Search

Funding This study had the support of Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) through the Strategic Project UID/MAR/04292/2020 to MARE, UIDB/50011/2020 & UIDP/50011/2020 to CICECO, and the University of Aveiro and FCT/MCT for the fnancial support for LAQV-REQUIMTE research Unit (FCT UIDB/50006/2020) through national founds, and, where applicable, co-fnanced by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. This work was also funded by the project “Valorização dos subprodutos do processo biotecnológico de produção de esqualeno e DHA pela microalga Aurantiochytrium sp.” (AlgaValue) (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-017680) supported by COMPETE 2020, and Integrated Programme of SR&TD “SmartBioR” (reference Centro-01–0145-FEDER-000018) cofunded by Centro 2020 program, Portugal2020, European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund. The authors also thank the funding from Project AgroForWealth (CENTRO-01–0145-FEDER-000001), funded by Centro2020, through FEDER and PT2020 and University of Aveiro. Aurantiochytrium sp. is an emerging alternative source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and squalene, playing an important role in the phasing out of traditional fish sources for these compounds. Novel lipid extraction techniques with a focus on sustainability and low environmental footprint are being developed for this organism, but the exploration of other added-value compounds within it is still very limited. In this work, a combination of novel green extraction techniques (high hydrostatic pressure extraction (HPE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)) and traditional techniques (organic solvent Soxhlet extraction and hydrodistillation (HD)) was used to obtain lipophilic extracts of Aurantiochytrium sp., which were then screened for antioxidant (DPPH radical reduction capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assays), lipid oxidation protection, antimicrobial, anti-aging enzyme inhibition (collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase), and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of NO production) activities. The screening revealed promising extracts in nearly all categories of biological activity tested, with only the enzymatic inhibition being low in all extracts. Powerful lipid oxidation protection and anti-inflammatory activity were observed in most SFE samples. Ethanolic HPEs inhibited both lipid oxidation reactions and microbial growth. The HD extract demonstrated high antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiinflammatory activities making, it a major contender for further studies aiming at the valorization of Aurantiochytrium sp. Taken together, this study presents compelling evidence of the bioactive potential of Aurantiochytrium sp. and encourages further exploration of its composition and application. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Aurantiochytrium sp. is an emerging alternative source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and squalene, playing an important role in the phasing out of traditional fish sources for these compounds. Novel lipid extraction techniques with a focus on sustainability and low environmental footprint are being developed for this organism, but the exploration of other added-value compounds within it is still very limited. In this work, a combination of novel green extraction techniques (high hydrostatic pressure extraction (HPE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)) and traditional techniques (organic solvent Soxhlet extraction and hydrodistillation (HD)) was used to obtain lipophilic extracts of Aurantiochytrium sp., which were then screened for antioxidant (DPPH radical reduction capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assays), lipid oxidation protection, antimicrobial, anti-aging enzyme inhibition (collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase), and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of NO production) activities. The screening revealed promising extracts in nearly all categories of biological activity tested, with only the enzymatic inhibition being low in all extracts. Powerful lipid oxidation protection and anti-inflammatory activity were observed in most SFE samples. Ethanolic HPEs inhibited both lipid oxidation reactions and microbial growth. The HD extract demonstrated high antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities making, it a major contender for further studies aiming at the valorization of Aurantiochytrium sp. Taken together, this study presents compelling evidence of the bioactive potential of Aurantiochytrium sp. and encourages further exploration of its composition and application.

This study was supported by UID/MAR/04292/2020 with funding from FCT/MCTES through national funds, and by the grant awarded to Rafael Félix (SFRH/BD/139763/2018). The authors also wish to acknowledge the support of the European Union through the EASME Blue Labs project AMALIA, Algae-to-MArket Lab IdeAs (EASME/EMFF/2016/1.2.1.4/03/SI2.750419), project VALORMAR (Mobilizing R&TD Programs, Portugal 2020), co-funded by COMPETE (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-024517), the Integrated Programme of SR&TD “Smart Valorization of Endogenous Marine Biological Resources Under a Changing Climate” (reference Centro-01-0145-FEDER-000018) and RD&T co-promotion project ORCHESTRA (nº 70155), co-funded by Centro 2020 program, Portugal 2020, European Union, European Regional Development Fund, and SAICTPAC/0019/2015—LISBOA01-0145-FEDER-016405 Oncologia de Precisão: Terapias e Tecnologias Inovadoras (POINT4PAC), through the European Regional Development Fund. The invasive macroalga Grateloupia turuturu is known to contain a diversity of bioactive compounds with different potentialities. Among them are compounds with relevant bioactivities for cosmetics. Considering this, this study aimed to screen bioactivities with cosmeceutical potential, namely, antioxidant, UV absorbance, anti-enzymatic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as photoprotection potential. Extractions with higher concentrations of ethanol resulted in extracts with higher antioxidant activities, while for the anti-enzymatic activity, high inhibition percentages were obtained for elastase and hyaluronidase with almost all extracts. Regarding the antimicrobial activity, all extracts showed to be active against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. Extracts produced with higher percentages of ethanol were more effective against E. coli and with lower percentages against the other two microorganisms. Several concentrations of each extract were found to be safe for fibroblasts, but no photoprotection capacity was observed. However, one of the aqueous extracts was responsible for reducing around 40% of the nitric oxide production on macrophages, showing its anti-inflammatory potential. This work highlights G. turuturu’s potential in the cosmeceutical field, contributing to the further development of natural formulations for skin protection. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

