ALBERT

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉The present investigation aimed to utilize plant growth–promoting diazotrophic cyanobacteria as an option to raise the chrysanthemum varieties 〈em〉Pusa Aditya〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Jaya〈/em〉 in a nursery by co-culturing hydroponically. Fresh stem cuttings of chrysanthemum were planted in BG 11 medium (−N) which was inoculated to log-phase cultures of 〈em〉Anabaena torulosa〈/em〉 (BF1), 〈em〉Anabaena doliolum〈/em〉 (BF4), and 〈em〉Anabaena laxa〈/em〉 (RPAN8) individually. Analyses of chrysanthemum growth and biometric/biochemical parameters after 30 days of co-cultivation revealed that co-culturing treatments performed significantly better, as compared with BG11 medium alone. 〈em〉Anabaena laxa〈/em〉 brought about an increment of 27–40% in IAA production in the root tissues of both varieties grown in hydroponics〈em〉.〈/em〉 Quantification of biofilm formation on roots (measured as OD〈sub〉550〈/sub〉) illustrated a two- to four-fold increment in the co-culture treatments. PEP carboxylase activity was significantly enhanced in root and shoot tissues of cuttings in 〈em〉Jaya〈/em〉, and the medium chlorophyll enhanced by several folds in both varieties. Significant increases in root dry biomass were recorded, which positively correlated with root protein (〈em〉r〈/em〉 = 0.992) in 〈em〉Pusa Aditya〈/em〉, illustrating the superiority of co-culturing as a promising option for nursery propagation. The economic benefits of BG 11 medium (without combined N) as a novel growth medium for growing the cyanobacterium and raising chrysanthemum nursery, in co-culturing mode, were also highlighted. 〈em〉Anabaena torulosa〈/em〉 (BF1) performed well in both 〈em〉Pusa Aditya〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Jaya〈/em〉, while 〈em〉Anabaena laxa〈/em〉 (RPAN8) was significantly superior in 〈em〉Jaya〈/em〉. Future research is focused towards integration of such novel and cheap organic inputs in maintaining disease-free and nutrient-enriched plants in long-term experiments up to flowering stage.〈/p〉 〈p〉 〈span〉 〈caption〉 〈strong〉Graphical abstract〈/strong〉 〈em〉 〈div〉National PhytotronFacility PusaAditya.〈/div〉 〈/em〉 〈/caption〉 〈span〉 〈img alt="" src="https://static-content.springer.com/image/MediaObjects/10811_2019_1830_Figa_HTML.png"〉 〈/span〉 〈/span〉 〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉Associated and algicidal bacteria play roles in the succession and decline of phytoplankton blooms, including those of harmful algal bloom (HAB)-forming species. Limited studies on HAB-associated bacterial ecology have resulted in our incomplete understanding of HABs dynamics. Diverse phytoplankton-bacterial interactions have also led to studies on their potential as biocontrol tools for HABs mitigation. Here, we tested 48 cultivable pelagic bacteria from three HAB-affected areas in the Philippines (Bolinao, Sorsogon, and Matarinao) against non-axenic cultures of the toxic, thecate dinoflagellate 〈em〉Pyrodinium bahamense〈/em〉. Co-incubation with live cultures of these isolates exhibited varying levels of algicidal activities suggesting that it may not be a phylogenetically conserved property. Furthermore, majority of the isolates elicited activity against the thecate test species 〈em〉P. bahamense〈/em〉, which was not present in the area where the bacteria were isolated, implying non-specificity of action. Exposure to bacterial cells resulted in 〈em〉Pyrodinium〈/em〉 pellicle cyst formation. Despite this, however, cell lysis and decline in total cell abundance were still observed, indicating strong algicidal potency of the isolates. In depth understanding of the interplay between environmental factors and algicidal bacteria-microalgal interactions may provide significant insights on the management of HABs.〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉Seaweeds are potentially a valuable resource for the food, drink and pharmaceutical sectors. The effective utilization of seaweed usually requires post-harvest dehydration in order to prevent decomposition, increase shelf life and aid the extraction of certain chemical constituents. Drying is an expensive, time-consuming and energy-intensive process. Here, the presence of a range of nutritionally important compounds was studied in five brown seaweeds (〈em〉Fucus spiralis〈/em〉, 〈em〉Laminaria digitata〈/em〉, 〈em〉Fucus serratus〈/em〉, 〈em〉Halidrys siliquosa〈/em〉, 〈em〉Pelvetia canaliculata〈/em〉) after oven-drying at 40 and 60 °C, freeze-drying and microwave-drying at 385, 540 and 700 W. Antioxidant potential (total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity and radical scavenging activity), soluble protein, lipid, amino acid and fatty acid profiles were determined in each case. Overall, results showed that low-temperature drying, such as freeze-drying and oven-drying at 40 °C, produced products with higher concentrations of nutritionally important chemicals, as well as stronger antioxidant activities. Results suggest that concentrations of nutritionally important chemicals and antioxidant activity are influenced by both the drying treatment and seaweed species used. Where rapid drying techniques are found to be beneficial to levels of specific chemicals, microwave-drying could be a useful alternative to oven-drying, as it helps overcome issues associated with prolonged duration drying (contamination and oxidation). No single drying procedure could be identified as consistently superior for all species or all compounds of interest—indicating that the appropriate drying technique should be selected and optimized for each seaweed species whilst also taking into account potential end-use of the final product.〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉To investigate the release and degradation of arsenolipids present in the marine brown macroalga 〈em〉Ecklonia radiata〈/em〉, tissues were collected in various stages of decomposition from intertidal environments, while tissues were also decomposed in laboratory-based microcosms prepared using combinations of autoclaved and natural (non-autoclaved) seawater and sand. Field collected macroalgae samples contained 20–120 μg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 total As of which 1–10% were arsenolipids comprising mainly an arsenic hydrocarbon (AsHC; 3–13% of total arsenolipids) and four di-acyl arsenic phospholipids (AsPLs; 86–95%). Additionally, a mono-acyl AsPL was found in all water-column decomposing samples. Arsenolipid concentrations in live tissues were similar to those in tissues decomposing in the water-column (1.3–2.9 μg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 dry mass), which were both up to four times higher than those in decomposing tissues collected from intertidal environments (0.7–1.3 μg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 dry mass). In the microcosm experiments, the arsenolipid content of 〈em〉E. radiata〈/em〉 decreased substantially as decomposition proceeded. In the majority of microcosms, more than 75% of the arsenolipids present initially disappeared within 5 days with only the AsHC persisting until day 60 (the length of the experiment). This study demonstrates that the habitat in which decomposition occurs influences the release and degradation of arsenolipids with the greatest losses occurring when tissues decompose in intertidal environments. Microbial diversity, biomass, and overall activity are thus likely to play important roles in the persistence of arsenolipids in decomposing algae.〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈em〉Botryococcus braunii〈/em〉 CCALA778 is a green microalga that can produce large amounts of extracellular carbohydrates and therefore is a potential host for industrial applications such as materials, food and pharmaceutical products. The downside of 〈em〉B. braunii〈/em〉 is its slow growth and therefore, improvements on the biomass productivity or carbohydrate production will make this microalga more attractive for industrial exploitation. Microalgae grow naturally in the presence of bacteria and these can be beneficial or antagonistic. In outdoor cultivation systems, contamination by bacteria is common. The role or effects of bacteria present in 〈em〉B. braunii〈/em〉 CCALA778 are not yet fully elucidated. We used UV-C treatment to reduce bacterial abundance in 〈em〉B. braunii〈/em〉 CCALA778 cultures and 16S rRNA gene amplicon MiSeq sequencing for bacterial community analysis. The effect of the reduced amount of bacteria on biomass growth and production of extracellular carbohydrates was analysed. It is shown that UV-C treatment can reduce the bacterial population substantially without harming 〈em〉B. braunii〈/em〉. Bacteria removed by UV-C were antagonistic to 〈em〉B. braunii〈/em〉 CCALA778 as in their absence production of biomass and extracellular carbohydrates was enhanced significantly. CCALA778 treated with UV-C accumulated 826 ± 61 mg L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 of extracellular carbohydrates by day 15 compared with 422 ± 135 mg L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 accumulated extracellular carbohydrates in the untreated culture.〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉This study evaluated the physico-biochemical and microbial characteristics of broiler chicken meat after dietary supplementation of 〈em〉Kappaphycus alvarezii〈/em〉 (AF-KWP). Day-old chicks (280) were randomly distributed into 35 groups with 8 chicks in each group (7 dietary treatments × 5 replicates). Seven experimental diets were formulated by adding 0 (control, T〈sub〉1〈/sub〉), 0.25 AF-KWP (T〈sub〉2〈/sub〉), 0.50 AF-KWP (T〈sub〉3〈/sub〉), 0.75 AF-KWP (T〈sub〉4〈/sub〉), 1.00 AF-KWP (T〈sub〉5〈/sub〉), 1.25 AF-KWP (T〈sub〉6〈/sub〉) and 1.50 AF-KWP (T〈sub〉7〈/sub〉), respectively. No significant differences (〈em〉P〈/em〉 〉 0.05) were recorded in pH and drip loss (%) among the control and dietary-treated groups. Water holding capacity (WHC), cholesterol, fat, and extract release volume (ERV) found significantly (〈em〉P〈/em〉 〈 0.05) improved in 1.50 or 1.25% AF-KWP–supplemented groups (T〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 and T〈sub〉6〈/sub〉) compared with control (T〈sub〉1〈/sub〉), T〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 (0.25% AF-KWP) and T〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 (0.50% AF-KWP) groups. Antioxidant parameters, i.e., 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+) and 2,2-diphynyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), of meat significantly increased (〈em〉P〈/em〉 〈 0.05) in 1.50 or 1.25% AF-KWP dietary–supplemented groups (T〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 or T〈sub〉6〈/sub〉) compared with control and other dietary-treated groups (T〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, T〈sub〉3〈/sub〉, and T〈sub〉4〈/sub〉). No significant differences (〈em〉P〈/em〉 〉 0.05) were observed in free fatty acid and peroxide values among the control and dietary AF-KWP–supplemented groups, whereas 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) activity of meat improved (〈em〉P〈/em〉 〈 0.05) in 1.50 or 1.25% AF-KWP–supplemented groups (T〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 or T〈sub〉6〈/sub〉). Microbial loads in terms of standard plate count (SPC), coliforms, and 〈em〉Staphylococcus〈/em〉 were significantly reduced (〈em〉P〈/em〉 〈 0.05) in 1.50 or 1.25% AF-KWP (T〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 or T〈sub〉6〈/sub〉)–supplemented groups compared with control (T〈sub〉1〈/sub〉) group. From the above, it may be concluded that 〈em〉K. alvarezii〈/em〉 (AF-KWP) can be incorporated at 1.25 or 1.50% level in broiler diet for improved physico-biochemical characteristics, lipid oxidation, antioxidant activities, and reduction of microbial counts in broiler chicken meat.〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉The extensive variation in the biochemical composition of algal species is used as a source of potential bioactive compounds for applications in the agri-food industry and in the field of functional foods. Among these species, 〈em〉Porphyra/Pyropia〈/em〉 spp. (nori, laver) are red sea vegetables which provide the foundation for a billion-dollar industry. In this study, we determine the growth and biochemical composition of distinct reproductive traits (females vs. males) in 〈em〉Porphyra dioica.〈/em〉 In order to characterize and enhance through cultivation the bioactive profiles and biochemical composition of this sea vegetable, we determined the effects of environmental parameters (light and nutrients) on the growth of different life history traits (females vs. males) in cultured and field samples of 〈em〉P. dioica〈/em〉. In field-collected samples, females contained higher contents of phycoerythrin (9.71 ± 3.13 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 DW), PUFA (omega-3 fatty acids, 12.25 ± 0.78 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 DW; eicosapentaenoic acid, 11.54 ± 0.92 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 DW) and total fatty acids (TFA) (31.58 ± 2.5 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 DW) than males. The total nitrogen (TN) content was similar in both traits in the field, but the protein nitrogen (PN) was higher in males from field collections (42.80 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 DW). In culture, males and females responded differently to applied environmental factors, with an increase of some omega-6 fatty acids (e.g. 20:4 n-6 with an increase of 4.98 %TFA, 0.1 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 DW) in females and omega-7,9 fatty acids in males (increase of 13.75 %TFA, 0.79 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 DW in omega-7 and 1.59 %TFA in omega-9) associated with exposure to adverse conditions (N starvation under low light intensity). We discuss the possibility of using 〈em〉P. dioica〈/em〉 as a promising source of functional new food products such as enriched nori in bioactive compounds such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉In the present study, karyological observations on 〈em〉Pyropia suborbiculata〈/em〉 (Bangiophycidae) at various stages of the life cycle were carried out. Living material of different life cycle stages of 〈em〉Py. suborbiculata〈/em〉 were fixed in Carnoy’s fixative fluid and stored under the light conditions of 60–80 μmol photons m〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 to leach phycobilin pigments and then the samples were stained with Wittmann’s aceto-iron hematoxylin chloral hydrate and examined under a photomicroscope. The results indicated that vegetative cells, spermatangia, and carpogonia in gametophytic blade phase were haploids (〈em〉n〈/em〉 = 3), while zygotospores, vegetative cells, and conchosporangial branch cells in conchocelis phase were diploids (2n = 6). Meiosis occurred during the initial two-cell divisions of the germinating conchospores. Subsequently, the chromosome changed from diploid (2n = 6) to haploid (〈em〉n〈/em〉 = 3). When the blades released monospores for asexual reproduction, both the monospores and the cells of their germlings were haploid karyotypes (〈em〉n〈/em〉 = 3). In addition, when filamentous conchocelis cells at different developmental stages underwent mitosis, pairing of homologous chromosomes would occur in the nucleus during the prophase of division.〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉Fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid with biological activities including anti-obesity activity, is generally produced from macroalgae, but several microalgae have been suggested as new sources. A standardized fucoxanthin extract was recently developed from the diatom 〈em〉Phaeodactylum tricornutum〈/em〉. Here, we illustrate that a marine bacterium, 〈em〉Stappia〈/em〉 sp. K01, isolated from xenic cultures of 〈em〉P. tricornutum〈/em〉, improves growth (72%) and pigment biosynthesis (172% fucoxanthin and 144% chlorophylls, respectively) of 〈em〉P. tricornutum〈/em〉 by co-culture. In addition, six major extracellular fatty acids (FAs) including C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C16:1, C18:1, and C20:5 secreted by 〈em〉P. tricornutum〈/em〉 play an important role in this effect of 〈em〉Stappia〈/em〉 sp. K01. These FAs were secreted from 〈em〉P. tricornutum〈/em〉 in a range of 0.1~4.9 μg L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 and each maximum concentration in the culture medium was decreased to 25~83% by 〈em〉Stappia〈/em〉 sp. K01 inoculation. In the treatment of a mixed FA solution with their maximum concentrations to 〈em〉P. tricornutum〈/em〉 culture, these FAs showed 30% growth inhibition of 〈em〉P. tricornutum〈/em〉 and this effect was removed by 〈em〉Stappia〈/em〉 sp. K01 inoculation. Each FA was utilized as a nutrient for 〈em〉Stappia〈/em〉 sp. K01 in M9 minimum medium. Several growth regulation-related genes in 〈em〉P. tricornutum〈/em〉 were downregulated by FA treatment and upregulated by co-culturing with 〈em〉Stappia〈/em〉 sp. K01. These results indicate that 〈em〉Stappia〈/em〉 sp. K01 can be used as an inducer to promote biomass production and fucoxanthin biosynthesis in 〈em〉P. tricornutum〈/em〉.〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉This study evaluated the effect of bottom sediment on the accumulation of nutritional composition in 〈em〉Caulerpa lentillifera〈/em〉 (sea grapes) in Beibu Gulf, Guangxi, China. The proteins, amino acids, lipids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and minerals as well as the monosaccharide composition of the polysaccharides in sea grape samples grown with and without bottom sediment (S1 and S2, respectively) were analyzed and compared. Calculated by dry weight, the results showed that the ash contents in S1 and S2 were 55.20% and 41.21%, the protein contents were 14.08% and 13.91%, the lipid contents were 0.78% and 0.82%, the total carbohydrate contents were 21.32% and 34.99%, and the water-soluble polysaccharide contents were 2.45% and 3.38%, respectively. The presence of bottom sediment increased the content of ash, mineral elements, and heavy metals in sea grapes; decreased the content of carbohydrates and polyunsaturated fatty acids; and had no significant effect on the content of proteins, lipids, saturated fatty acids, and monounsaturated fatty acids. Bottom sediment also had no effect on the monosaccharide composition of the sea grape polysaccharides. These results provide an additional research concept for selectively promoting the accumulation of functional nutrients of sea grapes by regulating the bottom sediment composition and offer a scientific basis for the further development and utilization of sea grapes as a functional food resource.〈/p〉