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This study investigated the physicochemical properties, functionalities, and antioxidant capacities of protein extracts from wild sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis collected from four distinct locations in New Zealand. Protein was extracted from sea cucumber body walls using trypsin enzymatic extraction, followed by cold acetone precipitation. The amino acid analysis revealed high glycine (189.08 mg/g), glutamic acid (119.45 mg/g), and aspartic acid (91.91 mg/g) concentrations in all samples. The essential amino acid indexes of the protein extracts (62.96, average) were higher than the WHO/FAO standard references, indicating the excellent protein quality of A. mollis. Furthermore, protein extracts from A. mollis demonstrated superior emulsifying activity (202.3–349.5 m2/g average) compared to commercial soy and whey protein isolates under all tested pH conditions, and enhanced foaming capacity (109.9–126.4%) and stability (52.7–72%) in neutral and acidic conditions. The extracts also exhibited good solubility, exceeding 70% across pH 3–11. Antioxidant capacities (ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power) were identified in A. mollis protein extracts for the first time, with clear variations observed among different locations. These findings elucidate the advantageous functional properties of protein extracts from wild New Zealand A. mollis and highlight their potential application as high-quality antioxidant food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The autolysis during live sea cucumber transportation is the main concern for the industry. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of ascorbic acid (AA) in reducing autolysis during the storage of live sea cucumbers. The live sea cucumbers were exposed for 5 days to seawater containing different concentrations of AA: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 mg/L. Stored sea cucumber evaluation factors, including individual appearance, sensory score, histologic section, seawater ammonia nitrogen content, and free protein content, were tested. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, activity change of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and genes expression level change of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), SOD, and GSH-PX were compared after storage. The results showed that the AA addition of 25 mg/mL led to a good live sea cucumber condition. The sensory score for AA treatment reached 79.8% of the fresh group, and its stored seawater contained the lowest levels of ammonia nitrogen and soluble protein among all treatment groups. Although the villi in the 25 mg/L treatment group showed slight breakage, they maintained a relatively intact structure with clear cytoplasm and nuclei. The lowest ROS and MDA levels were observed in the intestine and respiratory tree of the 25 mg/L treatment group. The addition of 25 mg/L of AA maximized the activities of CAT, GSH-PX, and SOD. Moreover, the expression of SDH, LDH, SOD, and GSH-PX genes was upregulated 8.8-fold, 5.8-fold, 5.1-fold, and 16-fold compared with the fresh group, respectively. Live sea cucumbers can be transported with 25 mg/L AA treatment, which prevents autolysis-induced deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing consumer demand for healthier and tastier food options has spurred interest in identifying novel salty-enhancing peptides. This study aimed to extract novel salty-enhancing peptides from the collagen of sea cucumber. The model of the transmembrane channel-like 4 (TMC4) salt taste receptor was constructed by AlphaFold2 de novo modeling, and the interaction between peptides and salt taste receptor was studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The results revealed that 99.4% of amino acid residues in the Ramachandran Plot of the TMC4 model resided within the allowed region, thereby substantiating the rationality of the model. The molecular docking results indicated that Gln 279, Glu 92, and Lys 278 may be the key amino acids binding to the TMC4 receptor. The CSRH and KDINNRF showed significant enhancement in saltiness compared to the control group (2.62 ± 0.04), with saltiness values of 3.01 ± 0.00 and 2.86 ± 0.04, respectively. In addition, MD simulation results showed that TMC4 saltiness receptors formed stable RMSD and Rg with salty-enhancing peptides at 0–25 ns simulation time. This study verified that CSRH and KDINNRF are effective salty-enhancing peptides, and also provided a theoretical basis for the discovery of new salty-enhancing peptide resources in marine organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the reproductive cycle and spawning frequency of the sea cucumber Holothuria tubulosa in the northeastern Aegean Sea. Methods: The study covered a period of 12 months, beginning in October 2018 and concluding in September 2019. During this period, sea cucumber samples were collected monthly. Macroscopic and histological examinations of gonadal tubules were conducted to provide credible information for fishery management and aquaculture. Result: The sex ratio of the sampled population was 1:1.3, with 95 males and 130 females. The drained body weights at 50% maturity were 70.90 g for females and 70.80 g for males. The total length at 50% maturity was estimated at 18.58 cm for females and 18.05 cm for males. Gonad maturation was initiated in March and progressed to spawning stages between July and August. From September to February, the gonads were in postspawning and recovery stages. A strong linear correlation was determined between the gonad index and the seawater temperature in the area. Conclusion: The information provided is expected to improve stock management, enforce fishery regulations, and support controlled breeding programs. These measures aim to preserve the natural populations of Holothuria tubulosa and guarantee the long‐term viability of the species in the wild. Impact statementThe Holothuria tubulosa is the most abundant commercial sea cucumber species found in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly in the Aegean Sea. This species plays an important ecological role in nutrient regeneration and surface sediment mineralization in the benthic zone; however, there is significant catch pressure on natural stocks. This study revealed the reproductive cycle of this Mediterranean Sea cucumber species, offering crucial data for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. By understanding their breeding patterns, we can better manage wild populations and develop controlled breeding programs, ensuring the long‐term survival of the species and supporting healthy marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea cucumbers are well demarcated for their valuable role in the food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical sectors. The demand for well-processed dried sea cucumber retaining quality is prioritized by local markets and industries. There are several techniques for the pre-processing of fresh sea cucumbers, including traditional and modern methods, such as salting, boiling, high-pressure processing, high-pressure steaming, and vacuum cooking, among others, in order to inactivate enzymes and microbial attacks. Further, pre-treated sea cucumbers require post-processing before human consumption, transportation, or industry uses such as hot air, freeze, cabinet, sun, or smoke drying. However, despite the ease, traditional processing is associated with several challenges hampering the quality of processed products. For instance, due to high temperatures in boiling and drying, there is a higher chance of disrupting valuable nutrients, resulting in low-quality products. Therefore, the integration of traditional and modern methods is a crucial approach to optimizing sea cucumber processing to obtain valuable products with high nutritional values and retain bioactive compounds. The value of dried sea cucumbers relies not only on species and nutritional value but also on the processing methods in terms of retaining sensory attributes, including colour, appearance, texture, taste, and odour. Therefore, this review, for the first time, provides insight into different pre- and post-treatments, their perspective, challenges, and how these methods can be optimized for industry use to obtain better-quality products and achieve economic gains from sea cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The holothurians, commonly known as sea cucumbers, are marine organisms that possess significant dietary, nutritional, and medicinal value. However, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) currently possesses only approximately 70 complete mitochondrial genome datasets of Holothurioidea, which poses limitations on conducting comprehensive research on their genetic resources and evolutionary patterns. In this study, a novel species of sea cucumber belonging to the genus Benthodytes, was discovered in the western Pacific Ocean. The genomic DNA of the novel sea cucumber was extracted, sequenced, assembled and subjected to thorough analysis. Results: The mtDNA of Benthodytes sp. Gxx-2023 (GenBank No. OR992091) exhibits a circular structure spanning 17,386 bp, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 24 non-coding RNAs (2 rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes), along with two putative control regions measuring 882 bp and 1153 bp, respectively. It exhibits a high AT% content and negative AT-skew, which distinguishing it from the majority of sea cucumbers in terms of environmental adaptability evolution. The mitochondrial gene homology between Gxx-2023 and other sea cucumbers is significantly low, with less than 91% similarity to Benthodytes marianensis, which exhibits the highest level of homology. Additionally, its homology with other sea cucumbers is below 80%. The mitogenome of this species exhibits a unique pattern in terms of start and stop codons, featuring only two types of start codons (ATG and ATT) and three types of stop codons including the incomplete T. Notably, the abundance of AT in the Second position of the codons surpasses that of the First and Third position. The gene arrangement of PCGs exhibits a relatively conserved pattern, while there exists substantial variability in tRNA. Evolutionary analysis revealed that it formed a distinct cluster with B. marianensis and exhibited relatively distant phylogenetic relationships with other sea cucumbers. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the taxonomic diversity of sea cucumbers in the Elasipodida order, thereby holding significant implications for the conservation of biological genetic resources, evolutionary advancements, and the exploration of novel sea cucumber resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea cucumbers have become a highly valuable fishery product, and therefore the determination of their proximate compositions and fatty acid profiles are useful indicators of their physiological status and nutritional value. Thus, various raw and processed products, such as raw, dried, frozen, boiled, and salted Holothuria polii and Holothuria tubulosa that were collected from the Aegean Sea were analyzed. Although there were some notable differences in the proximate and fatty acid profiles between the two species and among the various processing forms, both H. polii and H. tubulosa had a high nutritional value. They were rich in proteins (up to 68.5% in the dried form), and although their lipid fraction was low (0.3–3.9%), it was characterized by very high levels of arachidonic acid (19.1–30.9% of total fatty acids) and eicosapentaenoic acid (8.5–15.7) that play vital roles in human growth, development, and health. In addition, their n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratios were within the recommended ranges, while their low Atherogenic and Thrombogenic indices and high Hypocholesterolemic index denote their high protective role against coronary artery disease. The provided information sheds light on the high nutritional value of this important marine fishery resource and provides valuable information for its preservation and processing. This information could also help policy makers, stakeholders, and the public to recognize the importance of this valuable fishery resource for human nutrition and to adopt preventative measures toward its sustainable exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea cucumber has emerged as a crucial economic species in aquaculture in China because of its remarkable nutritional and medicinal value. However, wild sea cucumber populations have experienced a decline due to overfishing and environmental factors, underscoring the urgent need for genetic resource conservation and biotechnology innovation within the sea cucumber aquaculture and breeding industry. The development of the sea cucumber industry is still impeded by challenges and difficulties. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made through the utilization of molecular markers, which have effectively addressed a number of fisheries and aquaculture issues. In recent years, diverse types of molecular markers including mitochondrial DNA, microsatellites, and SNP markers have been developed and extensively applied in various aspects of sea cucumber research. These markers play vital roles in genetic sex identification, germplasm resource evaluation, population structure assessment, as well as marker-assisted breeding in marine ranching and sea cucumber aquaculture and breeding industry. This review provides an overview of the fundamental principles, functions, and characteristics associated with various markers employed across various sea cucumber species while also discussing their applications within different aspects of the sea cucumber fisheries, aquaculture, and breeding industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sea cucumber is an essential nutrient source and a significant economic marine resource associated with successful aquaculture. However, sea cucumbers are highly susceptible to autolysis induced by endogenous protease after postmortem, and the phenomenon of body wall “melting” occurs, which seriously affects the food quality of products and the degree of acceptance by consumers. To satisfy the growing demand for fresh or processed sea cucumbers, we must clarify the autolysis mechanism of sea cucumbers and the methods to achieve autolysis regulation. In this paper, the factors leading to the quality deterioration and texture softening of sea cucumbers are reviewed, with emphasis on enzymatic characteristics, the autolysis mechanism, the effects of autolysis on the physicochemical properties of the body wall of the sea cucumber, and the development of potential natural protease inhibitors. We aim to provide some reference in future preservation and processing processes for sea cucumbers, promote new processing and preservation technologies, and advance the sea cucumber industry’s development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight sulfated triterpene glycosides, peronioside A (1) and psolusosides A (2), B (3), G (4), I (5), L (6), N (7) and P (8), were isolated from the sea cucumber Psolus peronii. Peronioside A (1) is a new glycoside, while compounds 2–8 were found previously in Psolus fabricii, indicating the phylogenetic and systematic closeness of these species of sea cucumbers. The activity of 1–8 against human erythrocytes and their cytotoxicity against the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, T-47D and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 were tested. The most active against cancer cell compounds, psolusosides A (2) and L (6), which were not cytotoxic to the non-transformed cells of the mammary gland, were chosen to study the inhibition of the migration, formation and growth of colonies of the cancer cell lines. Glycoside 2 effectively inhibited the growth of colonies and the migration of the MDA-MB-231 cell line. Compound 6 blocked the growth of colonies of T-47D cells and showed a pronounced antimigration effect on MDA-MB-231 cells. The quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR) indicated the strong impact on the activity of the form and size of the molecules, which is connected to the length and architecture of the carbohydrate chain, the distribution of charge on the molecules' surface and various aspects of hydrogen bond formation, depending on the quantity and positions of the sulfate groups. The QSAR calculations were in good accordance with the observed SAR tendencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Complementary medicine is an interesting field for extracting bioactive compounds from various plant and animal sources. The hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic extract of a species of sea cucumber called Holothuria leucospilota in an animal model of liver cancer caused by dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN) was studied. Methods Wistar female rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 12): control (intact), positive control (received 1% DMN [10 mg/kg/week, intraperitoneally] for 12 weeks), and three treatment groups (received 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day H. leucospilota extract orally for 12 weeks along with intraperitoneal administration of 1% DMN [10 mg/kg/week]). In all groups, ultrasound was performed on the liver every week to check its density. Blood sampling and liver isolation were performed on three occasions, at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, to check liver enzymes and the histopathological condition of the liver tissue (every week, four animals from each group were randomly selected). Results Liver density changes were evident from the eighth week onward in the positive control group. Histopathological results indicated pathologic changes in the positive control group after 4 weeks. The increase in liver enzymes in the positive control group was significantly different from that in the treatment and control groups. Conclusions We demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect of H. leucospilota on DMN‐induced liver damage in rats using biochemical and histological parameters and ultrasonography. More additional research (in silico or in vitro) is needed to find the exact mechanism and the main biological compound in H. leucospilota.