To estimate the quality of coastal waters, European Union Directive 2006/7/EC provides guidelines to assess levels of faecal bacteria, including Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. These microbiological criteria are based on studies that determine the risk of bathers having diseases caused by enteric bacteria, not necessarily measuring the potential danger associated with the presence of nonenteric pathogens. The association between the presence of faecal contaminant indicators and nonenteric pathogenic microorganisms has not been well defined yet. The purpose of this study is to establish a relationship between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and microbiological indicators of faecal contamination. Presence of microbiological contamination in the coastal waters near the sewage treatment plant (STP) of Peniche (Portugal) was confirmed (P. aeruginosa 135.8 Colony Forming Unit/100 mL, Escherichia coli 1100.1 Most Probable Number/100 mL, intestinal enterococci 2685.9 MPN/100 mL) with much lower levels in the areas located south of the STP, along the main water coastal current (beach 1: 0.7 CFU/100 mL, 16.5 MPN/100 mL, 100.5 MPN/100 mL, beach 2: 0.3 CFU/100 mL, 74.0 MPN/100 mL, 145.9 MPN/100 mL, respectively). Analysis of Pearson&rsquo, s correlation revealed a strong positive correlation between E. coli and P. aeruginosa, suggesting E. coli as an indicator of P. aeruginosa presence.

This work was supported by the European Union through EASME Blue Labs project AMALIA—Algae-to-MArket Lab IdeAs (EASME/ EMFF/2016/1.2.1.4/03/SI2.750419). The authors would also like to acknowledge the financial support of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through Strategic Project UID/MAR/ 04292/2019 granted to MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, through MARINE INVADERS Project (PTDC/BIA-CBI/31144/ 2017), co-financed by COMPETE (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031144), and through VALORMAR (Mobilizing R&TD Programs, Portugal 2020) cofunded by COMPETE (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-024517), the Integrated Programme of SR&TD “Smart Valorization of Endogenous Marine Biological Resources Under a Changing Climate” (reference Centro-01- 0145-FEDER-000018), co-funded by Centro 2020 program, Portugal 2020, European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund, and project COSMOS: Biotechnological valorization of the invasive seaweed Asparagopsis armata from the coast of Peniche (MAR2020-P04M03-1445P) funded by PO MAR2020, Portugal2020, and the European Union through FEAMP. Rafael Félix was supported by FCT grant SFRH/BD/139763/2018. The authors would also like to acknowledge Barbara Weber, Ph.D. (Biomin Research Center) for her valuable contributions to the microbiology section Shrimp farming has been severely affected by Vibrio infections in southeastern Asia, with severe economic impacts. Invasive seaweeds are an increasing threat that can be strategically valorized by biotechnology, promoting economic development while contributing to ecologic remediation. Asparagopsis armata and Sargassum muticum are two such species that have been frequently reported as excellent bioactive compounds producers, namely anti-bacterial and antioxidant. Thus, A. armata and S. muticum were extracted in an industry-focused approach, using low amounts of ethanol and short extraction times at room temperature. Yield, in vitro antioxidant capacity by the 2,2-diphenyl−1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, and in vitro antibacterial activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus (microdilution) were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Optimal extracts (one from each seaweed species) were incorporated in feed, and an in vivo trial using the whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei was performed in industrial facilities using the supplemented feed (1.5, 3.5 and 7.5 g extract per kg feed). Feed quality (along an 8-week period under regular storage conditions) and shrimp performance (40-day trial) were studied, as well as post-challenge (infection by virulent Vibrio parahaemolyticus) mortality rate and hepatopancreas condition. The results from the RSM showed that lower extraction times and ethanol volumes maximized extracts' bioactive properties (A. armata – 20 min, 10 mL solvent per gram seaweed; S. muticum – 100 min, 10 mL.g−1). The seaweed extracts did not impact shrimp performance (no statistically significant differences in weight gain, feed conversion rate or survival). Asparagopsis armata selected extract at 7.5 g per kg feed was able to decrease feed contamination by fungi along time and reduce shrimp mortality by up to 50% upon challenge with V. parahaemolyticus. Despite lacking statistical significance, a difference in hepatopancreas condition after challenge could be identified in shrimp fed the supplemented feed. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion