuation potential against cyclooxygenase-2 (IC50 1.75 mM) and 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 4.24 mM) in comparison with other analogues. Conoidecyclic A exhibited higher attenuation potential against 5-lipoxygenase than that displayed by an anti-inflammatory agent, ibuprofen (IC50 4.51 mM). The higher selectivity index of conoidecyclic A (1.79) recognized its selective attenuation potential against the inducible cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme. Inhibition potential of conoidecyclic A against angiotensin converting enzyme-I (IC50 1.23 mM) and protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (IC50 1.39 mM) were non-competitive, as deduced by kinetic studies. In-silico molecular modeling study of conoidecyclic A with the allosteric sites of the targeted enzymes exhibited least binding energy of −14.51 to −11.27 kcal mol−1 compared to those exhibited by other studied macrolide homologues. Reaction kinetic studies of conoidecyclic A coupled with lesser apparent Vmax inferred that it could efficiently bind with the allosteric site of targeted enzymes in a non-competitive manner to diminish the reaction velocity resulting in enzyme inhibition. Drug-likeness and predictive pharmacokinetic parameters of conoidecyclic A exhibited an acceptable oral bioavailability. These reports inferred that conoidecyclic A encompassing pentacosa macrocyclic moiety could be a promising therapeutic lead to inhibit the enzymes related to the development and progression of pathological conditions leading to inflammation, hypertension and type-2 diabetes.

Four tropical seaweeds, Gracilaria manilaensis Yamamoto & Trono, Ulva reticulata Forsskål, Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) L.M.Liao and Turbinaria conoides (J.Agardh) Kützing, collected from various habitats throughout Malaysia, were subjected to temperatures of 40, 35, 30, 25 and 20 ◦C in the laboratory. An exposure range of 21–38 ◦C is reported for Malaysian waters. The effect of the temperature exposures on the halocarbon emissions of the seaweeds were determined 4 and 28 h after treatment. The emission rates for a suite of six halocarbons commonly emitted by seaweeds, bromoform (CHBr3), dibromomethane (CH2Br2), diiodomethane (CH2I2), iodomethane (CH3I), dibromochloromethane (CHBr2Cl) and dichlorobromomethane (CHBrCl2), were measured using a cryogenic purge-and-trap sample preparation system coupled to a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The emission rate of CHBr3 was the highest of the six halocarbons for all the seaweeds under all the temperatures tested, followed by CH2Br2, and CH2I2. The emission rates were affected by temperature change and exposure duration, but overall responses were unique to each seaweed species. Larger decreases in the emissions of CHBr3, CH2Br2, CH2I2 and CHBr2Cl were found for K. alvarezii and T. conoides after 4 h at 40 ◦C. In both cases there was a >90% (p < 0.05) reduction in the Fv/Fm value suggesting that photosynthetic actitivity was severely compromised. After a 28 h exposure period, strong negative correlations (r = -0.69 to -0.95; p < 0.01) were observed between temperature and the emission of CHBr3, CH2Br2 and CH2I2 for U. reticulata, K. alvarezii and T. conoides. This suggests a potential decrease in the halocarbon emissions from these tropical seaweeds, especially where the temperature increase is a prolonged event. Strong correlations were also seen between seaweed chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment contents and the emission rates for CHBr3, CH2Br2 and CH2I2 (r = 0.48 to 0.96 and -0.49 to -0.96; p < 0.05). These results suggest that the regulation of halocarbon production versus reactive oxygen species production in seaweeds is an area worthy of further exploration.

A new dimeric sesquiterpenoid, conoidol A (1), was isolated from the unripe fruits of Capsicum annuum var. conoides (Mill.) Irish. The structure of the new dimeric sesquiterpenoid was elucidated by chemical and physical evidence.

In the present study, phloroglucinol, a phenolic derivative, was extracted from the brown seaweeds Sargassum wightii, Sargassum tenerrimum and Turbinaria conoides. The secondary metabolite purified by reversed phase-high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), fluorescence spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight/mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) and H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Phloroglucinol from S. tenerrimum exhibited higher total antioxidant (453.3 mg AscAE g(-1)), DPPH-scavenging (71.07 %), H2O2-scavenging (89.7 %) and metal chelating (14.28 %) activities. Anticoagulant activity was maximum in phloroglucinol from T. conoides (APTT 38.2 s, PT 22.7 s and FC 1.92 g dL(-1)). Phloroglucinol from S. wightii showed maximum lymphocyte migration inhibition (0.8 mm). Cytotoxicity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage against MCF-7 cells was high in phloroglucinol from T. conoides (IC50 10.74 mu g mL(-1) and 56.17 %). These findings suggest that phloroglucinol from the selected brown seaweeds could be a rich functional food with appreciable biomedical properties.

The emergence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as the pre-eminent global non-infectious disease has driven the search for new anti-diabetic strategies including utilising traditional food and herbs. In this investigation, we describe the anti-diabetic potential of six selected Malaysian seaweed species against recognised pharmaco- logical targets. Specifically, we measured their ability to inhibit α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) and also their ability to stimulate incretin hormone secretion in vitro.Crudewater extractsofHalimedamacroloba,Padina sulcata, Sargassum binderi and Turbinaria conoides pos- sessed potent inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase and DPP-4. The highest inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase was found in water extracts of the green seaweed species H. macroloba with an IC50 value of 6.388 mg mL �1 . Crude water extracts of the brown seaweeds studied namely P. sulcata, S. binderi and T. conoides, exhibited potent DPP-4 inhibition compared with the green seaweed H. macroloba. The brown seaweed also stimulates secretion of glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) from pGIP neo STC-1 cells in vitro. H. macroloba stimulated GLP-1 secretion but not secretion of GIP.

The emission rates of eight volatile halogenated compounds by three tropical brown seaweed species collected from Cape Rachado, west coast Peninsular Malaysia, under different irradiances have been determined. A purge-and-trap sample preparation system with a gas chromatograph and mass-selective detector was used to measure a suite of halocarbons released by Sargassum binderi Sonder ex J. Agardh, Padina australis Hauck, and Turbinaria conoides (J. Agardh) Kutzing. All species are widely distributed in Peninsular Malaysia, with S. binderi a dominant seaweed species at our survey site. Release of few halocarbons was found to be influenced by irradiance. Correlations were also observed between emission of certain halocarbons with photosynthetic activity, especially bromo-and iodinated compounds (0.6 < r

Four species of brown seaweeds, namely Sargassum baccularia, Sargassum binderi, Sargassum siliquosum and Turbinaria conoides, harvested from Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia were analysed for ash content, alginate yield and alginate properties. Seaweeds calcined at 450°C were found to have low amount of non-combustible residue as these were not contaminated by calcareous animals. Alginate was extracted from these seaweeds by two methods: hot and cold. In the hot method, the storing time was 3 h and the processing temperature was 50°C, whilst in the cold method, the sample was stored overnight at room temperature. Higher yield of alginate was obtained by the hot method compared to the cold method, but alginate extracted by the cold method gave higher molecular weight. In the hot method, 49.9% of alginate was extracted from S. siliquosum, followed by T. conoides (41.4%), S. binderi (38.9%) and S. baccularia (26.7%). Alginate extracted from T. conoides has an average molecular weight, M w, of 8.06 × 105 g mol−1, whereas alginate from S. siliquosum was the lowest in M w (4.81 × 105 g mol−1) when the extraction was done at room temperature. Alginate extracted from S. baccularia was found to be very heat-sensitive. Its M w has dropped more than 83%, from 7.52 × 105 to 1.23 × 105 g mol−1, when the extraction temperature was raised. The effect of heat on the extent of depolymerisation of the alginate molecule of the other three brown seaweed species was less significant, with decrease in molecular weight ranging between 13% and 16%.

This study was conducted in order to select valuable genetic resources of red conic pepper (Capsicum annuum var. conoides Mill.) in Bafra plain situated on Black Sea Region of Turkey during 2003 and 2005. Fifty six red pepper populations were collected from different eco-geographical areas in the research region. All native red pepper genotypes were examined with respect to morphological characteristics. Ranking method was used for selecting superior types. The results of ranking method revealed twenty two superior types. Research results also showed that all populations had 11.2-19.2 cm fruit length, 4.8-7.2 cm fruit width and 4.3-5.8 mm for flesh thickness. Fruit colours of selected types were in red and dark red tones. In the majority of populations harvest time occurred at 105 days. On the other hand, the genotypes exhibited a range of 653.9-1415.5 g for the total fruit weight plants-1, 7.2-13.5 for the fruit number plant-1, 53.0-155.0 mg/100 g for ascorbic acid, 5.2-8.0% for total soluble solids and 8.0-11.9% for total dry weight. At the end of this study, 12 types were selected as being promising for further breeding efforts. © 2009 Asian Network for Scienctific Information.

The ability of the brown seaweed, Turbinaria conoides to absorb rhodamine B (RB) from aqueous solution was investigated in a batch system. The effects of various experimental parameters (e.g., morphology, initial dye concentration, temperature, and pH) were investigated and optimal experimental condition was ascertained. The results revealed that sorption capacity of T. conoides increased with increasing temperature, and decreasing initial dye concentration and pH. Sorption equilibrium studies using Langmuir and Freundlich models demonstrated that RB biosorption fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm. This study suggested that T. conoides can be used as a potential biosorbent for the removal of RB from wastewater.

Pinewood nematode (PWN) trapping by nematophagous fungi, Arthrobotrys conoides, A. dactyloides and A. oligospora and the fungal growth were characterized. The three Arthrobotrys species each was inoculated into the PWN cultured on Botrytis cinera fungal colony on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The effects of temperature, pH, PWN inoculation density and nutrients on the growth of the three Arthrobotrys spp were measured. A. conoides grew fast, 13.9 mm/day while A. dactyloides grew slow, 3 mm/day. PDA medium was the best for the fungal growth at and pH 4.5. The Arthrobotrys spp growth was stimulated by 500 nematodes inoculation but not by 1000 inoculation. A. dactyloides did not grow below pH 4.5 and at high PWN density. A. conoides and A oligospora formed trapping organs with thick constricting hyphal network only when PWN present, while A. dactyloides formed the organ with circular hyphae constitutively. A. conoides formed trapping organs faster than A. oligospora did. The nematode trapping hyphae of the fungi penetrated into PNW inside to form many tiny infection bulbs and to digest the nematode. However, A. dactyloides formed a few trapping organs but no trapping was observed. Infection rate of PWN was 95% by A. conoides, 80% by A. oligospora and 92% by the combination inoculation of A. conoides and A. oligospora. In contrast A. dactyloides increased PWN density without infecton. There was no interaction effect in any combination inoculation of the three Arthrobotrys spp. A. conoides enhanced PWN infection rate by rapid hyphal growth and early trapping, while A. oligospora did it by increasing hyphal density. In conclusion A. conoides is the most effective in both hyphal growth and infection, and thus these characteristics can be utilized as a biological control of PWN.

The tissue culture of phycocolloid yielding seaweeds included preparation of axenic explants, callus induction, subculture of excised callus and regeneration of plantlets from pigmented callus in the laboratory. Treatment of algal material with 0.1–0.5% detergent for 10 min and 1–2% betadine for 1–5 min and 3–5% antibiotic treatment for 48–72 h successively enabled viable axenic explants to be obtained as high as 60% for Gracilariacorticata, Sargassumtenerrimum and Turbinariaconoides and 10% for Hypneamusciformis. Callus induction was more conspicuous in T. conoides than in the other three species investigated. Of the irradiances investigated, 30 μmol photons m−2 s−1 produced calluses in as many as 40% explants in G. corticata and T. conoides and 10% in H. musciformis and S. tenerrimum. The explants cultured at 5 and 70 μmol photons m−2 s−1 did not produce any callus in all the species studied except for H. musciformis in which 10% explants developed callus at 5 μmol photons m−2 s−1. Most of the species investigated showed uniseriate filamentous Type of growths and buds from cut ends and from all over the surface of explants. Nevertheless, T. conoides had three Types of callus developments, namely (1) uniseriate filamentous Type of outgrowths from the centre of the cut end of explant, (2) bubbly Type of callus and (3) club-shaped callus clumps. The subculture of T. conoides callus embedded in 0.4% agar produced two Types of filamentous growth, namely filiform (with elongated cells) and moniliform filaments (with round cells) in the 2 months period after inoculation. Further, friable callus with loose cells was also found associated with excised callus. The moniliform filaments showed prolific growth of micro-colonies resembling to somatic embryo-like growth which, in liquid cultures, differentiated and developed into propagules with deformed shoots and distinct rhizoids. The shoots of these propagules remained stunted with abnormal leaf stalks without forming triangular shaped leaves as the parental plant and rhizoids had prolific growth in the laboratory cultures. The excised callus of G. corticata continued to grow when transferred to liquid cultures and showed differentiation of new shoots within 10 days. The shoots grew to a maximum length of 5–6 cm in the 2 months period in aerated cultures in the laboratory.

The taxonomic studies of seven taxa of Turbinaria , collected from different parts of South India are presented. The taxa include three species [T. conoides (J. Agardh) Kutzing, T. decurrens Bory, and T. ornata (Turner) J.Agardh] and four forms [T. conoides f. laticuspidata W.R.Taylor, T. ornata f. evesiculosa (Barton) W.R.Taylor, T. ornata f. hainanensis W.R.Taylor and T. ornata f. krishnamurthii f. nova Sophiammal & Panikkar]. Out of these seven taxa, T. ornata (Turner) J.Agardh f. hainanensis W.R.Taylor is a new report to India and T. ornata (Turner) J.Agardh f. krishnamurthii is a new addition to Indian marine flora. All the collected taxa were screened for their morphological characters and the identification was based on the general shape, branching pattern, shape, size and arrangement of the laterals (‘leaves’), size of the vesicles and the occurrence and orientation of the spines. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Taxonomische Untersuchungen an Arten der Gattung Turbinaria (Fucales, Phaeophyta) aus Sudindien Sieben Taxa der Gattung Turbinaria aus verschie- denen Regionen Sudindiens wurden taxonomisch untersucht. Es handelt sich um drei Arten [T. conoides (J.Agardh) Kutzing, T. decurrens Bory und T. ornata (Turner) J.Agardh] sowie vier Fornem [T. conoides f. laticuspidata W.R.Taylor, T. ornata f. evesiculosa (Barton) W.R.Taylor, T. ornata f. hainanensis W.R.Taylor und T. ornata f. krishnamurthii f. nova Sophiammal & Panikkar]. Von diesen sieben Taxa ist T. ornata (Turner) J.Agardh f. hainanensis neu fur Indien, und T. ornata (Turner) J.Agardh f. krishnamurthii ist neu fur die marine Flora Indiens. Alle gesammelten Arten wurden auf ihre morphologischen Eigenheiten untersucht. Ihre Bestimmung beruht auf ihrer allgemeinen Form, dem Verzweigungsmuster, der Gestalt, Grose und Anordnung der Seitenarme (“Blatter”), der Grose der Blaschen und dem Auftreten und der Orientierung der Stacheln.

Two new steroids 3,6,17-trihydroxy-stigmasta-4,7,24(28)-triene (1) and 14,15,18,20-diepoxyturbinarin (3), together with a known compound, fucosterol (2), were isolated from the cyclohexane extract of Turbinaria conoides. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The isolated compounds were screened against a panel of microorganisms. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the standard broth dilution method. Compounds 1-3 exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria and inhibited the fungal growth with MIC values ranging from 2 to 16 microg mL(-1). Compound 3 was found to be most potent against Aspergillus niger, with an MIC value of 2.0 microg mL(-1). The isolation of antifungal compounds from T. conoides is reported for the first time. These results suggested that 14,15,18,20-diepoxyturbinarin (3) could be developed as a new lead antifungal agent.

Four new steroidal glycosides, named capsicosides A–D together with proto-degalactotigonin, were isolated from the roots and seeds of Capsicum annuum var. conoides and Capsicum annuum var. fasciculatum. On the basis of detailed chemical and spectroscopic evidence, the structures of capsicosides A–D were shown to be furostanol glycosides corresponding to gitogenin and tigogenin oligoglycosides. Capsicoside A was regarded as the same compound as the previously described capsicoside, whose structure now needs to be revised according to the data presented in this report.

Spore germination of net-producing nematophagous fungi can lead to either immediate formation of the trap or, more usually, the production of a single hypha upon which nets are eventually produced. However, in isolates of Arthrobotrys conoides and A. cladodes, spores on blocks of water agar were observed to germinate and fuse readily with adjacent spores or vegetative hyphae. Where spores of A. conoides had fused with each other, usually only a single hypha grew from them, indicating that this may provide more nutrient for the developing hypha. Alternatively, fusion of spores may merely reflect the tendency of hyphae of these fungi to anastomose.

Summary Lipids, cholesterol and activity of certain key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of steroids, viz., steroid dehydrogenases, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) diaphorase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) have been studied by means of cytochemical methods in different stages of the life-cycle of the gregarine Stylocephalus conoides . All the aforesaid precursors and the enzymes have been detected in the trophozoite of this gregarine indicating the organism's steroidogenic potential.

The induction of traps by the nematode Panagrellus silusiae in four fungal isolates of Dactylaria brochopaga and Arthro-botrys conoides was strongly influenced by several species of bacteria, which increased the yield mostly in light. In darkness with a stagnant atmosphere and a developing mycelium their effects were drastically altered; some bacteria then promoted the appearance of an abundance of megatraps in Dactylaria brochopaga.