Abstract Background The holothurians, commonly known as sea cucumbers, are marine organisms that possess significant dietary, nutritional, and medicinal value. However, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) currently possesses only approximately 70 complete mitochondrial genome datasets of Holothurioidea, which poses limitations on conducting comprehensive research on their genetic resources and evolutionary patterns. In this study, a novel species of sea cucumber belonging to the genus Benthodytes, was discovered in the western Pacific Ocean. The genomic DNA of the novel sea cucumber was extracted, sequenced, assembled and subjected to thorough analysis. Results The mtDNA of Benthodytes sp. Gxx-2023 (GenBank No. OR992091) exhibits a circular structure spanning 17,386 bp, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 24 non-coding RNAs (2 rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes), along with two putative control regions measuring 882 bp and 1153 bp, respectively. It exhibits a high AT% content and negative AT-skew, which distinguishing it from the majority of sea cucumbers in terms of environmental adaptability evolution. The mitochondrial gene homology between Gxx-2023 and other sea cucumbers is significantly low, with less than 91% similarity to Benthodytes marianensis, which exhibits the highest level of homology. Additionally, its homology with other sea cucumbers is below 80%. The mitogenome of this species exhibits a unique pattern in terms of start and stop codons, featuring only two types of start codons (ATG and ATT) and three types of stop codons including the incomplete T. Notably, the abundance of AT in the Second position of the codons surpasses that of the First and Third position. The gene arrangement of PCGs exhibits a relatively conserved pattern, while there exists substantial variability in tRNA. Evolutionary analysis revealed that it formed a distinct cluster with B. marianensis and exhibited relatively distant phylogenetic relationships with other sea cucumbers. Conclusions These findings contribute to the taxonomic diversity of sea cucumbers in the Elasipodida order, thereby holding significant implications for the conservation of biological genetic resources, evolutionary advancements, and the exploration of novel sea cucumber resources.

This work aimed to explore the difference of quality among commercial ready-to-eat sea cucumber products. The sensory, texture, chemical composition, nutritional quality and digestibility of four common commercial sea cucumber from Dalian (sea cucumber with high moisture content (HW-DLS), seasoned sea cucumber with low moisture content (FLW-DLS), sea cucumber with low moisture content (LW-DLS)) or Fujian (sea cucumber with high moisture content (HW-FJS)) were determined. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to evaluate comprehensive quality of products. The results from sensory analysis revealed that the colour appearance of all sample were good. FLW-DLS had the most acceptable taste characteristics. There was a difference of texture characteristics in samples. The ash, total carbohydrate, and salt contents of FLW-DLS were significantly higher than those of other sea cucumbers (P

The present study explores rare but taxonomically and geographically widespread cases of anterior body axial bifurcation in adult sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea). One individual of Holothuria (Halodeima) grisea, a common intertidal species along the Atlantic coast of Brazil, was studied externally and internally. Individuals of Apostichopus californicus from the northeastern Pacific coast of Washington (USA), H. (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota in the Indian Ocean off La Réunion, H. (Panningothuria) forskali from the Atlantic coast of Spain, and Parastichopus tremulus from the northeastern Atlantic off Norway were also reported to display similar anterior body axial bifurcation. In each of these species, the anterior body presented two mouths with their respective crown of tentacles. In vivo observations of H. (Halodeima) grisea showed that the two tentacle crowns and mouths were independently functional. Micro‐computed tomography (μCT) revealed that the anterior region of the body (up to the pharynx) was duplicated. Internally, two aquapharyngeal bulbs were found, each with their own calcareous ring (one with two plates missing), madreporite, and Polian vesicles. The body presented a normal set of five longitudinal muscle bands, some of which bifurcated orally to support more than one calcareous ring plate. This is the first report of such abnormalities in Holothuroidea and hypotheses that may explain such phenomenon are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sandfish Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra, is a high-value tropical sea cucumber harvested from wild stocks for over four centuries in multi-species fisheries across its Indo-Pacific distribution, for the global bê che-de-mer (BDM) trade. Within Southeast Asia, the Philippines is an important centre of the BDM trade, however overharvesting and largely open fishery management have resulted in declining catch volumes. Sandfish mariculture has been developed to supplement BDM supply and assist restocking efforts; however, it is heavily reliant on wild populations for broodstock supply. Consequently, to inform fishery, mariculture, germplasm and translocation management policies for both wild and captive resources, a high-resolution genomic audit of 16 wild sandfish populations was conducted, employing a proven genotyping-bysequencing approach for this species (DArTseq). Genomic data (8,266 selectively-neutral and 117 putatively-adaptive SNPs) were used to assess finescale genetic structure, diversity, relatedness, population connectivity and local adaptation at both broad (biogeographic region) and local (within-biogeographic region) scales. An independent hydrodynamic particle dispersal model was also used to assess population connectivity. The overall pattern of population differentiation at the country level for H. scabra in the Philippines is complex, with nine genetic stocks and respective management units delineated across 5 biogeographic regions: (1) Celebes Sea, (2) North and (3) South Philippine Seas, (4) South China and Internal Seas and (5) Sulu Sea. Genetic connectivity is highest within proximate marine biogeographic regions (mean Fst=0.016), with greater separation evident between geographically distant sites (Fst range=0.041-0.045). Signatures of local adaptation were detected among six biogeographic regions, with genetic bottlenecks at 5 sites, particularly within historically heavilyexploited locations in the western and central Philippines. Genetic structure is influenced by geographic distance, larval dispersal capacity, species-specific larval development and settlement attributes, variable ocean current-mediated gene flow, source and sink location geography and habitat heterogeneity across the archipelago. Data reported here will inform accurate and sustainable fishery regulation, conservation of genetic diversity, direct broodstock sourcing for mariculture and guide restocking interventions across the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sea cucumber-derived fungi have attracted much attention due to their capacity to produce an incredible variety of secondary metabolites. Genome-wide information on Aspergillus micronesiensis H39 obtained using third-generation sequencing technology (PacBio-SMRT) showed that the strain contains nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like gene clusters, which aroused our interest in mining its secondary metabolites. 11 known compounds (1–11), including two γ-aromatic butenolides (γ-AB) and five cytochalasans, were isolated from A. micronesiensis H39. The structures of the compounds were determined by NMR and ESIMS, and comparison with those reported in the literature. From the perspective of biogenetic origins, the γ-butyrolactone core of compounds 1 and 2 was assembled by NRPS-like enzyme. All of the obtained compounds showed no inhibitory activity against drug-resistant bacteria and fungi, as well as compounds 1 and 2 had no anti-angiogenic activity against zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Condiment is the property of China Condiment and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Artificial reefs have been advocated and implemented as management tools for aquaculture, species conservation and habitat replacement. However, the shelter capacity of artificial reefs and its influencing factors are still not well understood. In this study, we identified factors that may limit the shelter capacity of artificial reefs for sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicas) with a laboratory experiment. We investigated how water flow and food availability affect the shelter capacity and conducted shelter utilization experiments to determine whether sea cucumber sheltering behavior was density dependent. The results revealed that shelter capacity of artificial reefs in high velocity is significantly higher than that of artificial reefs in low velocity or no velocity. The artificial reefs that were provided food had significantly higher shelter capacity than those that did not have food. The densities did not affect the sheltering capacity of artificial reefs in the laboratory experiment. There was a logarithmic relationship between the shelter capacity and shelter availability assessed by the exposed surface area of the artificial reefs. In conclusion, abundant food resources and high water flow may have a positive effect on the shelter capacity of artificial reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea cucumbers were stored live in 25% oxygen or 25 mg/mL of ascorbic acid for 7 days, for comparison purposes. The condition of the individuals was assessed through the sensory scores, bacterial communities, and biochemical indexes. The oxygen treatment extended preservation by 2 days compared to ascorbic acid. After 7 days, the total volatile basic nitrogen and the microbial content in all sea cucumbers were within acceptable limits. The actin degradation rate reached 1.3416 ± 0.03%, and cathepsin B and L increased by 94.6% and 59.1%, respectively, in the Control group. The quality decline of sea cucumbers during storage was caused by autolysis rather than spoilage organisms. (1) The evidence indicates autolysis occurred during sea cucumber storage, with 94.6% and 59.1% improvement in cathepsin B and L, respectively, and actin degradation of 1.3416 ± 0.03%. (2) The quality decline of sea cucumbers during storage was caused by autolysis rather than spoilage organisms. (3) The score evaluation revealed that the preservation time was two days longer with oxygen treatment (25%) than with ascorbic acid treatment (25 mg/mL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs a multidisciplinary methodology across natural and social sciences to examine relationships between biodiversity loss at sea and urban consumption with a focus on sea cucumber and dried seafood markets in New York City (NYC). The study identified 34 dried seafood retailers across three NYC Chinatown boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Samples of sea cucumber were collected with Chinese-language labels indicating the commodity was from South America, a region of conservation concern. Comparison samples were taken from sea cucumbers labeled from Mexico and Japan. A mitochondrial DNA barcoding method was used to examine the taxonomic origin of 103 samples. Sequence data were successfully obtained from 74 of the samples, 8 of which were classified as brown sea cucumber (Isostichopus fuscus), an endangered species for which harvest is banned in several locations. Semi-structured interviews with dried seafood retailers and consumers (n = 64), moreover, revealed associations between consuming sea cucumber and enhancing human health and limited knowledge of product origins. Collectively, the findings reveal socio-ecological dynamics wherein endangered species on the market coupled with geographic market labeling practices and varying degrees of retailer and consumer knowledge negatively bear on marine biodiversity. Furthermore, given that brown sea cucumbers are abundant on the market, there is a need for developing genetic markers that can trace geographic origin to determine if species were legally harvested. These results indicate that more robust market labeling, training, genetic research, and public outreach are required to advance One Health in urban seafood markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea cucumbers are the second most diverse class among echinoderms. They are characterized by an elongated body and dermal ossicles in the body wall. Among the included groups in that class, the order Holothuriida encompasses many species of commercial interest. Faced with the threats of biodiversity loss resulting from the climate crisis and the advancement of cities, this study provides an overview of recent research involving the Holothuriida of the Brazilian Coast. Searches were carried out in the main periodical databases, using appropriate keywords, targeting publications on the subject in the period between 2000 and 2023. In total, 69 publications were found, most of them corresponding to scientific articles in international journals. Most of the studies come from the Northeast region in Brazil (56.52%). Regarding lines of research, those involving taxonomy and molecular analysis were the most prevalent. Over these 20 years, seven species constituted new occurrences. Of note are the studies focused on Holothuria (Halodeima) grisea, which makes up 39.13% of papers. Despite progress, little is known about morphological variations, genetic distance between populations, population densities, and on reproductive biology of species. Brazil has a vast, heterogeneous coastal area, with unique characteristics to which the species are adapted. The findings reinforce the importance to expand studies aiming on knowing the biodiversity, reproductive biology, and population densities of species. Such data are essential for the creation of public policies aimed at the conservation of species of Holothuriida and their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sea cucumbers from unharvested areas, are underutilized resources which may have the potential to become a future food resource. The aim of this study was to evaluate protein quality and investigate the changes in antioxidant activity from frozen and freeze-dried red sea cucumber (Parastichopus tremulus) subjected to digestion, using an in vitro digestion model. P. tremulus constituted high moisture content (90%), comparable protein (4%) and ash (4%) content, and low lipid (1%) content. The biochemical components in freeze-dried samples were largely retained during the freeze-drying process. Frozen samples showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) antioxidant activity compared to freeze-dried samples (calculated on a dry weight basis). The quantity of essential amino acids was high (31%) and corresponds to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reference protein. Frozen samples showed an increase in antioxidant activity during digestion measured by three different antioxidant assays. Freeze-dried samples only showed an increase in one of the antioxidant assays. Correlations (p < 0.05) were found between specific free amino acids and antioxidant activity. The amount of free amino acids exceeded the threshold to taste bitter, umami, sour, and sweet flavors. This study showed that P. tremulus constitutes good protein quality, performed antioxidant activity, and has the potential to be used as a flavor-enhancing ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin ulceration syndrome of sea cucumbers is one of the most serious diseases in intensive aquaculture, and it is the most effective way of preventing the spread of this disease to detect the abnormal behavior of sea cucumbers in time and take corresponding measures. However, the detection and tracking of multi-object is a hard problem in sea cucumber behavior analysis. To solve this problem, this paper first proposes a novel one-stage algorithm SUS-YOLOv5 for multi-object detection and tracking of sea cucumbers. The proposed SUS-YOLOv5 optimizes the maximum suppression algorithm in the overlapping region of the object detection box. Next, the SE-BiFPN feature fusion structure is proposed to enhance the transmission efficiency of feature information between deep and shallow layers of the network. Then, a MO-Tracking algorithm is proposed integrated with DeepSORT to achieve real-time multi-object tracking. Experimental results show that the mAP@0.5 and mAP@0.5:0.95 of the proposed object detector reach 95.40% and 83.80%, respectively, which are 3.30% and 4.10% higher than the original YOLOv5s. Compared with the traditional SSD, YOLOv3, and YOLOv4, the mAP of SUS-YOLOv5 is improved by 5.49%, 1.57%, and 3.76%, respectively. This research can realize the multiobject detection and tracking, which lays the foundation for the prediction of skin ulceration syndrome in sea cucumbers and has a certain practical application value for improving the intelligence level of aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moratorium is a common marine resource management strategy used by nation‐states that abruptly reclassifies the harvesting and trade of designated resources as 'illegal' for a defined period. Nation‐states use moratoria to help ecological stocks of overharvested marine species to recover. The Fijian state instituted a moratorium on the harvest and trade of beche‐de‐mer between 2017 and 2022 due to evidence of overfishing. Through ethnographic fieldwork with Fijian beche‐de‐mer fishers, traders and exporters, I examine how the moratorium affected relational trade flows of beche‐de‐mer. In precolonial Fiji, marine resources flowed through historically established regional socio‐cultural pathways. During the colonial period, Chinese migrants in Fiji occupied a unique relational positionality to indigenous (itaukei) communities, which allowed them bridge domestic and international resource markets. Through my ethnographic fieldwork, I detail how beche‐de‐mer continued to be traded during and post moratorium within such a relational resource geography. I argue that the relational ties between itaukei communities and Chinese‐Fijian buyers that subsequently connect to international markets undermined the moratorium restrictions, as well as the new conditionalities of trade after the moratorium was lifted. Such relationality in the marine resource trade renders moratoria an ineffective marine resource management strategy as it is inattentive to Pacific context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous spatiotemporal species distribution modeling frameworks are now available to the ecological practitioner. This study compared three such frameworks accessible in the R programming language: generalized additive models with spatiotemporal smooths as implemented by mgcv, spatiotemporal generalized linear mixed models based on nearest neighbor Gaussian processes as implemented by starve, and spatiotemporal generalized linear mixed models based on the stochastic partial differential equations approach as implemented by sdmTMB. The primary focus was to compare the inferences obtained from applying these frameworks to the case study of the orange‐footed sea cucumber, Cucumaria frondosa, on the Scotian Shelf off Nova Scotia, Canada. Each model was fit to catch data (2000–2019) from Fisheries and Oceans Canada's annual Research Vessel and Snow Crab surveys. Environmental covariates were sourced from high‐resolution data layers, including physical oceanographic, bathymetric, and seafloor morphometric datasets. The three models captured variability in sea cucumber distribution that would have been overlooked without a spatiotemporal approach. Although their predictions were similar, including within C. frondosa spatial reserves, the models provided different inferences regarding covariate effects. This suggests that while practitioners primarily interested in mapping species distributions need only apply the most familiar framework, those most concerned with identifying predictive environmental covariates may benefit from comparing the output from multiple approaches. Employing multiple approaches can also serve as a validation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: High temperature and oil pollution are typical examples of environmental stress to sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) in northern China. Aims: Evaluate the combined effects of high temperature and oil pollution on the immune responses of sea cucumbers. Methods: In this study, we investigated the immune responses in the respiratory tree of sea cucumber subjected to the optimal temperature (16°C), high temperature (26°C), Oman crude oil (OCO) water-accommodated fractions (WAF) at 16°C (WAF + 16°C) and OCO WAF at 26°C (WAF + 26°C) for 48 h. Key results: All three treatments significantly up-regulated total antioxidant capacity and disturbed active oxygen species homeostasis in sea cucumbers. Moreover, all three treatments caused immune-enzyme activity disorders, manifested by a significant increase in acid–alkaline phosphatase and nitric oxide synthase activities and a noticeable decline in lysozyme activity. Conclusions: Combining the integrated biomarker-response index (WAF + 26°C > 26°C > WAF + 16°C), the combined stress could result in a more adverse effect on the immune responses of sea cucumbers than do high temperature or oil pollution alone, which might further exacerbate the health challenges for sea cucumbers in response to environmental stress. Implications: This study has provided an insight into the immune impacts in benthic organisms caused by high temperature and oil pollution. We investigated the immune responses in the respiratory tree of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) to high temperature, oil pollution, and the combined stress of high temperature and oil pollution. We found that acute exposure to oil pollution may have affect the immune function of sea cucumbers, whereas high temperature may exacerbate the health challenges of sea cucumbers subjected to environmental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image analysis is being developed to improve the efficiency of fishery and aquaculture technologies. Optical cameras are an easy and cost-effective method for monitoring fish and other species. In this study, a monitoring system that combines an underwater time-lapse camera and a deep learning-based image analysis was developed for utilization in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). The sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) was used as a target species because the technology necessary for estimating growth, particularly in terms of weight, of caged sea cucumber using an underwater environment is still under study. Therefore, semantic segmentation was applied to classify the images into caged sea cucumbers and various underwater backgrounds. Multiple images of sea cucumbers were captured in a water tank that mimicked the box cage used in IMTA, and their body weights were measured simultaneously. For model development, approximately 1,300 images were prepared for the training and validation processes. The model then achieved an IoU (Intersection over Union) of approximately 94 % for the validation data. Next, the pixel numbers of sea cucumbers were converted into an area calculated using the size of the cage net as the background. The relationship between the area and weight of sea cucumbers yielded an approximate line for estimating body weight. As a result, the approximation line had a coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.87 for training and validation data and RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) =1.81 and 6.78 g for sea cucumbers less than 10 and 110 g, respectively. Using the model, test images in an actual IMTA situation were applied, and the estimated body weights were close to the measured values for small sea cucumbers. If we apply this model to images obtained over an extended period, the growth of sea cucumbers in a time series can be understood.

Abstract The growing interest in valorizing industrial by-products has led researchers to focus on exploring different sources and optimizing collagen extraction conditions over the past decade. While bovine hide, cattle bones, pork, and pig skins remain the most abundant collagen sources, there is a growing trend in the industrial utilization of collagen from non-mammalian species. This review explores alternative marine collagen sources and summarizes emerging trends in collagen recovery from marine sources, with a particular focus on environmentally friendly methods. Additionally, this review covers the colloidal structure-forming properties of marine collagens, including foam, film, gel, and emulsion formation. It also highlights the potential and important applications of marine collagen in various food products. Based on the currently reported marine sources, collagens extracted from fish, jellyfish, and sea cucumbers were found to have the highest yield and mostly comprised type-I collagen, while crustaceans and mollusks yielded lower percentages of collagen. Traditional extraction techniques isolate collagen based on acetic acid and pepsin treatment, but they come with drawbacks such as being time-consuming, causing sample destruction, and using solvents. Conversely, marine collagen extracted using conventional methods assisted with ultrasonication resulted in higher yields and strengthened the triple-stranded helical structures. Recently, an increasing number of new applications have been found in the food industry for marine collagens, such as biodegradable film-forming materials, colloid stabilizers, foaming agents, and micro-encapsulating agents. Furthermore, collagen is a modern foodstuff and is extensively used in the beverage, dairy, and meat industries to increase the stability, consistency, and elasticity of products. Graphical abstract

Abstract Sea cucumbers, belonging to class Holothuroidea, are marine invertebrates with substantial bioactive compounds. This study provides the first comparative metabolome profiling of Holothuria atra and Actinopyga crassa sea cucumbers in relation to their season of collection to dissect between winter and summer samples, providing several first‐time reported metabolites as well as the effect of metabolome variation on their cytotoxic activity against colon and prostate cancer cell lines. Ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with high‐resolution mass spectrometry and global natural products social molecular networking followed by multivariate data analysis were employed for metabolite profiling and seasonal biomarker assignment for each species. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated using in vitro assays against prostate and colon cancer cell lines. A total of 113 metabolites were annotated in both species, including 4 organic acids, 21 sulfoquinovosyl glycerol (sulfolipids), 5 alkyl sulfates, 13 sulfated/saponins, 8 sulfated/triterpene mono/di‐glycosides, 10 triterpenes, 13 sulfated/sterols, 32 phospholipids, 4 sphingolipids, and 3 glycerolipids, several of which are new or first‐time reported. Multivariate data analyses revealed lipid accumulation in summer samples versus triterpene and saponin enrichment in winter‐collected samples, particularly in H. atra, rationalizing its potent cytotoxic activity (IC50 6–12 µg/mL) as revealed using a regression model. However, winter‐collected samples of A. crassa are relatively the least abundant in antinutrient saponins, thus considered to have higher food value.

In order to provide reference for the comprehensive development and utilization, the nutritional function components of wild sea cucumbers in different sea areas were explored. This study comprehensively analyzed the nutritional composition of four wild sea cucumber species: Stichopus horrens, Stichopus chloronotus, Holothuria mammata, and Cucumaria frondosa. The basic nutritional composition, amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral element contents of the four sea cucumbers species were analyzed and evaluated. The results showed that the four species had high protein and low fat in common. Holothuria mammata exhibited the highest protein and lowest fat content. Stichopus chloronotus was rich in polysaccharides and ash content, while Cucumaria frondosa had notable saponin content. Each of the four sea cucumber types contained a consistent array of 17 amino acids, boasting substantial quantities of both delectable and medicinal amino acids. The essential amino acids accounted for a range of 13.78% to 20.27%, with Cucumaria frondosa displayed the most elevated content. Through the assessment of amino acid scores (AAS) and chemical scores (CS), lysine emerges was the predominant limiting amino acid across all four sea cucumber species. In terms of fatty acid composition, all species exhibited a spectrum of saturated fatty acids (SFA) within total fatty acids, with content varying from 23.84% to 36.24%. Palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) constituted the primary components of this SFA makeup. Notably, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content ranged from 56.39% to 72.93%, with Cucumaria frondosa displayed the highest proportion. Among the major elements, calcium (Ca) content was relatively higher in all four samples, except for Holothuria mammata. Among the trace elements, the highest content was iron (Fe). This comparative analysis showed that wild sea cucumbers in different sea areas were rich in various nutrients that the human body needs, and had different edible values and development utilization.

Research on ecologically and economically important sea cucumbers has been focused on temperate and tropical species, leaving those from higher latitudes, such as the Canadian Arctic, understudied. This study compared the phenotypic characters of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa sampled from populations of the Arctic (Hudson Bay, Nunavut) and Northwest Atlantic (Newfoundland). Organ indices and external and internal tissue pigmentation, and various biochemical metrics (proximate composition, lipids, fatty acids, amino acids, lipid-soluble vitamins, carotenoids) were assessed. All sea cucumbers had similar total body weights, but those from Newfoundland had heavier gonads and body walls, while the tissue pigmentation of Nunavut individuals was distinctive (more red and yellow trivium, darker brown pigmentation). Moisture and ash contents of sea cucumbers were similar between locations; however, protein and lipid contents in Nunavut samples were 12 and 50% lower, respectively. Inversely, Nunavut samples contained more ω-3 fatty acids, a greater degree of lipid desaturation, double the concentration of proline and vitamin A, and more carbohydrates and astaxanthin than Northwest Atlantic samples. Examining phenotypic variability across latitudes and longitudes, including into the Arctic, highlights unique physical and biochemical features attributed to this specific environment and may support the sustainable development of sea cucumber fisheries.

Abstract A challenge for evolutionary developmental (evo-devo) biology is to expand the breadth of research organisms used to investigate how animal diversity has evolved through changes in embryonic development. New experimental systems should couple a relevant phylogenetic position with available molecular tools and genomic resources. As a phylum of the sister group to chordates, echinoderms extensively contributed to our knowledge of embryonic patterning, organ development and cell-type evolution. Echinoderms display a variety of larval forms with diverse shapes, making them a suitable group to compare the evolution of embryonic developmental strategies. However, because of the laboratory accessibility and the already available techniques, most studies focus on sea urchins and sea stars mainly. As a comparative approach, the field would benefit from including information on other members of this group, like the sea cucumbers (holothuroids), for which little is known on the molecular basis of their development. Here, we review the spawning and culture methods, the available morphological and molecular information, and the current state of genomic and transcriptomic resources on sea cucumbers. With the goal of making this system accessible to the broader community, we discuss how sea cucumber embryos and larvae can be a powerful system to address the open questions in evo-devo, including understanding the origins of bilaterian structures.

Study purpose. This study aims to analyze and highlight the potential of Sea Cucumber in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation caused by exercise. Materials and methods. The study is a type of systematic review research using searches from various journal databases such as Science Direct, Pubmed and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria in this study were journals published in the last 5 years which discussed sea cucumber, oxidative stress, inflammation and exercise. Furthermore, the exclusion criteria in this research are journals that are not reputable or are not indexed by Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 1038 articles from the Science Direct, Pubmed and Web of Science databases were identified. A total of 8 articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected and analyzed for this systematic review. For standard operations, this study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) assessment. Results. The results of this systematic review research report that the strong phenolic content found in Sea Cucumber has anti-oxidant properties which may reduce oxidative stress. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of sea cucumbers have the potential to reduce uncontrolled inflammation caused by intense exercise. Conclusions. The phenolic content in sea cucumbers has strong anti-oxidant properties in reducing oxidative stress. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of sea cucumbers may reduce uncontrolled inflammation caused by exercise. In this case, sea cucumbers have an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Through this systematic review, we recommend that future studies should perform clinical trials on the potential effects of sea cucumber on oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory biomarkers after exercise.

To improve the ease of eating sea cucumbers, we investigated the impact of puffing temperature (190 °C - 250 °C) and time (1–5 min) on their quality and flavor. As temperature and time increased, sea cucumber puffing significantly enhanced. The microstructure of the puffed sea cucumber exhibited a uniform porous structure at 230 °C for 4 min. However, further puffing treatment caused the void to collapse. A total of 81 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified using HS-GC-IMS, and 18 VOCs with Relative odor activity value (ROAV) ≥1 were identified. The content of fishy compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide, 1-octanal, and 1-nonanal in sea cucumbers gradually decreased with increasing temperature and time. Combined with GC–MS analysis indicating that the flavor of sea cucumbers puffed at 250 °C for 5 min was superior. Our findings suggest new avenues for sea cucumber processing and address the limited research on puffing techniques for protein-based raw materials.

Many species of sea cucumbers (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) perform evisceration, i.e., ejection of internal organs including digestive tracts when responding to environmental stresses. After evisceration, they also show a high regenerative capacity, in which all the eviscerated organs regenerate. Especially in anterior evisceration species, the oral complex structure consisting of multiple organs, including the digestive tract and central nervous system, are reconstructed. The detailed developmental mechanisms underlying the process remains unclear, and therefore, in this study, focusing on Eupentacta quinquesemita, gene expression analyses in the regenerating tissues were carried out. For the formation of the gut tube, genes involved in mesenchymal-epithelial transition were upregulated consistently with the histological changes. Upregulation of Hox and Parahox genes along the anterior-posterior axis was observed, implying the involvement of these genes in the spatial differentiation of the digestive tract. In addition, the expression of otx, six and pax, i.e., transcription factors patterning anterior nervous tissues, was upregulated during the regeneration of the central nervous system. Taken together, these results suggest that conserved genes are co-opted to the internal organ regeneration after evisceration in sea cucumbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial reef is a kind of artificial structure set in the water. Through the construction of artificial reef, it can create a good ecological environment for fish and other aquatic organisms, so as to achieve the purpose of protecting and breeding fishery resources. In this study, according to the characteristics and growth habits of sea cucumber, a sea cucumber breeding reef was designed as an artificial adhesion base. Based on the hydrodynamic test of sea cucumber breeding reef, the influence of the single structure of sea cucumber breeding reef on the flow field effect around the reef was analyzed, and the stress of sea cucumber breeding reef under the condition of the same inflow velocity was obtained. According to the simulation results, the up welling volume and back eddy volume of sea cucumber breeding reef were calculated. At the same time, the monomer stability of sea cucumber breeding reef was discussed. The results showed that due to the small aperture and dense gap, the up welling and back eddy volume of sea cucumber breeding reef were both larger. When the inflow velocity was 0.5 m/s, the anti-slip coefficient and anti-overturning coefficient of sea cucumber breeding reef were both greater than 1, indicating that the sea cucumber breeding reef has good safety performance. Hydrodynamic model was used to simulate the flow field effect in artificial reef area and optimize the structure design of artificial reef to maximize the biological attraction and proliferation effect of the artificial reef, which can provide theoretical guidance and technical support for the construction of artificial reef area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in valorizing industrial by-products has led researchers to focus on exploring different sources and optimizing collagen extraction conditions over the past decade. While bovine hide, cattle bones, pork, and pig skins remain the most abundant collagen sources, there is a growing trend in the industrial utilization of collagen from non-mammalian species. This review explores alternative marine collagen sources and summarizes emerging trends in collagen recovery from marine sources, with a particular focus on environmentally friendly methods. Additionally, this review covers the colloidal structure-forming properties of marine collagens, including foam, film, gel, and emulsion formation. It also highlights the potential and important applications of marine collagen in various food products. Based on the currently reported marine sources, collagens extracted from fish, jellyfish, and sea cucumbers were found to have the highest yield and mostly comprised type-I collagen, while crustaceans and mollusks yielded lower percentages of collagen. Traditional extraction techniques isolate collagen based on acetic acid and pepsin treatment, but they come with drawbacks such as being time-consuming, causing sample destruction, and using solvents. Conversely, marine collagen extracted using conventional methods assisted with ultrasonication resulted in higher yields and strengthened the triple-stranded helical structures. Recently, an increasing number of new applications have been found in the food industry for marine collagens, such as biodegradable film-forming materials, colloid stabilizers, foaming agents, and micro-encapsulating agents. Furthermore, collagen is a modern foodstuff and is extensively used in the beverage, dairy, and meat industries to increase the stability, consistency, and elasticity of products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prevent alcoholic liver disease, the addition of bioactive substances to the alcoholic drink Baijiu has been considered a feasible option. In the present study, the hepatoprotective effects of a sea cucumber sulfated polysaccharide (SCSP) isolated from Stichopus japonicu were investigated. Moreover, in order to enhance its solubility in an alcohol solution, it was depolymerized using a photocatalytic reaction, and the photocatalytic degradation products (dSCSPs) with an average molecular weight of less than 2 kDa were studied and compared with SCSP. They were characterized by a series of chemical and spectroscopy methods and the oligosaccharide fragments in the dSCSP were further identified by HPLC-MSn analysis. Then, the in vivo experiment showed that the addition of SCSP or dSCSP to Baijiu could alleviate alcoholic liver injury in mice. Further analysis also revealed their protective effect in reducing oxidative stress damage and their regulation of the metabolism of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the liver. Of note, dSCSP was more effective at reducing the level of malondialdehyde in the liver. These findings indicate that the addition of sea cucumber polysaccharide or its low-molecular-weight derivative in Baijiu has the potential to alleviate alcoholic liver injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myriad studies have shown that sea cucumber is a promising anti-inflammatory and anticancer agent. Therefore, a study to identify the active compounds contained in sea cucumber, which have the potential as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NFκB) inhibitors was conducted. NFκB plays a significant role in regulating inflammation and carcinogenesis, so the inhibition of NFκB activity by active compounds from sea cucumber hold the potential to be further investigated as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. This research was carried out in silico with various tools including molecular docking and molecular dynamics to determine the inhibitor potential of sea cucumber compounds. Small peptides and other active compounds from sea cucumbers were collected from various references, and then, using bioinformatic tools, their tertiary structures were modeled. The structure of NFκB was obtained from the Protein Data Bank. The results of this study show that small peptide WNWKL and Scabraside D may bind to the active site of the NFκB protein, similar to the binding site of caffeic acid phenethyl ester, utilized as a positive control for NFκB inhibitors. The dynamic molecular result analysis also shows that the two active compounds can form stable complexes with NFκB for up to 70 ns. These findings predict that small peptide WNWKL and Scabraside D can be NFκB inhibitors, rendering them promising candidates for further analysis as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-sea holothurian specimens were collected during five scientific expeditions (2018–2023) using the submersible vehicle ‘Shenhaiyongshi’. Our examination of specimens of Deimatidae from the South China Sea and the Mariana fore-arc area revealed three new species, which were described as Oneirophanta idsseica sp. nov., Oneirophanta brunneannulata sp. nov., and Oneirophanta lucerna sp. nov. These species were distinguished from each other and from congeners by the arrangement, and number of ventrolateral tube feet and ossicle types. We also reported Oneirophanta mutabilis mutabilis Théel, 1879 for the first time from the Mariana fore-arc area, and we recorded Deima validum validum for the second time from the South China Sea. The taxonomy of these new species and new records is discussed, and a phylogenetic analysis based on a concatenated dataset of 16S and COI genes was conducted. Additionally, the inter- and intraspecific genetic divergences we calculated among deimatid species. The results support the assignment of these new species to the genus Oneirophanta and their separation from congeners. A description of the main morphological characters of Oneirophanta species is also provided. The data were collected from geographically diverse areas and suggest that species of Deimatidae were abundant in the Pacific Ocean and occupied a wide range of depths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A challenge for evolutionary developmental (evo-devo) biology is to expand the breadth of research organisms used to investigate how animal diversity has evolved through changes in embryonic development. New experimental systems should couple a relevant phylogenetic position with available molecular tools and genomic resources. As a phylum of the sister group to chordates, echinoderms extensively contributed to our knowledge of embryonic patterning, organ development and cell-type evolution. Echinoderms display a variety of larval forms with diverse shapes, making them a suitable group to compare the evolution of embryonic developmental strategies. However, because of the laboratory accessibility and the already available techniques, most studies focus on sea urchins and sea stars mainly. As a comparative approach, the field would benefit from including information on other members of this group, like the sea cucumbers (holothuroids), for which little is known on the molecular basis of their development. Here, we review the spawning and culture methods, the available morphological and molecular information, and the current state of genomic and transcriptomic resources on sea cucumbers. With the goal of making this system accessible to the broader community, we discuss how sea cucumber embryos and larvae can be a powerful system to address the open questions in evo-devo, including understanding the origins of bilaterian structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to provide information about sea cucumber habitat characteristics that can be applied in developing sea cucumber cultivation in Central Tapanuli Regency. This research was carried out using a survey method, including substrate type and water quality parameters. The research results showed that sea cucumbers were found on sandy coral substrates, muddy sand and some in seagrass areas. Water temperatures range from 29-30 0C at Poncan Gadang Island, 28-33 0C at Unggeh Island and 30-32 0C Sitardas waters. The pH of the water at Poncan Gadang Island ranges from 7.3-7.5, at Unggeh Island it ranges from 7.4-7.6 and Sitardas waters it ranges from 7.2-7.8. Salinity at Poncan Gadang Island is 29-34 ppt, Unggeh Island is around 33-34 ppt and Sitardas waters it is around 31-32 ppt. Dissolved oxygen at Poncan Gadang Island ranges from 4-8.7 mg/l, Unggeh Island 7-8.2 mg/l and Sitardas waters 8.3-8.7 mg/l. Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that the sea cucumber habitat is still considered optimal and sea cucumber cultivation activities in the Central Tapanuli Regency area have sufficient potential to be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the problems such as lack of mechanized cleaning and cutting equipment for the initial processing of sea cucumbers in China, low efficiency, high labor intensity and poor product quality, an integrated cleaning and cutting equipment for sea cucumber is designed. The equipment is mainly composed of cleaning device, lifting and turning device, cutting device and control system. Under the control of PLC system, the cleaning device cleans the surface and internal sediment of sea cucumber by ultrasonic generator and highpressure water mist nozzle; the lifting and turning device ensures that the belly of the sea cucumber is downward through the identification camera and the screw type cutting fork mechanism; at last, the sea cucumber viscera is cut and recovered by the cutting device and the disc cutter. Through the performance test and prototype equipment operation, the results show that the optimal process parameters of the equipment are the speed of the conveyor belt of the cleaning device 0. 03 m / s and the spacing between the upper and lower rollers of the cutting device 30 mm, which can realize the integrated cleaning and cutting operation of sea cucumber. The research shows that the equipment has good stability and has significant effects on improving the processing efficiency of sea cucumber, reducing the labor burden and improving the quality of products, so it has a good application prospect [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holothuria scabra is widely used in traditional medicine or consumed as a healthy or exotic food, causing wild stocks to decrease. Therefore, aquaculture is the best solution to address this issue and support the growing market demand. However, up to now, H. scabra production is facing problems related to the nursery phase, survival rate of larvae and juveniles, production cost, and broodstock for mass production. In this study, the juveniles of H. scabra were divided into three different stocking densities and fed with 1 g of dissolved Spirulina powder once on alternate days. Their length was recorded every two weeks. After six weeks, the juveniles reared with 100 individual densities showed the highest survival rate at 80% compared to 200 and 400 stocking densities. Meanwhile, every tank showed a positive growth rate, indicating that Spirulina powder could potentially promote the growth of juvenile H. scabra. The specific growth rate for stocking density at 100, 200, and 400 were 1.2, 0.86, and 1.37%/day, respectively. In conclusion, the optimum initial stocking density is between 100 and 200 individuals for a 1-ton fibreglass tank with a 500 L water capacity. The Spirulina can be used as the main protein source as compared to other diets for juvenile H. scabra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black teatfish (Holothuria whitmaei) is a high value sea cucumber that has been listed under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix II. The Black teatfish fishery in Torres Strait, Australia, is fished solely by Indigenous Torres Strait Islanders. Black teatfish were closed to fishing in 2003, based on the results of stock surveys and concerns of overexploitation. A stock survey in 2009 found the Black teatfish population had recovered substantially but the fishery was again closed after trial openings exceeded catch limits. In line with a new harvest strategy adopted for the fishery in 2019, we conducted a stock survey in 2019–2020 that suggested the stock had recovered sufficiently to support a sustainable catch limit of 20 t. Empowering Indigenous Torres Strait Islanders to use Island custom alongside western management strategies, contributed to the success of a trial opening in 2021. The combination of a harvest strategy developed in consultation with traditional owners, a rigorous scientific survey and trial opening protocols informed by Island custom, supported the CITES positive Non‐Detriment Finding for the Torres Strait Bêche‐de‐mer Fishery. This is a significant example of the successful recovery and ongoing sustainable management of a depleted sea cucumber population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study purpose. This study aims to analyze and highlight the potential of Sea Cucumber in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation caused by exercise. Materials and methods. The study is a type of systematic review research using searches from various journal databases such as Science Direct, Pubmed and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria in this study were journals published in the last 5 years which discussed sea cucumber, oxidative stress, inflammation and exercise. Furthermore, the exclusion criteria in this research are journals that are not reputable or are not indexed by Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 1038 articles from the Science Direct, Pubmed and Web of Science databases were identified. A total of 8 articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected and analyzed for this systematic review. For standard operations, this study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) assessment. Results. The results of this systematic review research report that the strong phenolic content found in Sea Cucumber has anti-oxidant properties which may reduce oxidative stress. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of sea cucumbers have the potential to reduce uncontrolled inflammation caused by intense exercise. Conclusions. The phenolic content in sea cucumbers has strong anti-oxidant properties in reducing oxidative stress. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of sea cucumbers may reduce uncontrolled inflammation caused by exercise. In this case, sea cucumbers have an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Through this systematic review, we recommend that future studies should perform clinical trials on the potential effects of sea cucumber on oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory biomarkers after exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea cucumbers have an extraordinary regenerative capability. Under stressful conditions, Holothuria glaberrima can eviscerate their internal organs, including the digestive tract. From the mesentery, a rudiment grows and gives rise to a new intestine within a few weeks. In the last decades, the cellular events that occur during intestinal regeneration have been characterized, including apoptosis, cell proliferation, and muscle cell dedifferentiation. Nevertheless, their contribution to the formation and early growth of the rudiment is still unknown. Furthermore, these cellular events' relationship and potential interdependence remain a mystery. Using modulators to inhibit apoptosis and cell proliferation, we tested whether rudiment growth or other regenerative cellular events like muscle cell dedifferentiation were affected. We found that inhibition of apoptosis by zVAD and cell proliferation by aphidicolin and mitomycin did not affect the overall size of the rudiment seven days post-evisceration (7-dpe). Interestingly, animals treated with aphidicolin showed higher levels of muscle cell dedifferentiation in the distal mesentery, which could act as a compensatory mechanism. On the other hand, inhibition of apoptosis led to a decrease in cell proliferation in the rudiment and a delay in the spatiotemporal progression of muscle cell dedifferentiation throughout the rudiment-mesentery structure. Our findings suggest that neither apoptosis nor cell proliferation significantly contributes to early rudiment growth during intestinal regeneration in the sea cucumber. Nevertheless, apoptosis may play an essential role in modulating cell proliferation in the rudiment (a process known as apoptosis-induced proliferation) and the timing for the progression of muscle cell dedifferentiation. These findings provide new insights into the role and relationship of cellular events during intestinal regeneration in an emerging regeneration model. [Display omitted] • Neither apoptosis nor cell proliferation play a critical role in rudiment formation. • Apoptosis-induced proliferation occurs during holothurian intestinal regeneration. • Apoptosis regulates the spatiotemporal progression of muscle cell dedifferentiation. • Muscle cell dedifferentiation acts as a compensatory mechanism during regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]