ALBERT

Description:    To investigate the nutritional value of the diatom Cyclotella cryptica Reimann, Lewin, and Guillard as an alternative feed for the use in the aquaculture industry, the heterotrophic growth characteristics, total fatty acids, and the resultant fatty acid profile of the microalga were studied when cultivated with sodium nitrate, ammonium chloride, or urea. All three nitrogen sources supported growth under heterotrophic conditions, and their uptake affected the pH of the cultivation medium, even when buffered. The use of sodium nitrate or urea resulted in a significant increase in the pH of the cultivation media, whereas the use of ammonium chloride caused a minor decrease in the pH of the cultivation media. The maximum specific growth rate was highest when urea and ammonium chloride were supplied at a low concentration; however, the total fatty acid content was not significantly affected ( P  = 0.101) by the nitrogen source when supplied at 10.7 mM nitrogen. The total fatty acid content and fatty acid profile of C. cryptica was more affected by the growth phase (predominately influenced by the initial nitrogen concentration) than by the source of nitrogen. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9680-5 Authors Stephen L. Pahl, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia David M. Lewis, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia Keith D. King, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia Feng Chen, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Apical necrosis is a widely distributed disease in the culture of the marine agar-producing alga, Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis . In this study, 16 strains of epiphytic bacteria were isolated from the tip bleaching parts of G. lemaneiformis ; of the 16 strains, two strains could induce healthy algal tips to become necrotic. They were identified as Thalassospira sp. and Vibrio parahaemolyticus by 16S rDNA sequence analysis and biochemical characterization. Using solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, the variation of volatile metabolites of G. lemaneiformis infected by these two strains of pathogenic bacteria was analyzed. The results showed that E-2-nonenal and 1-octen-3-one differed very significantly ( P  〈 0.01) between the Thalassospira infected group and the control group, while trichloromethane, 3-methyl butanal, benzaldehyde, and E-2-decenal differed significantly ( P  〈 0.05). The difference of 1-octen-3-one, benzaldehyde, and E-2-nonenal between the V. parahaemolyticus infected group and the control group was very significant ( P  〈 0.01), while 3-methyl butanal and octanal were significantly different ( P  〈 0.05). In conclusion, 1-octen-3-one, E-2-nonenal, and benzaldehyde might be the characteristic metabolites for the pathogenic infection and could be used as biomarkers for the disease prevention of G. lemaneiformis . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9677-0 Authors Xue Sun, Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Minister of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211 People’s Republic of China Yanli He, Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Minister of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211 People’s Republic of China Nianjun Xu, Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Minister of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211 People’s Republic of China Yumei Xia, Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biotechnology of Minister of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211 People’s Republic of China Zhiming Liu, Department of Biology, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM 88130, USA Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Dunaliella acidophila is one of the most extreme acidophiles on earth and is able to survive in highly acidic habitats. This characteristic has made this organism the universal model for the study of abiotic stress. Although D. acidophila is currently circumscribed to the subgenus Pascheria within Dunaliella Teodoresco (Chlorophyceae), its taxonomic position has stirred controversy. The comparison of D. acidophila CCAP19/35 internal transcribed spacers (including ITS2 secondary structure analysis) and RuBisCo large subunit ( rbcL ) sequences with other Dunaliella species confirms that D. acidophila should maintain its phylogenetic position within the genus Dunaliella , suggesting its inclusion within the subgenus Dunaliella . Furthermore, the ITS1 and ITS2 data revealed that D. acidophila was highly divergent from the other freshwater species assessed, D. lateralis , with which it barely shares a 56.8% similarity. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9676-1 Authors Patrícia Assunção, Departamento de Biotecnología, División de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC), Pozo Izquierdo, 35119 Sta. Lucía, Canary Islands, Spain Ruth Jaén-Molina, Departamento de Biodiversidad Molecular y Banco de ADN de la Flora Canaria, Jardín Botánico Canario “Viera y Clavijo”–Unidad Asociada CSIC, Apartado de correos 14, de Tafira Alta, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain Juli Caujapé-Castells, Departamento de Biodiversidad Molecular y Banco de ADN de la Flora Canaria, Jardín Botánico Canario “Viera y Clavijo”–Unidad Asociada CSIC, Apartado de correos 14, de Tafira Alta, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain Adelina de la Jara, Departamento de Biotecnología, División de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC), Pozo Izquierdo, 35119 Sta. Lucía, Canary Islands, Spain Laura Carmona, Departamento de Biotecnología, División de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC), Pozo Izquierdo, 35119 Sta. Lucía, Canary Islands, Spain Karen Freijanes, Departamento de Biotecnología, División de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC), Pozo Izquierdo, 35119 Sta. Lucía, Canary Islands, Spain Héctor Mendoza, Departamento de Biotecnología, División de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC), Pozo Izquierdo, 35119 Sta. Lucía, Canary Islands, Spain Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The interest in the extraction of polyphenolic compounds from plant materials is focused on upgrading of the large amount of by-products coming from food or cosmetics industries from which the press residues have particularly high contents of phenolics. In this study, for value-added use of the brown seaweed Ecklonia cava processing by-product (ECPB), which can be obtained after polyphenolic extraction of E. cava , it was fermented by the yeast Candida utilis and its antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, and alkyl radical scavenging using electron spin resonance spectrometer. ECPB was fermented for 1~4 days prior to being extracted with 80% ethanol, and significant differences were observed in extraction yields, total phenolic contents (TPC), and radical scavenging activities with the fermentation time. Extract from the ECPB fermented for 1 day exhibited the highest TPC and also found to be the strongest antioxidant. The 1-day fermented ECPB strongly enhanced cell viability against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage in Vero cell line. This sample also exhibited good protective properties against H 2 O 2 -induced cell apoptosis as was demonstrated by a decreased quantity of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells and decreased apoptotic body formation in the flow cytometry analysis. This study demonstrated that the fermentation elevated functionally important polyphenolic contents of ECPB and resultant antioxidant activities were enhanced. Therefore, the fermentation could offer a tool to further increase the bioactive potential of ECPB. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9668-1 Authors W. A. J. P. Wijesinghe, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Lee Won-Woo, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Kim Young-Mog, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Kim Young-Tae, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Kim Se-Kwon, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Jeon Byong-Tae, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Kim Jin-Soo, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Heu Min-Soo, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Jung Won-Kyo, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Ginnae Ahn, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Ki-Wan Lee, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea You-Jin Jeon, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    In this study, a metabolic network describing the primary metabolism of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was constructed. By performing chemostat experiments at different growth rates, energy parameters for maintenance and biomass formation were determined. The chemostats were run at low irradiances resulting in a high biomass yield on light of 1.25 g  mol −1 . The ATP requirement for biomass formation from biopolymers ( K x ) was determined to be 109 mmol g −1 (18.9 mol mol −1 ) and the maintenance requirement ( m ATP ) was determined to be 2.85 mmol g −1  h −1 . With these energy requirements included in the metabolic network, the network accurately describes the primary metabolism of C. reinhardtii and can be used for modeling of C. reinhardtii growth and metabolism. Simulations confirmed that cultivating microalgae at low growth rates is unfavorable because of the high maintenance requirements which result in low biomass yields. At high light supply rates, biomass yields will decrease due to light saturation effects. Thus, to optimize biomass yield on light energy in photobioreactors, an optimum between low and high light supply rates should be found. These simulations show that metabolic flux analysis can be used as a tool to gain insight into the metabolism of algae and ultimately can be used for the maximization of algal biomass and product yield. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9674-3 Authors Anna M. J. Kliphuis, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands Anne J. Klok, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands Dirk E. Martens, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands Packo P. Lamers, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands Marcel Janssen, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands René H. Wijffels, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Proteomic profiling on Ecklonia cava Kjellman grown under various seawater temperatures was conducted to search for biomarkers that were useful to evaluate the health of the colonies and formulate actions for the maintenance of marine forests. In the cultivated strains, protein expression was not significantly changed when the cultivation temperature was lowered from 15°C (control) to 10°C. On the contrary, it was markedly changed, i.e., photosynthesis-related proteins were up-regulated and metabolic enzymes were down-regulated, when the temperature was heightened to 20°C. With the cultivation at 30°C, 25 spots within 27 spots expressed at this temperature peculiarly could be identified and classified into ten proteins. Of the distinctive 27 spots at 30°C, 20 spots were detected in the wild strains cultured at the same temperature for a brief time. It is presumed that the proteins including vanadium-dependent bromoperoxidase are heat stress-induced proteins. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9664-5 Authors Norishige Yotsukura, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0809, Japan Kouhei Nagai, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8514, Japan Toshimitsu Tanaka, Fisheries Experimental Station, Wakayama Prefecture, Kushimoto, Wakayama 649-3503, Japan Hajime Kimura, Fisheries Experimental Station, Wakayama Prefecture, Kushimoto, Wakayama 649-3503, Japan Kouichi Morimoto, Department of Biotechnological Science, Kinki University, Kinokawa, Wakayama 649-6493, Japan Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description: Concerns over the reporting of inconsistent data on fatty acid composition for microalgae of the genus Nannochloropsis (Eustigmatophyceae) Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-2 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9659-2 Authors Inna Khozin-Goldberg, Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, French Associates Institute of Agriculture and Biotechnology, J. Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, 84990 Israel Sammy Boussiba, Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, French Associates Institute of Agriculture and Biotechnology, J. Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, 84990 Israel Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Two 60-day experiments were conducted to study the influence of photon flux density (PFD) and temperature on the attachment and development of Gloiopeltis tenax and Gloiopeltis furcata tetraspores. In the first experiment, tetraspores of the two Gloiopeltis species were incubated at five temperature ranges (8°C, 12°C, 16°C, 20°C, 24°C) under a constant PFD of 80 μmol photons m −2  s −1 with a photoperiod of 12:12. In a second experiment, tetraspores were incubated under five PFD gradients (30, 55, 80, 105, 130 μmol photons m −2  s −1 ) at a constant temperature of 16°C with a photoperiod of 12:12. Maximum density of attached tetraspores was observed at 16°C for both species. Maximum per cent of spore germinating into disc was recorded at 12–16°C for G. tenax and 8–12°C for G. furcata . Maximum per cent of discs producing erect axes for G. tenax and G. furcata were recorded at 24°C and 20°C, respectively. Light had no significant effect on tetraspore attachment and developing into disc, but it affected the growth, sprouting and survival of its discs. Under 30–55 μmol photons m −2  s −1 , the discs of the two species of Gloiopeltis did not form thallus until the end of the experiment. Optimum PFD range for G. tenax discs was 80–105 μmol photons m −2  s −1 , whilst it was 80–130 μmol photons m −2  s −1 for G. furcata . Results presented in this study are expected to assist the progress of artificial seeding of Gloiopeltis . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9638-z Authors Suwen Chen, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510300 China Jinfeng Wu, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510300 China Lixiong Chen, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510300 China Changbo Zhu, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510300 China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    During the summer of 2008 and 2009, massive algal blooms repeatedly broke out in the Yellow Sea of China. These were undoubtedly caused by the accumulations of one or more species in the macroalgal genus Ulva . In previous reports, morphological observation indicated that the species involved in this phenomenon is Ulva prolifera but molecular analyses indicated that the species belongs to an Ulva linza–procera–prolifera (LPP) clade. Correct identification of the bloom species is required to understand and manage the blooms, but the taxonomic status of the bloom species remains unclear. In the current study, the taxonomic status of 22 selected specimens from the Yellow Sea was assessed by using both morphological and molecular (ITS and rbcL sequences) data. In addition, 5S rDNA analyses were performed for those samples clustering in the LPP clade, and phylogenetic tree and ribotype analyses were constructed for determining the possible origin of the bloom. Three free-floating and two attached Ulva species were distinguished and described: Ulva compressa Linnaeus and Ulva pertusa Kjellman were found in free-floating samples; U. linza Linnaeus was found on rocks; and U. prolifera O.F. Müller was found in both habitats. Diversity in free-floating Ulva of the Yellow Sea appears to be greater than previously thought. The dominant free-floating Ulva species, U. prolifera , was not closely related to local populations attached to rocks but was closely related to populations from Japan. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9654-7 Authors Weijun Duan, Ningbo Entry–Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, No. 9, Mayuan Road, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315012, People’s Republic of China Lixin Guo, Ningbo Entry–Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, No. 9, Mayuan Road, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315012, People’s Republic of China Dong Sun, Xuzhou Normal University, No. 29, Shanghai Road, Tongshan New Borough, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province 221116, People’s Republic of China Shuifang Zhu, Institute of Animal and Plant Quarantine, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, No. 241, Huixin West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100121 People’s Republic of China Xianfeng Chen, Ningbo Entry–Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, No. 9, Mayuan Road, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315012, People’s Republic of China Wenrong Zhu, Xiangshan Xuwen Seaweed Development Co., Ltd., No. 150, Ningzhou Road, Jiangdong District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315040, People’s Republic of China Tao Xu, Institute of Animal and Plant Quarantine, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, No. 241, Huixin West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100121 People’s Republic of China Changfa Chen, Qingdao Entry–Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, No.2, Zhongshan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, Shangdong Province 266001, People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Species of Gracilaria are some of the most useful algae in the world for the production of agar. As a consequence of its economic importance, the genus has been the subject of many studies worldwide. Color variants of Gracilaria birdiae have been found in the natural population on the Brazilian coast, and they have also been isolated from plants cultivated in laboratory. These findings raised new questions regarding intraspecific variation and the prospects of cultivating such variants for their agar production. Therefore, this work aimed to determine the mode of color inheritance for two G. birdiae strains: a greenish-brown strain (gb) found in a natural population and a green strain (gr) which had arisen as a spontaneous mutation in a red plant cultured in the laboratory. The pigment contents of these strains, as well as the red wild-type (rd), were also characterized. Crosses between female and male plants of the same color (rd, gr, or gb) and between different colors were performed. Crosses between plants of the same color showed tetrasporophytic and gametophytic descendents of the parental color. Recessive nuclear inheritance was found in the greenish-brown strain, and cytoplasmic maternal inheritance was found in the green strain; both had lower phycoerythrin and higher concentrations of allophycocyanin and phycocyanin than the wild-type. Chlorophyll a contents were similar among all strains. Taken together, our results contribute to knowledge about the variability of this important red algae. In addition, since greenish-brown and green strains showed stability of color, both could be selected and tested in experimental sea cultivation to evaluate if mutants have advantageous performance when compared with red strain. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9642-3 Authors Viviane L. Costa, Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, Cidade Universitária, 05508-090 São Paulo, SP Brazil Estela M. Plastino, Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, Cidade Universitária, 05508-090 São Paulo, SP Brazil Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Restriction site amplified polymorphism (RSAP) is a molecular marker technique which just requires a simple polymerase chain reaction to amplify fragments around restriction sites. The RSAP analytic system was set up and applied to Porphyra genetic variation analysis in this study for the first time. Fourteen Porphyra lines were screened by the RSAP analytic system with 30 primer combinations, 12 of which produced stable and reproducible amplification patterns in three repeated experiments. The 12 primer combinations produced 408 amplified fragments, 402 of which (98.53%) were polymorphic, with an average of 33.5 polymorphic fragments for each primer combination, ranging in size from 50 to 500 bp. The 408 fragments were scored one by one and then used to develop a dendrogram of the 14 Porphyra lines with unweighted pair-group method arithmetic average. The genetic distance among these Porphyra lines ranged from 0.10 to 0.50. These Porphyra lines were divided into two major groups at the 0.71 similarity level: one group contained only Porphyra haitanensis lines and the other group contained Porphyra yezoensis lines. In addition, some specific RSAP markers were acquired from each Porphyra line apart from P. yezoensis Yqd-2-1, and five of them were sequenced. One of the specific markers, R1/R3-8 119 from P. yezoensis Y-9101, was successfully converted into sequence characterized amplification region marker. The result suggested that TRAP was a simple, stable, polymorphic, and reproducible molecular marker technique for the classification and resource protection of Porphyra lines. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9646-z Authors Lixian Qiao, College of Life Science, Qingdao Agriculture University, Qingdao, 266109 People’s Republic of China Baotai Guo, College of Life Science, Qingdao Agriculture University, Qingdao, 266109 People’s Republic of China Jingshan Wang, College of Life Science, Qingdao Agriculture University, Qingdao, 266109 People’s Republic of China Bin Wang, Institute of Genetics & Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Intracellular bioconversion of auric ion (Au 3+ ) to gold nanorod (Au 0 ) by the cyanobacterium Nostoc ellipsosporum has been observed for the first time in laboratory condition. The nanorods were produced within the cell after exposing the healthy growing filaments to 15 mg L −1 gold (III) solution (pH 4.5) for 48 h at 20°C. The gold nanoparticles were extracted with sodium citrate solution and were subjected to UV–Visible spectroscopy. The characteristic surface-multiple plasmon bands at 560, 610, and 670 nm were observed. The nature and size of the particles were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and zeta potential studies. The nanorod size ranged from 137 to 209 nm in length and 33 to 69 nm in diameter. DLS study revealed the average hydrodynamic size as 435 nm and XRD study indicated the reduction of Au 3+ to Au 0 . Methods of extraction and preservation of gold nanorod particles have also been studied. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9645-0 Authors Dipannita Parial, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019 West Bengal India Hirak K. Patra, Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019 West Bengal India Piya Roychoudhury, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019 West Bengal India Anjan Kr. Dasgupta, Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019 West Bengal India Ruma Pal, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019 West Bengal India Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The freshwater microalga Chlorella vulgaris was grown heterotrophically in fed-batch 50–600-L fermenters at 36°C, on aerated and mixed nutrient solution with urea as a nitrogen and glucose as a carbon and energy source. Cell density increased from the initial value 6.25 to 117.18 g DW L −1 in 32 h in the fermenter 50 L at a mean growth rate 3.52 g DW L −1  h −1 . The DW increase in the fermenter 200 L was from 7.25 to 94.82 g DW L −1 in 26.5 h at a mean growth rate 3.37 g DW L −1  h −1 . Mean specific growth rate μ was about 0.1 h −1 in the both fermenters, if nutrients and oxygen were adequately supplied. The DW increase in the fermenter 600 L was from 0.8 to 81.6 g DW L −1 in 66.5 h at a mean growth rate 1.22 g DW L −1  h −1 and μ  = 0.07 h −1 . A limitation of the cell growth rate in 600 L fermenter caused by a low dissolved oxygen concentration above cell densities higher than 10 g DW L −1 ) occurred. Specific growth rate decreased approximately linearly with increasing glucose concentration (25–80 g glucose L −1 ) at the beginning of cultivation and decreased with the time of cultivation. The cell yield was 0.55–0.69 g DW (g glucose) −1 . The content of proteins, β-carotene, and chlorophylls in the cells steadily increased and starch content decreased, by keeping aerated and mixed culture another 12 h in fermenter after the cell growth was stopped due to glucose deficiency. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9643-2 Authors Jiři Doucha, Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, Division of Autotrophic Microorganisms, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic K. Lívanský, Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, Division of Autotrophic Microorganisms, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    A total of 3,631 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were established from two size-selected cDNA libraries made from the tetrasporophytic phase of the agarophytic red alga Gracilaria tenuistipitata . The average sizes of the inserts in the two libraries were 1,600 bp and 600 bp, with an average length of the edited sequences of 850 bp. Clustering gave 2,387 assembled sequences with a redundancy of 53%. Of the ESTs, 65% had significant matches to sequences deposited in public databases, 11% to proteins without known function, and 35% were novel. The most represented ESTs were a Na/K-transporting ATPase, a hedgehog-like protein, a glycine dehydrogenase and an actin. Most of the identified genes were involved in primary metabolism and housekeeping. The largest functional group was thus genes involved in metabolism with 14% of the ESTs; other large functional categories included energy, transcription, and protein synthesis and destination. The codon usage was examined using a subset of the data, and the codon bias was found to be limited with all codon combinations used. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9681-4 Authors Pi Nyvall Collén, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Jonas Collén, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Marcelo da Silva Reis, Departement of mathematics and statistics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Marianne Pedersén, Department of Botany, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden João C. Setubal, Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA Alessandro M. Varani, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Pio Colepicolo, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Mariana C. Oliveira, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    A large number of microorganisms including various microalgal strains are able to convert steroid compounds into useful metabolites. In the present study, the ability of Microchaete tenera , a rice paddy field-isolated microalga, was investigated for biotransformation of progesterone. The incubation was carried out at 25°C under continuous illumination in the present of 0.25 g L −1 of progesterone. After 5 days incubation of the microalga in BG-11 liquid medium, the broth was extracted and the products were purified by the aid of chromatographic methods. Structure elucidation of the metabolites was performed by spectral data ( 13 C NMR, 1 H NMR, FTIR, and MS) and physical constants (melting points and optical rotations). Eventually, four major steroids including 20β-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, 6β-hydroxypregn-4-en-3,20-dione and 6α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3,20-dione were the results of this biotransformation. The study also showed that the best concentration of starting material, temperature, photoregime, and the influence of CO 2 partial pressure on the production of bioconverted metabolites were 0.25 g L −1 , 25°C, continuous light and 2.0 ± 0.1% ( v /v ) , respectively. Highest concentrations of all biotransformed metabolites were obtained in the 5th day. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9697-9 Authors Mohammad Sadegh Safiarian, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14174 Iran Mohammad Ali Faramarzi, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14174 Iran Mohsen Amini, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14174 Iran Neda Soltani, Department of Biology, ACECR, Research Institute of Applied Science, Tehran, Iran Minoosadat Tabatabaei-Sameni, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155–6451, Tehran, 14174 Iran Morvarid Hasan-Beikdashti, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155–6451, Tehran, 14174 Iran Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    To elucidate the changes in the proportions of microcystin (MC)-producing Microcystis , non-MC-producing Microcystis and Anabaena strains during cyanobacteria blooms, we compared their fitness under different initial biomass ratios. Culture experiments were carried out with three cyanobacterial strains: single-celled toxic Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 ( Ma 7806), single-celled nontoxic Microcystis wesenbergii FACHB-929 ( Mw 929) and filamentous Anabaena PCC7120 ( An 7120). Growth curves expressed as biovolume, Ma 7806 microcystin-LR (MC-LR) content (detected with HPLC and ELISA), and the culture medium dissolved total nitrogen and dissolved total phosphorous (DTP) were measured to monitor nutrient uptake. Results suggest that the dominant strain in competition experiments between Ma 7806 and An 7120 was mainly controlled by the initial biomass ratio of the two strains, but there was also evidence for allelopathic interactions, where MC-LR produced by Ma 7806 played an important role in the competition process. However, Mw 929 was always less competitive when co-cultured with An 7120 regardless of initial biomass ratio. Culture medium DTP showed significant differences between competition experiments in all sets, suggesting that Mw 929 could be more suited to low phosphorus environments than Ma 7806 and An 7120. Overall, the competitive ability of Ma 7806 was stronger than Mw 929 when co-cultured with An 7120 in the case of excess nutrients and the results could well unravel the seasonal succession process of cyanobacteria blooms. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9648-x Authors Yinxia Li, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7# South Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430072 People’s Republic of China Dunhai Li, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7# South Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430072 People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    A new cultivation technique for Kappaphycus alvarezii was used in the Brazilian southeastern coast (23°02′25″ S and 43°53′39″ W), the tubular netting on floating rafts. The tubular net technique (TN) was compared with the current method of tie–tie (TT). After 47 days, the daily growth rate (mean ± SD of TN and TT = 3.4 ± 0.7% day −1 ), carrageenan yield (mean ± SD of TN and TT = 36 ± 1.3%), gel strength (mean ± SD of TN and TT = 730 ± 114.5 g cm²), and viscosity (mean ± SD of TN and TT = 350 ± 60.4 cP) did not differ between the two techniques ( p  〉 0.05). The amount of time used to plant (TT = 30.2 ± 2.3 min and TN = 13.3 ± 3.4 min) and to harvest the seedlings (TT = 36.2 ± 2.7 min and TN = 17.8 ± 3.7 min) were lower in TN ( p  〈 0.001). It is concluded that TN was more effective than TT, the cultivation management (time rates used to plant and harvest the seedlings) was 53.6% faster, no seedlings were lost, the cost was lower, and an estimated return in 1 year of nearly 20% more than that of the TT technique. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9647-y Authors Henrique Geromel de Góes, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão 915, 22460-030 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro Brazil Renata Perpetuo Reis, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão 915, 22460-030 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro Brazil Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Under stress conditions, some microalgae up-regulate certain biosynthetic pathways, leading to the accumulation of specific compounds. For example, changing nutrient composition can induce stress in algae’s physiological activities, which may trigger an intense increase in carotenoid production. In this study, the change of photosynthetic functions and carotenoid production in the green microalga Scenedesmus sp. was investigated when algal cultures were exposed to conditions including limited nitrogen content with the addition of sodium acetate. Microalgal cultures were treated for 18 days under higher irradiance conditions. We observed a decrease of chlorophyll content induced concomitantly with a decline of photosystem II and I photochemistry. At the same time, an important increase in carotenoid content was detected. By using high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis, we found that the secondary carotenoids astaxanthin and canthaxanthin were accumulated compared to controls. During the process of carotenoid accumulation, chlorophyll degradation was found in addition to a strong decrease in photosynthetic electron transport. Such changes may be associated with the structural reorganization of the photosynthetic apparatus and can be a useful indicator of secondary carotenoid accumulation in algal cultures. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9657-4 Authors Laura Pirastru, Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), P.O Box. 8888, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC Canada H3C 3P8 Mohamed Darwish, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt Fong Lam Chu, Pharmaqam, UQAM, Montreal, QC Canada François Perreault, Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), P.O Box. 8888, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC Canada H3C 3P8 Louka Sirois, Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), P.O Box. 8888, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC Canada H3C 3P8 Lekha Sleno, Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), P.O Box. 8888, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC Canada H3C 3P8 Radovan Popovic, Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), P.O Box. 8888, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC Canada H3C 3P8 Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Two varieties of the carrageenophyte Kappaphycus alvarezii (Tungawan, TUNG; and Giant tambalang , GTAM) from Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines were used to test the efficacy of Acadian Marine Plant Extract Powder (AMPEP) as source of nutrients for growth, and to determine if applications had any effect on the percent occurrence of an epiphytic infestation of the red alga Neosiphonia sp. at four different depths in the sea. Results showed that the use of AMPEP significantly ( P  〈 0.05) increased the growth rate of both Kappaphycus varieties tested but decreased the percent occurrence of Neosiphonia sp. The percent occurrence of Neosiphonia sp. infection (6–50% at all depths) of both Kappaphycus varieties with AMPEP treatment was significantly lower than the controls (i.e., 10–75% at all depths). Both the growth rate of the cultivated seaweed and the percent occurrence of the epiphytes decreased as the cultivation depth increased. Plants dipped in AMPEP and suspended at the surface had the highest growth rates (i.e., 4.1%, TUNG; 3.1%, GTAM) after 45 days; those without AMPEP dipping had the highest percent occurrence of Neosiphonia infection (viz. 70–75%). The occurrence of Neosiphonia infestation was found to be correlated with changes in irradiance and salinity at the depths observed. The results suggested that both varieties of K. alvarezii used in this study have the fastest growth rate when grown immediately at the water surface. However, in order to minimize damage caused by the occurrence of epiphytic Neosiphonia , K. alvarezii should be grown within a depth range of 50–100 cm. These observations are important for the improved management of Kappaphycus for commercial farming. Furthermore, the use of AMPEP treatments for enhancement of growth and reduction deleterious Neosiphonia sp. infections is encouraging. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9649-9 Authors Iris Ann G. Borlongan, Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo, 5021 Philippines Keneth R. Tibubos, Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo, 5021 Philippines Dianne Aster T. Yunque, Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo, 5021 Philippines Anicia Q. Hurtado, Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo, 5021 Philippines Alan T. Critchley, Acadian Seaplants Limited, 30 Brown Avenue, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X8, Canada Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Cell density and fatty acid (FA) content of Pavlova lutheri and Chaetoceros muelleri were analysed in a continuous algal production system (250-L bags) with reduced diameter. The cell density and FA content and composition in the algal production system were determined in replicate bags over a period of 5 weeks. The results showed that the cell density and essential FAs increased during the experiment for both species. After 5 weeks the mean cell numbers had increased to 6.0 ± 0.3 × 10 6 cells mL −1 in the P. lutheri bags and 6.0 ± 0.4 × 10 6 cells mL −1 in the C. muelleri bags. The content of total FAs increased significantly ( p  〈 0.05) in all of the bags during the experiment. At the end of the experiment the mean total FA content were 2.7 ± 0.3 pg cell −1 in the P. lutheri bags and 1.8 ± 0.1 pg cell −1 in the C. muelleri bags. Maximum total FA content registered was 3.0 pg cell −1 in one of the P. lutheri bags. The content of the essential FAs (ARA, EPA, DHA) increased over time in both of the species. At the end of the experiment the content of EPA (0.6 ± 0.1 pg cell −1 ) and DHA (0.3 ± 0.0 pg cell −1 ) were highest in the P. lutheri bags, while ARA (0.1 ± 0.0 pg cell −1 ) was highest in C. muelleri . EPA and DHA constituted 22% and 11%, respectively, of total FA content in P. lutheri, while ARA constituted 6% of total FA content in C. muelleri . The results from this experiment indicate that flagellates such as P. lutheri perform better in narrow bags with improved light conditions, while diatoms like C. muelleri perform better in wider bags under light limitation. Implications for bivalve hatcheries are discussed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9655-6 Authors Anita Jacobsen, Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway Otto Grahl-Nielsen, Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway Thorolf Magnesen, Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Biodegradation of γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane) by a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium isolated from Chinese paddy soils, Anabaena azotica 118, was investigated. Lindane with an initial concentration of 0.2 mg L −1 in the cultures had no negative effect on the chlorophyll a concentration of A. azotica after 5 d exposure. The tolerance of this cyanobacterium to lindane indicates that it has the potential to biodegrade lindane. The degradation experiments show that the percentage of lindane removal efficiency by A. azotica was 48.8% after 5 d, at an initial lindane concentration of 0.2 mg L −1 and initial A. azotica chlorophyll a concentration of 50 mg L −1 . The calculated half-life was 4.78 d. Elevated culture temperature, irradiation, and usage of nitrate as the nitrogen source in the cultures could increase the biodegradation efficiency of lindane. γ-Pentachlorocyclohexene was detected as a metabolite of lindane. The ability of A. azotica to biodegrade lindane has potential use in the bioremediation for this organochlorine pesticide. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9670-7 Authors Hangjun Zhang, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 People’s Republic of China Ciming Hu, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 People’s Republic of China Xiuying Jia, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 People’s Republic of China Yi Xu, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 People’s Republic of China Chenjie Wu, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 People’s Republic of China Lina Chen, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 People’s Republic of China Fengping Wang, College of Environmental Science and Resources, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The growth rate and CO 2 biofixation rate of a photosynthetic organism depend basically on the availability of light, all other factors being optimum. In dense cultures of cyanobacteria or micro-algae intended for biomass production, incident irradiance on the reactor surface is not the same as the intensity which is received by cells, as irradiance is attenuated by cell absorption and the self-shading effect. In a well-mixed, dense culture, only the average irradiance, I av , can be considered responsible for the photosynthetic response. In this study, the photosynthetic response of Synechocystis sp., estimated from its specific growth rate, was measured for each I av in batch cultures irradiated with different levels of external irradiance, I ext . The specific growth rate of Synechocystis sp. depends on I av , in accordance with the model proposed by Muller-Feuga ( J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 236:1–13, 1999 ). A non-linear regression analysis estimated a maximum specific growth rate of 0.108 h −1 , at an I av of 930 μmol photons·m −2 ·s −1 . This reveals that Synechocystis sp. is a highly light-tolerant strain, suitable for outdoor cultures. Higher I av levels caused photoinhibition in batch cultures. Parameters obtained from the Muller-Feuga model show that the minimum irradiance needed to start growth mechanisms becomes less as light availability decreases, i.e. cells become more efficient in the use of light when it is scarce. This observation suggests that choosing for low-light adaptation may be a good strategy to improve productivity in dense cultures, where light is a limiting factor. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9658-3 Authors Lorena Martínez, Natural Resources Institute, University of León, Avda. Portugal, 41, 24071 León, Spain Antonio Morán, Natural Resources Institute, University of León, Avda. Portugal, 41, 24071 León, Spain Ana Isabel García, Natural Resources Institute, University of León, Avda. Portugal, 41, 24071 León, Spain Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The responses of the pioneer submerged macroalga ( Chara globularis ) and the rapidly spreading floating macroalga ( Hydrodictyon reticulatum ) to high levels of lead (40, 80, and 160 mg L −1 ) at pH 7.14 were studied. Growth rate, Pb bioaccumulation, and physiological response of plants were measured after 5 and 15 days exposure. Both macroalgae efficiently postponed the deposition process of Pb from water column to soil. The Pb bioaccumulation in C. globularis was concentration- and time-dependent increase during the experiment and the maximum bioaccumulation activity was about 3,650 mg Pb kg −1 DW in 160 mg L −1 Pb at pH 7.14 after 15 days, whereas H. reticulatum showed saturable bioaccumulation in 5 days and the maximum was approximately 4,000 mg Pb kg −1 DW; in addition, H. reticulatum exhibited higher tolerance to Pb pollution than C. globularis . The results also showed that the antioxidant defense systems of both tested macroalgae were overwhelmed under high Pb levels with superoxide radical and malondiadehyde levels increasing significantly. The antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and guaiacol peroxidase activities were inhibited severely increasing Pb levels and exposure time. These results indicate that the pioneer species C. globularis would have difficulty growing in a habitat polluted by Pb 〉40 mg L −1 and the rapidly spreading H. reticulatum may not grow in an environment polluted by 〉80 mg L −1 Pb. Because Pb levels in most water bodies are lower than 40 mg L −1 , both C. globularis and H. reticulatum can be considered for phytoremediation of Pb pollution. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9673-4 Authors Yan Gao, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 People’s Republic of China Xue Yan, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Porphyra is a commercially valuable source of food and drugs and an important model organism for algal research. However, genetic research on Porphyra tenera has been limited by a lack of a heterologous gene expression system. In this study, we isolated native promoter PtHSP70 for the efficient expression of foreign genes in this organism. This promoter lies approximately 1 kb upstream of the heat shock protein 70 coding sequence and was isolated using adapter ligation-mediated genomic polymerase chain reaction. Promoter activity was evaluated using the synthetic GUS gene (PyGUS) with optimized codons for Porphyra yezoensis . Interestingly, the PtHSP70 promoter allowed the efficient expression of PyGUS in P. tenera and P. yezoensis , whereas the PyGAPDH promoter from P. yezoensis was not fully functional in P. tenera . The PtHSP70 promoter may have a more conserved regulatory mechanism than the PyGAPDH promoter between these species, suggesting that PtHSP70 could serve as a universal promoter for Porphyra species. We also established an efficient transient transformation system for P. tenera by evaluating transformation parameters including gold particle quantity, helium and vacuum pressure, developmental stages of leafy gametophytes, and target distance. Under optimal conditions of transient transformation, the frequency of GUS expression was determined by histochemical staining as 30–50 cells per bombardment. In addition, PyGUS expression was detected during the regeneration of monospores in P. tenera , indicating successful genetic transformation. Therefore, the new transient transformation system using the PtHSP70 promoter can be used for foreign gene expression in P. tenera , which may advance the development of P. tenera as a model organism. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9652-9 Authors Su Hyun Son, Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 111 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Joon-Woo Ahn, Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 111 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Toshiki Uji, Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato, Hakodate, 041-8611 Japan Dong-Woog Choi, Department of Biology Education, Chonnam National University, Kwagnju, 500-757 South Korea Eun-Jeong Park, Seaweed Research Center, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Mokpo, Jeonnam 530-831, South Korea Mi Sook Hwang, Seaweed Research Center, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Mokpo, Jeonnam 530-831, South Korea Jang Ryol Liu, Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 111 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Dongsu Choi, Department of Biology, Kunsan National University, 1170 Daehangno, Gunsan, 573-701 South Korea Koji Mikami, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato, Hakodate, 041-8611 Japan Won-Joong Jeong, Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 111 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Experimental ecology methods and chlorophyll fluorescence technology were used to study the effects of different concentrations of manganese (10 −12 – 10 −4  mol L −1 ) on the growth, photosystem II and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of Amphidinium sp. MACC/D31. The results showed that manganese had a significant effect on the growth rate, fluorescence parameters (maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII ( F v /F m ), photochemical quenching (qP) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ)) in the exponential stage (days 1–3) and SOD activity of Amphidinium sp. ( P  〈 0.05). F v / F m in the exponential stage in 10 −12  mol L −1 manganese concentration was significantly lower whilst qP and NPQ significantly higher than those in the other concentrations. F v /F m (days 6–9) in 10 −4  mol L −1 manganese was significantly higher than those in the other concentrations. F v /F m (days 3–6) increased with increased concentration of manganese from 10 −12 to 10 −4  mol L −1 . The values of qP and NPQ decreased with decreased concentrations of manganese, except for those in days 4–6. F v /F m under each concentration increased earlier and decreased later with culture stage whilst NPQ decreased earlier and increased later. The SOD activity increased with increased concentration of manganese from 10 −12 to 10 −8  mol L −1 . The SOD activity in 10 −4  mol L −1 manganese was significantly higher than those in the other concentrations and in 10 −12  mol L −1 manganese, it was significantly lower than those in the other concentrations. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9637-0 Authors Chunhui Cao, The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China Shichun Sun, The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China Xuekui Wang, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457 China Wenling Liu, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457 China Ying Liang, The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Mass collection of germlings and growth of fouling algae are two main constraints for the seedling production of Sargassum thunbergii . In this study, 65% and 40% of reproductive output (allocation of biomass to sexual reproductive tissue) for farmed and natural populations respectively, were recorded during peak reproduction. In terms of germlings per kilogram wet weight of plants, the farmed population gave a higher yield than the natural population (3.2 × 10 5 and 1.2 × 10 5 germlings kg -1 , respectively). These results indicate that farmed populations could be used as parental plants for germling collection in seedling production. During the experiment, fouling was controlled by jet washing and high-density seeding. A germling detachment of less than 10% was observed when, after 48 h of attachment, collectors were jet-washed with an intensity of 1 kg cm -2 . High-density seeding had adverse effects on length mean, size equality, and occurrence of branches of germlings. However, 30–50 individuals cm -2 are thought to be usable in the seedling production of S. thunbergii because of less density effects. Seedlings of 〉 0.5 cm length could be achieved after 1 month of tank culture. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9689-9 Authors Quan Sheng Zhang, Ocean School, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005 People’s Republic of China Yong Zheng Tang, Ocean School, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005 People’s Republic of China Shi Kai Liu, Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA Shu Bao Zhang, Ocean School, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005 People’s Republic of China Zhi Cheng Lu, Ocean School, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005 People’s Republic of China Shao Hua Cu, Ocean School, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005 People’s Republic of China Yong Qiang Yu, Ocean School, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005 People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The total zeaxanthin level in Chlorella ellipsoidea , a green microalga, was more than nine times that of red pepper, a plant source of zeaxanthin. Additionally, the zeaxanthin in C. ellipsoidea consisted of the free form, while those in other plants exist as zeaxanthin mono- and diesters. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was used to extract zeaxanthin from C. ellipsoidea . Both the extraction temperature and extraction time, the two main factors in PLE, were optimized with a central composite design to obtain the highest extraction efficiency of zeaxanthin. Hexane, ethanol, and isopropanol were used as PLE extraction solvents. Ethanol extracted zeaxanthin most efficiently from C. ellipsoidea . Temperature was the parameter with the strongest influence on the extraction of zeaxanthin. The optimum extraction temperature and time for zeaxanthin were 115.4°C and 23.3 min, respectively. The maximum predicted value of 4.28 mg g −1 agreed with the experimental value of 4.26 mg g −1 , supporting the quality of the fitted model. These results indicate that PLE using ethanol may be a useful method for extracting zeaxanthin from C. ellipsoidea . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9691-2 Authors Song Yi Koo, Functional Food Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 679 Saimdang-ro, Gangneung, 210-340 Republic of Korea Kwang Hyun Cha, Functional Food Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 679 Saimdang-ro, Gangneung, 210-340 Republic of Korea Dae-Geun Song, Functional Food Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 679 Saimdang-ro, Gangneung, 210-340 Republic of Korea Donghwa Chung, Department of Marine Food Science and Technology, Medical and Bio-Material Research Center, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, 210-702 Republic of Korea Cheol-Ho Pan, Functional Food Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 679 Saimdang-ro, Gangneung, 210-340 Republic of Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Explants obtained from young sporophytes of Saccharina japonica were cultured in an artificial medium with different concentrations of Ca 2+ (0–20 mM). The culture with 10 mM Ca 2+ promoted the formation of unpigmented filamentous callus-like cells in the cortical layer. In contrast, explants cultured with 5 mM Ca 2+ formed pigmented round callus-like cells in the epidermis at a high percentage. The thallus regeneration rate of explants in 5 mM Ca 2+ was ten times higher than those of explants cultured in 10 mM Ca 2+ . Ambient Ca 2+ concentrations also influenced the production of radical oxygen species (ROS) in explants. Explants cultured in 10 mM Ca 2+ produced higher ROS than did those cultured in 5 mM. The ROS production was histologically observed mainly in the plasma membrane of callus-like cells using 2′, 7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. Moreover, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor, diphenyleneiodonium chloride, inhibited the ROS production with propagation of filamentous callus-like cells. These results suggest that Ca 2+ concentration in medium influences the development of callus-like cells and thallus regeneration by affecting NADPH oxidase activity and ROS production in the plasma membrane of the callus-like cells. Therefore, the morphological form of callus-like cells and the development of thallus will be controlled by Ca 2+ concentration in the medium. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9688-x Authors Miwa Kanamori, Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato 3-1-1, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan Hiroyuki Mizuta, Laboratory of Aquaculture Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato 3-1-1, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan Hajime Yasui, Laboratory of Marine Industrial Science and Technology, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato 3-1-1, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    High light-inducible proteins are critical for photosynthetic organisms when responding to high light stress. We cloned and characterized the HLIP gene from Porphyra yezoensis , which was designated as PyHLIP . Sequence analysis revealed that the open reading frame of PyHLIP was 387 bp in length that encoded a 128 amino acid-polypeptide containing a plastid transit peptide and an obvious membrane-spanning α-helix region. No intron existed in the genomic DNA of PyHLIP . The putative promoter of PyHLIP was TATA-less, and the initiator element (Inr) existed upstream of ATG. Analysis of genomic organization indicated there were two copies of PyHLIP gene in the P . yezoensis nuclear genome. The expression of PyHLIP can be induced by various stress conditions and is especially sensitive to high light. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9686-z Authors Fanna Kong, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China Yunxiang Mao, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China Hui Yang, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China Li Wang, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China Limin Liu, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    In order to effectively prepare useful components from Sargassum coreanum , enzyme-assisted extraction was adapted to extraction processing of the seaweed. Our previous studies have shown that Neutrase extract of S. coreanum exhibited the strongest antioxidant activities among ten enzymatic extracts. It is reported that many antioxidant substances have anticancer or anticarcinogenic properties. Thus, Neutrase extract, which possessed a strong antioxidant activity in the previous study, was separated into four different molecular weight fractions (〈5, 5–10, 10–30, and 〉30 kDa) which were screened for inhibitory activities against cancer cell growth. The 〉30-kDa fraction inhibited cell growth more than the other fractions. We separated crude polysaccharide (CPS) from the 〉30-kDa fraction to show that CPS increased DNA fragmentation, apoptotic body, and apoptotic cells with hypodiploid DNA contents in HL-60 cells. This indicates that CPS suppressed the growth of cells through apoptosis. The CPS gradually increased the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and led to the activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The CPS was 40.85% fucose, 27.24% galactose, and 12.99% glucose, as analyzed by bio-liquid chromatography. These findings suggest that apoptosis effect can be mediated by CPS in HL-60 cells. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9685-0 Authors Seok-Chun Ko, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Seung-Hong Lee, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Ginnae Ahn, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Kil-Nam Kim, Jeju Biodiversity Research Institute (JBRI), Jeju Hi-Tech Industry Development Institute (HiDI), Jeju, 697-943 South Korea Seon-Heui Cha, Marine Bio Research Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Se-Kwon Kim, Department of Chemistry, Pukyoung National University, Busan, 608-737 South Korea Byong-Tae Jeon, Korean Nokyong Research Center, College of Medicine Konkuk University, Chungju, 380-701 South Korea Pyo-Jam Park, Department of Biotechnology, College of Medicine Konkuk University, 322 Danwol-dong, Chungju, 380-701 South Korea Ki-Wan Lee, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea You-Jin Jeon, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Microalgae play an important role during the tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater. Cell immobilization techniques have been developed in order to improve the quality of the treated wastewater and avoid wash out of the biomass. Since cell immobilization method may affect the nutrient removal efficiency, ten strains of microalgae were immobilized in sodium alginate gel in different-diameter circular screens, and orthophosphate removal efficiency from municipal wastewater was studied. Results indicate that the alginate immobilization screen size and contact surface with wastewater affects the microalgae synthesis activity and thus orthophosphate removal efficiency. Increasing the contact surface by making smaller alginate screens will increase the cation exchange rate and reduce the orthophosphate concentration in the medium. Among all microalgae treatments, Scenedesmus rubescens MCCS 018 , Chlamydomonas sp . MCCS 026, and Chroococcus dispersus MCCS 006 had the highest PO 4 3- -P removal efficiency of 68.8%, 71.9%, and 72.3% within 12 days. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9682-3 Authors Narges Zamani, Department of Water Engineering, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Masoud Noshadi, Department of Water Engineering, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Seifollah Amin, Department of Water Engineering, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Ali Niazi, Institute of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Younes Ghasemi, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Since the fatty acid ester profile of a given biofuel is relatively consistent with the source’s fatty acid profile, the properties of the biodiesel produced from a particular feedstock exhibit predictable quality. Thus, lipid fractions and the fatty acid composition of stationary growth-phase cultures of the local strains of the diatoms Skeletonema costatum and Navicula gregaria were analysed to evaluate their suitability as biodiesel feedstock. Total lipid content was 20.83 pg cell −1 in S. costatum and 19.17 pg cell −1 in N. gregaria . Neutral lipids were the main fraction of total lipids in both species, accounting for ca. 65% and 76%, respectively. S. costatum was predominant in saturated fatty acids (SFAs; 43.48 %) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs; 40.11%), while N. gregaria was predominant in MUFAs (54.85%), followed by SFAs (33.42%). In S. costatum , the main fatty acids in neutral lipid fraction were myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic and oleic acids, while the main ones in N. gregaria were palmitic and palmitoleic acids. The oils extracted from these species presented linolenic acid contents within biodiesel’s quality specifications. However, in neutral lipid fraction both species showed eicosapentaenoic acid levels higher than the required limit. The lipid quality analysed in both species suggests that a biodiesel derived from these oils may present an acceptable cetane number, but likely poor cold-flow properties. This baseline information is useful for future research tending to find more suitable conditions in order to improve oil yield. In addition, both estuarine species neither compete with agriculture for food nor require farmland nor fresh water. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9639-y Authors Cecilia A. Popovich, Laboratorio de Estudios Básicos y Biotecnológicos en Algas y Hongos (LEBBAH), Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida (CERZOS)–CONICET, Camino de La Carrindanga, Km 7, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina Cecilia Damiani, Laboratorio de Ficología y Micología, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina Diana Constenla, Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química PLAPIQUI (UNS–CONICET), Camino de La Carrindanga km 7, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina Patricia I. Leonardi, Laboratorio de Estudios Básicos y Biotecnológicos en Algas y Hongos (LEBBAH), Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida (CERZOS)–CONICET, Camino de La Carrindanga, Km 7, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The influence of nitrogen (N) deficiency on the cell growth and intracellular lipid production of the alga Botryococcus braunii UTEX 572 was investigated. Biomass concentration and lipid content of B. braunii cultivated in modified Chu-13 medium containing 0.04, 0.37, and 3.66 mM nitrate were 0.23–0.38 g L −1 and 36–63% of dry cell weight, respectively. The specific growth rate of B. braunii reached a constant of 0.185 day −1 during cultivation with an initial nitrate feed of 3.66 mM. The maximum lipid content of B. braunii was 63% with 0.04 mM nitrate. However, the maximum lipid productivity of 0.019 g L −1  day −1 was achieved with 0.37 mM nitrate. The level of oleic acid, an important component of biodiesel, was higher at 86% of the total fatty acids under N-limited conditions (0.04 mM nitrate) compared to 69% under N-sufficient conditions (3.66 mM nitrate). Furthermore, expression of the stearoyl-ACP desaturase gene ( sad ) encoding a stearoyl-ACP desaturase involved in the synthesis of oleic acid was 2.6-fold higher under N-limited conditions than under N-sufficient conditions. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9636-1 Authors Gang-Guk Choi, Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 111 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Byung-Hyuk Kim, Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 111 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Chi-Yong Ahn, Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 111 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Hee-Mock Oh, Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 111 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Undaria pinnatifida sporophytes, originating from the same strain, were cultured at the commercial cultivation site exposed to wave action and the uncultivated site protected from water action of Okirai Bay, Northeast Japan, from January to April 2007; simultaneously, water flow velocity, water temperature, salinity, NO 3  + NO 2 , and chlorophyll a were monitored to investigate the effect of water environment on their growth and morphology. Water temperature and salinity fluctuated within the optimal range for their growth whereas water flow velocity at the cultivation site was greatly fast compared with that at the uncultivated site. Successive chlorophyll a increases synchronized with NO 3  + NO 2 decreases were observed only at the uncultivated site for over a month; indicating developments of phytoplankton blooms and their nutrient consumption under the low-flow condition. Meanwhile, blade growth rate of cultured sporophytes was higher at the cultivation site than at the uncultivated site. Their thallus size expressed by six morphological characters (blade length, stipe length, blade wet weight, stipe wet weight, blade width, and undivided blade width) at the cultivation site became large in comparison with that at the uncultivated site. Their three morphological correlations (correlations between blade length and thallus length; blade wet weight and thallus wet weight; and undivided blade width and blade width) differed between the sites. They produced a thick and flat blade at the cultivation site but formed a thin and wrinkled blade at the uncultivated site. These results show the significant impact of water flow velocity on their growth and morphology. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9635-2 Authors Nobuyoshi Nanba, School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sanriku, Ofunato, Iwate 022-0101, Japan Takayuki Fujiwara, Iwate Fisheries Technology Center, Kamaishi, Iwate 026-0001, Japan Kazuyoshi Kuwano, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan Yutaka Ishikawa, Iwate Fisheries Technology Center, Kamaishi, Iwate 026-0001, Japan Hisao Ogawa, School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sanriku, Ofunato, Iwate 022-0101, Japan Ryusuke Kado, School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sanriku, Ofunato, Iwate 022-0101, Japan Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Different propagation techniques for cultivation of vegetative Gigartina skottsbergii fronds were tested using a system of suspended ropes, to which inoculants were attached. Our results showed that triangular fragments obtained from the circular G. skottsbergii thalli produced harvestable frond of 800 cm 2 after 8 months. In contrast, inoculants of intact juvenile fronds of comparable size needed at least 10 months to reach the same size. A control experiment with spores developing on an artificial substrate showed that 20 months were needed to reach a surface of 500 cm 2 , confirming the superiority of our fragment culture system. A pilot study demonstrated that with a density of six fronds m −1 of farming line, the proposed system can be economically interesting for local fishermen. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9640-5 Authors Renato Westermeier, Instituto de Acuicultura, Sede Puerto Montt, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile David J. Patiño, Instituto de Acuicultura, Sede Puerto Montt, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile Pedro Murúa, Instituto de Acuicultura, Sede Puerto Montt, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile Juan C. Quintanilla, Instituto de Acuicultura, Sede Puerto Montt, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile Juan Correa, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114 D, Santiago, Chile Alejandro H. Buschmann, Centro Investigación y Desarrollo en Recursos y Ambientes Costeros (i–mar), Universidad de Los Lagos, Casilla 557, Puerto Montt, Chile Ismael Barros, Escuela de Ingeniería Comercial, Sede Puerto Montt, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea are commonly used fertilizers throughout the world. The effects of these fertilizers on the freshwater flagellate Euglena gracilis was studied after 7 days of growth using morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters as end points. NOEC and EC 50 values for various parameters like cell density, motility, velocity, cell shape, gravitaxis, chlorophyll a, b and total carotenoids were calculated. NOEC and EC 50 values of DAP varied from 0.5 to 2.5 g L −1 and 3.14 to 5.96 g L −1 , respectively, for different parameters. NOEC and EC 50 values for urea ranged from 5 to 25 g L −1 and 28 to 44.05 g L −1 , respectively, for various parameters. Photosynthetic pigments were found to be more sensitive to both fertilizers as compared to other measured end points. The NOEC and EC 50 values obtained for DAP were much lower than those for urea; i.e., DAP showed a stronger inhibitory effect as compared to urea. Application of DAP resulted in an increased concentration of ammonia in Euglena cultures but urea did not. The stronger inhibitory effect of DAP is attributed to release of free ammonia in the culture due to DAP decompostion. No release of ammonia by urea occurred due to the absence of the enzyme urease in E. gracilis . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9641-4 Authors Azizullah Azizullah, Department of Biology, Institute of Cellbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany Peter Richter, Department of Biology, Institute of Cellbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany Donat-Peter Häder, Neue Str. 9, 91096 Möhrendorf, Germany Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Current research investigating the importance of diversity for biofuel lipid production remains limited. In contrast, the relationship between diversity and productivity within terrestrial and algal primary producers has been well documented in ecology. Hence, we set out to investigate, experimentally, whether diversity may also affect lipid production in micro-algae. We investigated the growth and lipid production of micro-algae using species from all major algal groups. Algae were grown in a large number of treatments differing in their diversity level. Additionally, we compared the growth and lipid production of laboratory communities to natural lake and pond phytoplankton communities of different diversity. Our results show that lipid production increased with increasing diversity in both natural and laboratory micro-algal communities. The underlying reason for the observed ‘diversity–productivity’ relationship seems to be resource use complementarity. We observed higher lipid production of highly diverse algal communities under the same growth and resource supply conditions compared to monocultures. Hence, the incorporation of the ecological advantages of diversity-related resource-use dynamics into algal biomass production may provide a powerful and cost effective way to improve biofuel production. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9644-1 Authors Maria Stockenreiter, Department Biologie II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Grosshaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany Anne-Kathrin Graber, Department Biologie II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Grosshaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany Florian Haupt, Department Biologie II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Grosshaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany Herwig Stibor, European Institute for Marine Studies, Technopole Brest-Iroise, Place Nicolas Copernic, 29280 Plouzane, France Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Spirulina platensis , a filamentous cyanobacterium, produces γ-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3), which is an important anti-inflammatory for pharmaceutical use. Thus, to increase the GLA content in S. platensis , this study investigated the combined effect of a light–dark (LD) two-stage culture and mixotrophic culture including a precursor of GLA. When compared with a photoautotrophic culture, the supplement of a GLA precursor, such as a long- or short-chain carbon source, enhanced the total fatty acid and GLA contents in the cells in the two-stage culture. The highest GLA content of 2% ( w / w ) and productivity of 27.6 ± 4.7 mg L −1 were obtained in S. platensis when using 0.01 mM palmitic acid as a supplement in the two-stage culture. This study also suggests that a mixotrophic and LD two-stage culture may represent a method for increasing the total lipid production, which can then be converted to biofuels. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9693-0 Authors Eun-Kyung Kim, Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Gang-Guk Choi, Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Hee-Sik Kim, Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Chi-Yong Ahn, Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Hee-Mock Oh, Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 305-806 South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    We studied periphytic algal biofilms that formed in the sedimentation basins (SBs) of a water treatment plant (WTP) in South Korea. The submerged cement wall of the basin was heavily coated by mats of algal filaments, which resembled a small sheet of carpet. These biofilms were more common in the dry season (spring and autumn), than the rainy season (summer) and winter. Oscillatoria and Phormidium (Cyanobacteria) were predominant in the biofilm of the SB walls, where the water was stagnant. Lyngbya (Cyanobacteria) and Oedogonium (Chlorophyta) were dominant on the walls of overflow weirs and troughs of the SB, where there was a substantial current. As the biofilm matured, the assemblages were detached from the walls and floated as “scum” on the water, causing contamination. Many factors control the development of cyanobacterial biofilms on the walls of WTPs, including the nutrient levels of the raw water, and interstitial or pore water of biofilm assemblages, temperature, and irradiance. We isolated and grew unialgal cultures of the five most important cyanobacteria of the WTP biofilm. Oscillatoria splendida strongly produced the musty odor from the cultures. We suggest implementation of antifouling strategies to reduce the formation of biofilm on the wall and contamination of water supplies. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9678-z Authors Gyeongje Joh, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Inje University, Gimhae, 621-749 South Korea Jiyoung Lee, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Inje University, Gimhae, 621-749 South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Due to the presence of various potential pollutants industrial wastewaters pose considerable threats to natural waters and make it unfit for the aquatic biota. Analysis of wastewaters by chemical methods is a common practice; however, it does not reflect the toxic effects on living organism. Therefore, bioassessment is necessary for monitoring of wastewater quality. In the present study, the toxic effects of wastewater samples from different industries were evaluated using Euglena gracilis as a biotest organism. Various parameters of the freshwater flagellate E. gracilis like motility, swimming velocity, cell shape, gravitactic orientation (using the automatic biotest ECOTOX) and photosynthetic efficiency (using a pulse amplitude modulated fluorometer) were used as end points for toxicity assessment. In addition, the samples were analysed for some ecologically important physicochemical properties. With some exceptions, most of the physicochemical properties of the tested samples were within the acceptable range of national environmental quality standards for municipal and industrial effluents. However, all the water samples adversely affected different parameters in E. gracilis . This study led to the conclusion that different toxic substances present in wastewater, even at low concentrations, can be a possible threat to aquatic biota. The results of this study prove that ECOTOX is a sensitive, easy, and fast bioassay for monitoring of water and wastewater quality. Gravitactic orientation and cell compactness of E. gracilis were the most sensitive parameters to wastewater toxicity. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9667-2 Authors Azizullah Azizullah, Department of Biology, Cell Biology Division, Friedrich-Alexander University, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany Peter Richter, Department of Biology, Cell Biology Division, Friedrich-Alexander University, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany Donat-Peter Häder, Neue Str. 9, 91096 Möhrendorf, Germany Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. HK-01 was more tolerant to NaCl stress than the aquatic cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 (also called Nostoc sp. PCC 7120) which is similar to Nostoc sp. HK-01 in phylogeny. We determined the amount of extracellular polysaccharides (capsular and released polysaccharides) from the cells of both strains cultured with or without 200 mM NaCl. The amount of capsular polysaccharides from Nostoc HK-01 reached approximately 65% of the dry weight whereas that from Anabaena PCC 7120 only occupied approximately 18% of the dry weight under NaCl stress. Anabaena PCC 7120 grew well under NaCl stress when both polysaccharides from Nostoc HK-01 were added to the culture. However, Anabaena PCC 7120 barely grew under NaCl stress when both of its polysaccharides were added. Extracellular polysaccharides from Nostoc HK-01 contained abundant fucose and glucuronic acid in comparison with those from Anabaena PCC 7120. Under NaCl stress, the composition ratios of sugars in the extracellular polysaccharides from Anabaena PCC 7120 hardly changed in comparison with those in ordinary culture conditions. By contrast, the composition ratios of sugars in the extracellular polysaccharides from Nostoc HK-01 changed under NaCl stress. These results suggest that the effect of extracellular polysaccharides from Nostoc HK-01 on NaCl tolerance comes from the increased amount of capsular polysaccharides, the sugar composition, and the change of the sugar composition ratio under NaCl stress. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9672-5 Authors Hidehisa Yoshimura, Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153–8902 Japan Toshihisa Kotake, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Ohkubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama, 338–8570 Japan Tsutomu Aohara, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Ohkubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama, 338–8570 Japan Yoichi Tsumuraya, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Ohkubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama, 338–8570 Japan Masahiko Ikeuchi, Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153–8902 Japan Masayuki Ohmori, Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112–8551 Japan Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Microalgae are emerging as a promising source for environmentally friendly biofuels. Acoustic manipulation of algal cells using standing waves is a relatively new method for dewatering and/or sorting algae harvests. Recent work in the field has shown that acoustic dewatering methods may be more efficient and economical than traditional methods. Optimization of acoustic algal cell manipulation requires a knowledge of the acoustic radiation force upon the cells. Previous work in the field does not account for viscosity of the algal cells or surrounding fluid. We have implemented inviscid and viscous acoustic force models for standing waves incident upon algal cells in salt and freshwater. The results presented in this paper show that significant viscous effects can occur at certain frequencies and/or cell sizes and may need to be taken into account in the development of efficient experimental techniques. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9662-7 Authors Cara A. C. Leckey, NASA Langley Research Center, MS 231 3B East Taylor St, Hampton, VA 23681, USA Mark K. Hinders, Department of Applied Science, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Phototrophic biofilms seem to be suitable candidates for tertiary wastewater treatment due to their high uptake capacity for nutrients and other pollutants, also taking into account the time and cost savings derived from easy procedures for biomass harvesting. Biomass accrual, structure, and physiology of biofilms affect the efficiency of nutrient removal by its microbial community. Here, we construct a biofilm consisting of a cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. and the green alga Chlorococcum sp. and determine the effect of combined variations of irradiance and temperature on the biofilm structure and function. The two species were isolated from phototrophic biofilms naturally developing in an Italian wastewater treatment plant and grown in a microcosm designed for biofilm investigations. Phototrophic biomass accumulation, percent species composition, photosynthetic response and the amount and composition of capsular polysaccharides (CPS), including anionic residues, are reported. The results showed that biofilm development required relatively moderate irradiances (60 μmol photons m −2  s −1 ) below which development was arrested. Both light and temperature had a strong effect on the composition of each species to the biofilm. The CPS compositions also changed with temperature, light and species composition. The CPS of the green-algal-dominated biofilm had the higher uronic acid content indicating a potential to exploit green algae in the treatment of waste contaminated with heavy metals. Given the knowledge of the response of certain species to light and temperature combinations, it may be possible to construct biofilms of known species and CPS composition to use them for specific applications. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9669-0 Authors Francesca Di Pippo, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca scientifica s.n.c, 00133 Rome, Italy Neil Tomas William Ellwood, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Rome “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy Antonella Guzzon, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca scientifica s.n.c, 00133 Rome, Italy Luisa Siliato, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca scientifica s.n.c, 00133 Rome, Italy Ernesto Micheletti, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy Roberto De Philippis, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy Patrizia B. Albertano, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca scientifica s.n.c, 00133 Rome, Italy Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Batch cultures of the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris and cyanobacterium Planktothrix isothrix and their corresponding co-cultures were grown in municipal wastewater in order to study their growth as well as the nitrogen (NH 4 –N) and phosphorus (PO 4 3− –P) removal. The cultures were grown under two irradiances of 20 and 60 μmol photons m −2  s −1 in shaken and unshaken conditions. The co-culture of unshaken Chlorella and Planktothrix showed the greatest growth under both irradiances. The monoalgal Planktotrix cultures showed better growth when unshaken than when shaken, whereas Chlorella cultures grew better when mixed, but only at the higher irradiance. The highest percentage of nitrogen removal (up to 80%) was attained by the unshaken co-cultures of Chlorella and Planktothrix . The amount of nitrogen recycled in the biomass reached up to 85% of that removed. Shaken monoalgal cultures of Chlorella showed phosphorus removal under both irradiances. They completely removed the initial phosphorus concentration (7.47 ± 0.17 mg L −1 ) within 96 and 48 h under 20 and 60 μmol photons m −2  s −1 , respectively. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9675-2 Authors Ana Margarita Silva-Benavides, Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José 2060, Costa Rica Giuseppe Torzillo, Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi del CNR, Sede di Firenze, via Madonna del Piano, 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Kappaphycus alvarezii commercial cultivation is increasing along Brazilian coast. After 2008, more than 30 farms were established at Rio de Janeiro state in Sepetiba and Ilha Grande bays. Each farm has about ten floating rafts corresponding to near 900 m of cultivation line. Understanding the effect of the environmental factors on the growth and carrageenan yield and quality of the target algae in commercial farms will subsidize the establishment of efficient management activities to be used in the farms. In this sense, the temporal variation of the K. alvarezii daily growth rate, productivity, carrageenan yield, and quality (viscosity and gel strength) were analyzed using the seedlings cultivated in the largest Brazilian commercial cultivation at Sepetiba Bay. The daily growth rate, productivity, and carrageenan yield and quality were within the commercial requirement desirable for commercial crops. The main factors that caused the breakage of the floating rafts and consequently diminished the productivity are the storms. Water temperature and salinity were the other factors that influenced the daily growth rate and carrageenan yield and quality. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9665-4 Authors Henrique Geromel de Góes, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão 915, CEP 22460-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil Renata Perpetuo Reis, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão 915, CEP 22460-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Porphyra farms in Korea occasionally suffer from Olpidiopsis infection. As Porphyra farming proceeds from October to March, this obligatory biotrophic parasite may need an alternative host to survive during other months of the year. To find a possible alternative summer host, we collected algae from Wando, Korea, where extensive Porphyra plantations are located, and discovered an oomycete assignable to the genus Olpidiopsis from Heterosiphonia pulchra . Host susceptibility tests showed that this oomycete could also infect Heterosiphonia japonica, Dasya sp., Dasysiphonia chejuensis , and also blades of Porphyra tenera . The minimum incubation time for this Olpidiopsis sp. to infect its hosts was approximately 4 h. Zoosporangia matured in 2 days and biflagellate zoospores were released. Free zoospores remained infective in seawater for up to 7 days. The infection of Olpidiopsis sp. to H. japonica was cell-type specific and extended rhizoid-like apical cells of determinate branches were preferentially infected. FITC-conjugated lectin staining showed specific binding of concanavalin A (ConA) to extended rhizoid-like apical cells. Attachment of Olpidiopsis sp. zoospores to the host cells was inhibited by α-mannosidase. Monosaccharide inhibition experiments showed that d (+)-mannose, complementary to the lectin ConA, could also block the infection, suggesting a lectin–carbohydrate interaction during host–parasite recognition. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9661-8 Authors Tatyana A. Klochkova, Department of Biology, Kongju National University, Kongju, Chungnam 314-701, South Korea Jun Bo Shim, Department of Biology, Kongju National University, Kongju, Chungnam 314-701, South Korea Mi Sook Hwang, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), Mokpo, South Korea Gwang Hoon Kim, Department of Biology, Kongju National University, Kongju, Chungnam 314-701, South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    In the autumn of 2007, marine mucilage caused by the diatom Coscinodiscus granii occurred in the central area of Ariake Sound, Japan, and resulted in damage to fishery. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the outbreak of marine mucilage, we examined the effect of temperature on cell growth and production of transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) in a culture of this species. Growth and TEP production of C . granii are influenced by temperature. The maximum growth rate (1.63 divisions day −1 ) and cell yield (1,280 cells mL −1 ) at all temperatures were obtained at 30°C. Optimal growth rates (〉1.15 divisions day −1 : ca. 70% of maximum) and cell yield (〉900 cells mL −1 : ca. 70% of maximum) were observed at temperatures of 25–30°C. TEP production by C . granii depended on whether volume- or cell-related values were considered. The maximum volume-normalized increase rates and concentrations of TEP at all temperatures were observed at 25°C. However, when production rates and concentrations of TEP were normalized to cell numbers, optimal values were measured at 10–15°C. In Ariake Sound, when marine mucilage caused by C . granii occurred, the temperature ranged from 25.0 to 25.4°C. This suggests that growth conditions of C . granii are important factors for production of marine mucilage. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9666-3 Authors Tsuyoshi Fukao, Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, 1551-8 Taira-machi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki 851-2213, Japan Katsunori Kimoto, Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, 1551-8 Taira-machi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki 851-2213, Japan Yuichi Kotani, Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, 1551-8 Taira-machi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki 851-2213, Japan Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Aqueous extracts from 42 species of Vietnamese marine macroalgae, including 17 Chlorophyta, 22 Rhodophyta, and three Phaeophyta species, were examined for hemagglutination activity using native and enzyme-treated different animal and human erythrocytes. All extracts agglutinated at least one type of erythrocytes tested. Strong activity was detected in extracts from four Chlorophyta ( Caulerpa serulata var. boryana , Caulerpa sertularioides f . longipes , Halimeda velasquezii , and Halimeda discoidea ) and two Rhodophyta species ( Gelidiella acerosa and Titanophora pulchra ) with enzyme-treated rabbit and horse erythrocytes. The hemagglutinins of some active species were examined for sugar-binding specificity, pH, temperature stability, and divalent cation independency using ammonium sulfate precipitates prepared from their extracts. In a hemagglutination–inhibition test with various monosaccharides and glycoproteins, none of the hemagglutinins had affinity for monosaccharides. The activity of the hemagglutinins was inhibited by some glycoproteins tested. The inhibition profiles with glycoproteins were different depending on hemagglutinin species, suggesting the presence of lectins specific for complex N-glycans, high mannose N-glycans or O-glycans. On the other hand, the activities of almost all algal hemagglutinins were stable over a wide range of pH and temperature, and independent of the presence of divalent cations, except Gelidiopsis scoparia hemagglutinin, its activity was dependent on the presence of divalent cations. These results suggest that Vietnamese marine macroalgae may be good sources of useful lectins for many biological applications. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9671-6 Authors Le Dinh Hung, Nhatrang Institute of Technology Research and Application, 2A Hungvuong Street, Nhatrang City, Khanhhoa Province, Vietnam Bui Minh Ly, Nhatrang Institute of Technology Research and Application, 2A Hungvuong Street, Nhatrang City, Khanhhoa Province, Vietnam Vo Thi Dieu Trang, Nhatrang Institute of Technology Research and Application, 2A Hungvuong Street, Nhatrang City, Khanhhoa Province, Vietnam Ngo Thi Duy Ngoc, Nhatrang Institute of Technology Research and Application, 2A Hungvuong Street, Nhatrang City, Khanhhoa Province, Vietnam Le Thi Hoa, Nhatrang Institute of Technology Research and Application, 2A Hungvuong Street, Nhatrang City, Khanhhoa Province, Vietnam Phan Thi Hoai Trinh, Nhatrang Institute of Technology Research and Application, 2A Hungvuong Street, Nhatrang City, Khanhhoa Province, Vietnam Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Seaweed is more than the wrap that keeps rice together in sushi. Seaweed biomass is already used for a wide range of other products in food, including stabilising agents. Biorefineries with seaweed as feedstock are attracting worldwide interest and include low-volume, high value-added products and vice versa. Scientific research on bioactive compounds in seaweed usually takes place on just a few species and compounds. This paper reviews worldwide research on bioactive compounds, mainly of nine genera or species of seaweed, which are also available in European temperate Atlantic waters, i.e. Laminaria sp., Fucus sp., Ascophyllum nodosum , Chondrus crispus , Porphyra sp., Ulva sp., Sargassum sp., Gracilaria sp. and Palmaria palmata . In addition, Undaria pinnatifida is included in this review as this is globally one of the most commonly produced, investigated and available species. Fewer examples of other species abundant worldwide have also been included. This review will supply fundamental information for biorefineries in Atlantic Europe using seaweed as feedstock. Preliminary selection of one or several candidate seaweed species will be possible based on the summary tables and previous research described in this review. This applies either to the choice of high value-added bioactive products to be exploited in an available species or to the choice of seaweed species when a bioactive compound is desired. Data are presented in tables with species, effect and test organism (if present) with examples of uses to enhance comparisons. In addition, scientific experiments performed on seaweed used as animal feed are presented, and EU, US and Japanese legislation on functional foods is reviewed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-55 DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9632-5 Authors Susan Løvstad Holdt, Division of Industrial Food Research, DTU National Food Institute, Søltofts Plads building 221, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark Stefan Kraan, Ocean Harvest Technology, N17 Business Park, Milltown, Co. Galway, Ireland Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The first doubled haploid (DH) population of Porphyra haitanensis was created by crossing a wild-type line with a red type, artificial pigmentation, mutant line, by means of single somatic cell clone cultivation. Six quantitative traits (frond length (FL), frond width (FW), frond thickness (FT), fresh weight (W), growth rate of frond length (LGR), and growth rate of fresh weight (WGR)) from the DH population were analyzed. The frequency of each quantitative trait is in accordance with a normal distribution. Variable coefficients were between 20.43% and 57.35%, and while the mean of each quantitative trait was between the parents, it was closer to the paternal for six traits. Correlation analysis among the six traits showed significant positive correlations between FL and W, FW, and W, LGR and W, and WGR and W. There appears to be no correlation between FT and W. Heritability, number of genes controlling each quantitative trait and gene interactions, were also analyzed. Heritability of the six traits was greater than 70%, and heritability was not correlated with the number of genes controlling the corresponding quantitative trait. Frond thickness was the most heritable trait (95.30%), but this had the fewest control genes (7.52). According to the estimated coefficients of skewness and kurtosis, gene interaction was absent for LGR, but complementary gene interaction was observed in FW and W. In FL, FT, and WGR it is possible that complementary or duplicate gene interaction is involved. Our results enrich our understanding of Porphyra genetics and will help determine selection and breeding procedures for P. haitanensis . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9653-8 Authors Yan Xu, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems and School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China Chaotian Xie, College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021 China Changsheng Chen, College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021 China Dehua Ji, College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021 China Yahui Gao, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems and School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    An experimental study of the effect of artificial nutrient supply on understory algae was made during 1997 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) at the Mexican Pacific coast of Baja California. Twelve quadrats of 1 m 2 were placed on the sea bed. Six quadrats were used as controls, and six were treatments with added artificial nutrients. Nutrients were supplied using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes filled with slow-release inorganic fertilizer. The algae species composition and cover in each quadrat were estimated using the random point quadrat method. The percent of cover was tested using a multifactorial analysis of variance, and significant differences were obtained by post hoc Tukey’s HSD test. The analysis was carried out annually, seasonally, and seasonal and monthly for each species. The seawater temperature was recorded, and compared with historical data. The bottom and surface seawater nitrate concentration were measured. Twenty-five species of macroalgae and one seagrass were identified. The most abundant species was Corallina vancouveriensis (− N  = 19.8% and + N  = 26.6% average cover). The other species had lower than 10% cover. Significant differences of species percent cover between experimental groups (+ N and − N ) were detected in the annual analysis ( p  = 0.059). Seasonal analysis did not showed significant differences for any season. Monthly analysis showed significant differences in average percent cover when nutrients were added in eight species in different months: Bossiella orbigniana (August); Colpomenia sinuosa (June); Corallina officinalis (August); C. vancouveriensis (June); Dictyota flabellata (September); Eisenia arborea (June); Gracilaria marcialana (June); Macrocystis pyrifera (October), and the seagrass Phyllospadix torreyi (September and December). In conclusion, not all seaweed species are sensitive to nutrient addition during the ENSO years. In this research, we found eight species and one seagrass that had a positive reaction to the nutrients during the most severe stage (summer) of the ENSO. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9656-5 Authors Gustavo Hernández-Carmona, Departamento de Desarrollo de Tecnologías, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas-IPN, Apdo. Postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23000, Mexico Rafael Riosmena-Rodríguez, Programa de Investigación en Botánica Marina, Departamento de Biología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23080, Mexico Elisa Serviere-Zaragoza, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), Mar Bermejo No. 195, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita, Apdo. Postal 128, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23090, Mexico Germán Ponce-Díaz, Departamento de Desarrollo de Tecnologías, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas-IPN, Apdo. Postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23000, Mexico Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Use of algae for intracellular poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation for bioplastic production offers an opportunity in economic efficiency by reduced costs. The cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum is a PHB accumulator which presents a great potential as raw material supplier because of short generation cycles. Here, we examined a range of experimental conditions including different growth conditions of phosphate-starved cells with the addition of external carbon sources. The highest, absolute PHB accumulation was measured in a phosphate-starved medium with 1% ( w / w ) glucose and 1% ( w / w ) acetate. PHB accumulated inside algae cells. After 23 days of growth in phosphate-starved medium, 1 L of culture contained up to 145.1 mg PHB. The highest PHB accumulation based on the cell dry weight was in an experiment with aeration and CO 2 addition. The intracellular level of PHB was up to 21.5% cell dry weight after 8 days. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9663-6 Authors Sandra Mareike Haase, Institute for Biological Production Systems, Leibniz University of Hanover, Herrenhäuser Straße 2, 30419 Hanover, Germany Bernhard Huchzermeyer, Institute of Botany, Leibniz University of Hanover, Hanover, Germany Thomas Rath, Institute for Biological Production Systems, Leibniz University of Hanover, Herrenhäuser Straße 2, 30419 Hanover, Germany Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Experiments were conducted on tomato to study the potential of brown alga Sargassum johnstonii as a biofertilizer. Seaweed extract was applied as a foliar spray, soil drench, and soil drench + foliar spray to assess its effect on plant growth, yield, and concentration of lycopene and vitamin C. The main objective of the study was to enhance the biochemical constituents with neutraceutical and antioxidant values in tomato fruit. Different concentrations (0.1%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 2%, 6%, 8%, and 10%; v / v ) of seaweed extract were used and growth was observed over a period of 7 months. A total of 14 sprays/drenches were applied at 15-day intervals during the entire vegetative and reproductive phase. A statistically significant increase in vegetative growth (plant height, shoot length, root length, and number of branches), reproductive parameters (flower number, fruit number, and fresh weight), and biochemical constituents (photosynthetic pigments, proteins, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, starch, phenols, lycopene, and vitamin C) was recorded following all three methods of treatment at higher concentrations of seaweed extract. The study also reports auxin- and cytokinin-like activity, and the presence of macro- (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn), in seaweed extract of S. johnstonii , which makes it a potential biofertilizer. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9651-x Authors Reeta Kumari, Environmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007 India Inderdeep Kaur, Environmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007 India A. K. Bhatnagar, Environmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007 India Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    High annual microalgae productivities can only be achieved if solar light is efficiently used through the different seasons. During winter the productivity is low because of the light and temperature conditions. The productivity and photosynthetic efficiency of Chlorella sorokiniana were assessed under the worst-case scenario found during winter time in Huelva, south of Spain. The maximum light intensity (800 μmol photons m -2 s -1 ) and temperature (20°C) during winter were simulated in a lab-scale photobioreactor with a short light-path of 14 mm. Chemostat conditions were applied and the results were compared with a temperature-controlled situation at 38°C (optimal growth temperature for C. sorokiniana ). When temperature was optimal the highest productivity was found at a dilution rate of 0.18 h -1 ( P v  = 0.28 g Kg -1 h -1 ), and the biomass yield on light energy was high ( Y x,E  = 1.2 g mol -1 photons supplied). However, at suboptimal temperature, the specific growth rate of C. sorokiniana was surprisingly low, not being able to support continuous operation at a dilution rate higher than 0.02 h -1 . The slow metabolism under suboptimal temperature resulted in a decline of the light energy requirements of the cells. Consequently, the maximum winter irradiance was experienced as excessive, leading to a low photosynthetic efficiency and productivity ( Y x,E  = 0.5 g mol -1 photons supplied, P v  = 0.1 g Kg -1 h -1 ). At suboptimal temperature a higher carotenoid-to-chlorophyll ratio was observed indicating the activation of light-dissipating processes. We conclude that temperature control and/or light dilution during winter time will enhance the productivity. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9687-y Authors María Cuaresma Franco, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands Marieke F. Buffing, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands Marcel Janssen, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands Carlos Vílchez Lobato, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), University of Huelva, Parque Dunar, 21760 Huelva, Spain René H. Wijffels, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides can be extracted from the brown seaweed, Sargassum sp. It has been reported that fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharides from brown seaweeds exert different beneficial biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and anti-viral effects. Classical extraction of fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides from brown seaweed species typically involves extended, multiple-step, hot acid, or CaCl 2 treatments, each step lasting several hours. In this work, we systematically examined the influence of acid concentration (HCl), time, and temperature on the yield of fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (FCSPs) in statistically designed two-step and single-step multifactorial extraction experiments. All extraction factors had significant effects on the fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides yield, with the temperature and time exerting positive effects, and the acid concentration having a negative effect. The model defined an optimized single-step FCSPs extraction procedure for Sargassum sp. (a brown seaweed). A maximal fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides yield of ∼7% of the Sargassum sp. dry matter was achieved by the optimal extraction procedure of: 0.03 M HCl, 90°C, 4 h. HPAEC-PAD analysis confirmed that fucose, galactose, and glucuronic acid were the major constituents of the polysaccharides obtained by the optimized method. Lower polysaccharide yield, but relatively higher fucose content was obtained with shorter extraction time. The data also revealed that classical multi-step extraction with acid ≥0.2 M HCl at elevated temperature and extended time had a detrimental effect on the FCSPs yield as this treatment apparently disrupted the structural integrity of the polymer and evidently caused degradation of the carbohydrate chains built up of fucose residues. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9690-3 Authors Marcel Tutor Ale, Center for Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Søltofts Plads—Building 229, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark Jørn Dalgaard Mikkelsen, Center for Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Søltofts Plads—Building 229, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark Anne S. Meyer, Center for Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Søltofts Plads—Building 229, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), an environmentally friendly technique, has been used to obtain antiviral compounds from microalgae commonly used as carotenoid sources: Haematococcus pluvialis and Dunaliella salina . The antiviral properties of PLE extracts (hexane, ethanol and water) were evaluated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) at different stages during viral infection. Pretreatment of Vero cells with 75 μg mL −1 of H. pluvialis ethanol extract inhibited virus infection by approximately 85%, whereas the same concentration of water and hexane extracts reduced the virus infectivity 75% and 50%, respectively. D. salina extracts were less effective than H. pluvialis extracts and presented a different behaviour since water and ethanol extracts produced a similar virus inhibition (65%). Moreover, H. pluvialis ethanol extract was also the most effective against HSV-1 intracellular replication. The antiviral activity of water PLE extracts was found to correlate with polysaccharides since the polysaccharide-rich fraction isolated from these extracts showed higher antiviral activity than the original water extracts. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) characterization of the H. pluvialis ethanol extract showed the antiviral activity of this extract could be partially related with the presence of short-chain fatty acids, although other compounds could be involved in this activity; meanwhile, in the case of D. salina ethanol extract other compounds seemed to be implied, such as: β-ionone, neophytadiene, phytol, palmitic acid and α-linolenic acid. The results demonstrate the use of PLE allows obtaining antiviral compounds from microalgae used as carotenoids sources, which gives the microalgae biomass an added value. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9692-1 Authors Susana Santoyo, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), Instituto mixto UAM-CSIC, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain Laura Jaime, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), Instituto mixto UAM-CSIC, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain Merichel Plaza, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), Instituto mixto UAM-CSIC, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain Miguel Herrero, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), Instituto mixto UAM-CSIC, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain Irene Rodriguez-Meizoso, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), Instituto mixto UAM-CSIC, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain Elena Ibañez, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), Instituto mixto UAM-CSIC, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain Guillermo Reglero, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), Instituto mixto UAM-CSIC, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    To investigate the carbon metabolism and energy conversion efficiency of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 under mixotrophic conditions, we studied its growth characteristics in mixotrophic cultures with glucose and with acetate, respectively, and further discussed the carbon metabolism and energy utilization based on metabolic flux analysis. Results showed that both glucose and acetate could enhance the growth of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942. The metabolic flux through the glycolytic pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was affected by the two organic substrates. Additionally, the cellular composition was also modulated by glucose and acetate. Under mixotrophic conditions, glucose exerts more significant impact on the diminishment of photochemical efficiency. Although the contribution of light energy was smaller, the cell yields based on total energy in mixotrophic cultures were higher compared with that of photoautotrophic one. On the basis of chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, the actual energy conversion efficiencies based on ATP synthesis in the photoautotrophic, glucose-mixotrophic, and acetate-mixotrophic cultures were evaluated to be 4.59%, 5.86%, and 6.60%, respectively. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9683-2 Authors Riming Yan, Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022 China Du Zhu, Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022 China Zhibin Zhang, Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022 China Qingui Zeng, Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Subtropic Plant Resources of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022 China Ju Chu, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The effects of organic carbon sources on cell growth and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production of dissociated Nostoc flagelliforme cells under mixotrophic batch culture were investigated. After 7 days of cultivation, glycerol, acetate, sucrose, and glucose increased the final cell density and final EPS concentrations, and mixotrophic growth achieved higher biomass concentrations. The increase in cell growth was particularly high when glucose was added as the sole carbon source. On the other hand, EPS production per dry cell weight was significantly enhanced by adding acetate. For more effective EPS production, the effects of the mixture of glucose and acetate were investigated. Increasing the ratio of glucose to acetate resulted in higher growth rate with BG-11 medium and higher EPS productivity with BG-11 0 medium (without NaNO 3 ). When the medium was supplemented with a mixture of glucose (4.0 g L −1 ) and acetate (2.0 g L −1 ), 1.79 g L −1 biomass with BG-11 medium and 879.6 mg L −1 of EPS production with BG-11 0 medium were achieved. Adopting this optimal ratio of glucose to acetate established in flask culture, the culture was also conducted in a 20-L photobioreactor with BG-11 medium for 7 days. A maximum biomass of 2.32 g L −1 was achieved, and the EPS production was 634.6 mg L −1 . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9684-1 Authors Haifeng Yu, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Shandong Institute of Light Industry, Jinan, Shandong 250353, China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    In this study, three alginate fractions with different molecular weights and ratios of mannuronic acid (M) to guluronic acid (G) were prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrafiltration to assess the antioxidant property of alginates from Laminaria japonica with molecular weight below 10 kDa. The antioxidant properties of different molecular weight alginates were evaluated by determining the scavenging abilities on superoxide, hydroxyl, and hypochlorous acid and inhibitory effect on Fe 2+ -induced lipid peroxidation in yolk homogenate. The results showed that low molecular weight alginates exhibited high scavenging capacities on superoxide, hydroxyl, and hypochlorous acid radicals and good inhibition of Fe 2+ -induced lipid peroxidation in yolk. By comparison, alginate A1 with molecular weight below 1 kDa and M/G of 1.84 had better scavenging activity on superoxide, hydroxyl, and hypochlorous acid radicals in vitro than A2 (1–6 kDa), A3 (6–10 kDa), ascorbic acid, and carnosine. With similar M/G ratio, A2 exhibited better antioxidant activity on superoxide and hypochlorous acid radicals than A3. However, fraction A3 with molecular weight of 6–10 kDa exhibited higher inhibitory ability on lipid peroxidation in yolk in vitro than A1 and A2. The results indicated that molecular weight played a more important role than M/G ratio on alginate to determine the antioxidant ability. By comparison, low molecular weight alginates composed of guluronic acid and mannuronic acid exhibited better antioxidant ability on oxygen free radicals than sulfated polysaccharides from L. japonica in our previous study and represent a good source of marine polysaccharide with potential application as natural antioxidant. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9679-y Authors Xue Zhao, College of Food Science and Technology, Ocean University of China, No.5, Yu Shan Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266003, People’s Republic of China Bafang Li, College of Food Science and Technology, Ocean University of China, No.5, Yu Shan Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266003, People’s Republic of China Changhu Xue, College of Food Science and Technology, Ocean University of China, No.5, Yu Shan Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266003, People’s Republic of China Liping Sun, College of Food Science and Technology, Ocean University of China, No.5, Yu Shan Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266003, People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The effect of seaweed liquid extract (SLE) of Sargassum wightii on germination, growth and yield of Triticum aestivum var. Pusa Gold was studied. Application of a lower concentration (20%) of SLE enhanced the percentage of seed germination, growth and yield, as measured by kernel number and seed dry weight. All growth and yield parameters were found to be highest at the 20% concentration SLE treatment. Total (100%) seed germination was observed for the 20% concentration SLE treatment, an 11% increase over the control. The present study demonstrated that seaweed liquid extract could serve as an alternative biofertilizer as is eco-friendly, cheaper, deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits to farmers. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9660-9 Authors Gaurav Kumar, Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India Dinabandhu Sahoo, Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    In order to effectively prepare useful components from Sargassum coreanum , enzyme-assisted extraction was adapted to extraction processing of the seaweed. Our previous studies have shown that Neutrase extract of S. coreanum exhibited the strongest antioxidant activities among ten enzymatic extracts. It is reported that many antioxidant substances have anticancer or anticarcinogenic properties. Thus, Neutrase extract, which possessed a strong antioxidant activity in the previous study, was separated into four different molecular weight fractions (〈5, 5–10, 10–30, and 〉30 kDa) which were screened for inhibitory activities against cancer cell growth. The 〉30-kDa fraction inhibited cell growth more than the other fractions. We separated crude polysaccharide (CPS) from the 〉30-kDa fraction to show that CPS increased DNA fragmentation, apoptotic body, and apoptotic cells with hypodiploid DNA contents in HL-60 cells. This indicates that CPS suppressed the growth of cells through apoptosis. The CPS gradually increased the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and led to the activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The CPS was 40.85% fucose, 27.24% galactose, and 12.99% glucose, as analyzed by bio-liquid chromatography. These findings suggest that apoptosis effect can be mediated by CPS in HL-60 cells. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9685-0 Authors Seok-Chun Ko, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Seung-Hong Lee, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Ginnae Ahn, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Kil-Nam Kim, Jeju Biodiversity Research Institute (JBRI), Jeju Hi-Tech Industry Development Institute (HiDI), Jeju, 697-943 South Korea Seon-Heui Cha, Marine Bio Research Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Se-Kwon Kim, Department of Chemistry, Pukyoung National University, Busan, 608-737 South Korea Byong-Tae Jeon, Korean Nokyong Research Center, College of Medicine Konkuk University, Chungju, 380-701 South Korea Pyo-Jam Park, Department of Biotechnology, College of Medicine Konkuk University, 322 Danwol-dong, Chungju, 380-701 South Korea Ki-Wan Lee, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea You-Jin Jeon, Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The effects of organic carbon sources on cell growth and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production of dissociated Nostoc flagelliforme cells under mixotrophic batch culture were investigated. After 7 days of cultivation, glycerol, acetate, sucrose, and glucose increased the final cell density and final EPS concentrations, and mixotrophic growth achieved higher biomass concentrations. The increase in cell growth was particularly high when glucose was added as the sole carbon source. On the other hand, EPS production per dry cell weight was significantly enhanced by adding acetate. For more effective EPS production, the effects of the mixture of glucose and acetate were investigated. Increasing the ratio of glucose to acetate resulted in higher growth rate with BG-11 medium and higher EPS productivity with BG-11 0 medium (without NaNO 3 ). When the medium was supplemented with a mixture of glucose (4.0 g L −1 ) and acetate (2.0 g L −1 ), 1.79 g L −1 biomass with BG-11 medium and 879.6 mg L −1 of EPS production with BG-11 0 medium were achieved. Adopting this optimal ratio of glucose to acetate established in flask culture, the culture was also conducted in a 20-L photobioreactor with BG-11 medium for 7 days. A maximum biomass of 2.32 g L −1 was achieved, and the EPS production was 634.6 mg L −1 . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9684-1 Authors Haifeng Yu, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Shandong Institute of Light Industry, Jinan, Shandong 250353, China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    A total of 3,631 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were established from two size-selected cDNA libraries made from the tetrasporophytic phase of the agarophytic red alga Gracilaria tenuistipitata . The average sizes of the inserts in the two libraries were 1,600 bp and 600 bp, with an average length of the edited sequences of 850 bp. Clustering gave 2,387 assembled sequences with a redundancy of 53%. Of the ESTs, 65% had significant matches to sequences deposited in public databases, 11% to proteins without known function, and 35% were novel. The most represented ESTs were a Na/K-transporting ATPase, a hedgehog-like protein, a glycine dehydrogenase and an actin. Most of the identified genes were involved in primary metabolism and housekeeping. The largest functional group was thus genes involved in metabolism with 14% of the ESTs; other large functional categories included energy, transcription, and protein synthesis and destination. The codon usage was examined using a subset of the data, and the codon bias was found to be limited with all codon combinations used. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9681-4 Authors Pi Nyvall Collén, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Jonas Collén, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Marcelo da Silva Reis, Departement of mathematics and statistics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Marianne Pedersén, Department of Botany, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden João C. Setubal, Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA Alessandro M. Varani, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Pio Colepicolo, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Mariana C. Oliveira, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The kelp Undariopsis peterseniana is warm-water-tolerant, and consequently, there is currently considerable interest in developing commercial cultivation techniques for this species in Korea. U . peterseniana plants have been successfully transferred to the northern coast of Korea beyond their original habitat in Jeju Island (33°30′08.65″N, 126°55′39.02″E). In this study, we cultured a hybrid kelp consisting of a cross between free-living gametophytes of U. peterseniana and U. pinnatifida in an attempt to extend the culture period of Undaria which is an important species for both the abalone industry and for commercial seaweed mariculture for human food applications. Morphological characters and cultivation period were compared between the parent thalli and the hybrid. The cultivation experiment was conducted in Wando, on the southern coast of Korea (34°26′18.68″N, 127°05′43.88″E). The morphological characteristics of the hybrid thalli were intermediate between the two species having shallow pinnated blades and a reduced reproductive organ. Hybrid thalli showed faster growth rates, 1.5 times greater biomass, and a longer cultivation period than the parent thalli. The hybrid strain possessed characteristics that indicate it could be used as an alternative kelp source to supply the abalone feed industry. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9727-7 Authors Eun Kyoung Hwang, Seaweed Research Center, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Mokpo, 530-831 South Korea Yong Gun Gong, Seaweed Research Center, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Mokpo, 530-831 South Korea Chan Sun Park, Department of Marine and Fisheries Resources, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, 534-729 South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    There is overwhelming evidence that microalgae would be the logical source of oils for biodiesel production, the best option for CO 2 sequestration and numerous other applications. However, this apparent lucrative approach is still in its infancy. In order to impact on global energy needs, bioremediation and other potential applications, vast quantities of biomass must be produced at a reliable rate and as cost-effective as possible. When extrapolating volumetric rates from laboratory or small-scale outdoor cultures to large-scale outdoor areal production rates, it becomes apparent that many of the potential claims are either misleading or still only a dream. Open raceway ponds are at present the only feasible culture system for the production of millions of tons of biomass. To date, at best photosynthetic efficiencies of around 1.2% have been achieved, but with present understanding and know-how efficiencies of double that should be achievable, especially when vertical mixing is increased in raceway ponds. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9728-6 Authors Johan U. Grobbelaar, Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Microalgae are a promising alternative source of oil for biodiesel production. Identification of a species with desirable characteristics is a key component towards achieving economic feasibility for the process. This has been compromised by a lack of data allowing effective interspecies comparison. Eleven species of microalgae, selected on the basis of available literature data, were tested for lipid productivity, gravity sedimentation and the suitability of their fatty acid profiles for biodiesel production. The response to nitrogen limitation was species-specific. Lipid yields and productivity were higher at 150 mg L −1 nitrate than at 1,500 mg L −1 for all species tested except Spirulina platensis . The Chlorophyta, particularly Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus , had the highest growth rates and showed the greatest increase in lipid content in response to nitrogen limitation. Cylindrotheca fusiformis , S. platensis , Scenedesmus and Tetraselmis suecica had the fastest settling rates and highest biomass recoveries after 24 h of gravity sedimentation. For most species, the fuel would need to be blended or culture conditions to be optimised to achieve the correct lipid profile in order for microalgal fuel to meet the European standards for biodiesel production (EN 14214). The most promising species overall were the freshwater algae Scenedesmus and C. vulgaris and the marine algae C. fusiformis and Nannochloropsis . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9723-y Authors Melinda J. Griffiths, Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa Robert P. van Hille, Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa Susan T. L. Harrison, Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    DNA sequencing methods have been used for the molecular taxonomic discrimination of dinoflagellate protists, particularly using partial 18S rRNA sequences. This study evaluated the taxonomic discrimination power of rRNA gene hypervariable regions (V1 to V9) in dinoflagellates from a large dataset. These included 77 dinoflagellate species (9 orders, 17 families, 40 genera). The complete 18S rRNA sequences of the dinoflagellates ranged from 1,787 to 1,813 bp in length, and consisted of eight V regions with a total combined length of 678 to 699 bp. Regions longer than 100 bp were recoded for V2, V4, and V8 regions; high nucleotide divergences were detected in V1, V2, and V4 regions. Statistic tests showed that the divergences of individual V regions were significantly different ( t -test, P  〈 0.05) compared with the complete 18S rRNA. The V2 region showed the highest score (83.5%) for PI sites. Moreover, intra-genus DNA similarities of the V2 were considerably low (〈93%). Neighbor-joining analyses showed that phylogenetic resolution in the V2–V4 region was 1.32-fold higher than that of the complete 18S rRNA. These results demonstrate that V2 has the highest taxonomic resolving power within the 18S rRNA gene of dinoflagellates, suggesting the V2 and adjacent regions (e.g., V1 to V4) may be the best for marker considerations. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9730-z Authors Jang-Seu Ki, Department of Green Life Science, Sangmyung University, Seoul, 110-743 South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    In large-scale microalgal production in tubular photobioreactors, the build-up of O 2 along the tubes is one of the major bottlenecks to obtain high productivities. Oxygen inhibits the growth, since it competes with carbon dioxide for the Rubisco enzyme involved in the CO 2 fixation to generate biomass. The effect of oxygen on growth of Nannochloropsis sp. was experimentally determined in a fully controlled flat-panel photobioreactor operated in turbidostat mode using an incident photon flux density of 100 μmol photons m −2 s −1 and with only the oxygen concentration as variable parameter. The dissolved oxygen concentration was varied from 20 to 250% air saturation. Results showed that there was no clear effect of oxygen concentration on specific growth rate (mean of 0.48 ± 0.40 day −1 ) upon increasing the oxygen concentration from 20% to 75% air saturation. Upon further increasing the oxygen concentration, however, a linear decrease in specific growth rate was observed, ranging from 0.48 ± 0.40 day −1 at a dissolved oxygen concentration of 75% air saturation to 0.18 ± 0.01 day −1 at 250% air saturation. In vitro data on isolated Rubisco were used to predict the quantum yield at different oxygen concentrations in the medium. The predicted decrease in quantum yield matches well with the observed decrease that was measured in vivo. These results indicate that the effect of oxygen on growth of Nannochloropsis sp. at low light intensity is only due to competitive inhibition of the Rubisco enzyme. At these sub-saturating light conditions, the presence of high concentrations of oxygen in the medium induced slightly higher carotenoid content, but the increased levels of this protective antioxidant did not diminish the growth-inhibiting effects of oxygen on the Rubisco. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9706-z Authors Sayam Raso, Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, P. O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands Bernard van Genugten, Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, P. O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands Marian Vermuë, Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, P. O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands René H. Wijffels, Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, P. O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Many algal extracts/preparations have been used in nutritional supplements and cosmetics for many decades, notably Dunaliella, Spirulina, Chlorella, Haematococcus, and numerous kelp species. However, the road to acceptance and use of preparations from new species is long, and there are many barriers to overcome. This article outlines what is needed to achieve acceptance from the perspective of a large marketer and manufacturer of a wide variety of consumer products. Real-life applications are used to show the required and desired information that must flow between the raw material supplier and the manufacturer to effectively bring a new material to the marketplace. The viewpoints of many different levels of the organization are considered including: product formulators with their focus on efficacy (of special interest are results from human clinical trials), mechanisms of action and performance of the ingredient in their formulations; quality assurance that looks for consistency and reliability of the ingredient; regulatory personnel that require assurance and documentation that an ingredient is acceptable in markets around the world; and procurement that requires adequacy of supply to fulfill market demand along with competitive pricing and reliable customer service. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9722-z Authors Kevin W. Gellenbeck, Nutrilite Health Institute, Amway Corp, 19600 6th Street, Lakeview, CA, USA 92567 Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Essential oils extracted by static vacuum simultaneous distillation–extraction (V-SDE) and conventional SDE from a green alga, Capsosiphon fulvescens , were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry. The essential oil extracted with V-SDE and SDE has totals of 151 and 140 compounds, respectively. A combined total of 208 compounds were identified and 81 volatiles were common in both extracts. These included 8 acids, 28 alcohols, 34 aldehydes, 11 esters, 25 ketones, 19 aliphatic hydrocarbons, 43 branched hydrocarbons, 6 unsaturated hydrocarbons, 19 cyclic hydrocarbons, and 15 miscellaneous. The major volatile compounds of the oil extracted with V-SDE were ( E )-β-ionone, octane, ( E , E )-2,4-heptadienal, hexadecanoic acid, and β-cyclocitral, while those extracted with SDE were hexadecanoic acid, ( Z , Z )-1,5-octadien-3-ol, tetradecanoic acid, ( E , E )-2,4-heptadienal, and benzaldehyde. The characteristics of the flavor of the green alga might be contributed by the presence of a large number of aldehydes and ketones. Many of the compounds extracted with SDE might originate from thermal degradation and/or thermal interactions among the constituents in the alga during steam distillation. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9724-x Authors Sang-Mi Sun, Department of Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, Chonnam 550-749, South Korea Gyu-Hwa Chung, Department of Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, Chonnam 550-749, South Korea Tai-Sun Shin, Department of Nutrition, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, Chonnam 550-749, South Korea Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The use of microalgae for biofuel production has the potential to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Ideal candidate species of microalgae for bio-oil production need both relatively high growth rates and lipid content. Here, we report on the effects of temperature, nutrients (N, Si), and salinity on growth rates and lipid content of the common freshwater diatom, Fragilaria capucina (Desm), isolated from western Lake Erie. At low NaCl salinity, growth rate increased rapidly from 10 to 20°C, and then further increased slowly from 20 to 30°C, with a maximum specific growth rate of 0.61 day −1 . Growth rate declined with increasing salinity (e.g., reduced by ca. 50 and 100% at 137 and 274 mmol L −1 NaCl, respectively), and increased with increased N and Si concentration until ca. 100 μmol L −1 for each (with 〉85% of maximum growth rate at 10 μmol L −1 ). Lipid content (% total lipid per dry mass) in nutrient-replete cultures was 14% and (1) increased to 〉30% at low N and, especially, low Si; (2) was lower at 30°C vs. 20 or 10°C; and (3) decreased with salinity. Thus, F. capucina accumulates lipid to high levels even under N, Si, and temperature levels that permit a high growth rate for this species, and hence, this species is a candidate for use in biofuel production. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9732-x Authors Justin D. Chaffin, Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606, USA Sasmita Mishra, Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606, USA Rachel M. Kuhaneck, Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606, USA Scott A. Heckathorn, Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606, USA Thomas B. Bridgeman, Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606, USA Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    A bioreactor system for biotoxin production was appraised against traditional methods of growing dinoflagellate cultures. In an optimised bioreactor culture (5.4 L) operated in batch mode, growth of Karenia selliformis was more efficient than in 15-L bulk carboy culture in terms of growth rate ( μ  = 0.07 day −1 versus 0.05 day −1 ) and growth maximum ( G max , 169.10 6 versus 41.10 6 cells L −1 ). Maximal gymnodimine concentration (1200 μg L −1 ) in bioreactor culture was 8-fold higher than in bulk carboy culture, and the yield per cell (pg cell −1 ) was 2-fold higher. Similarly the bioreactor batch culture of Alexandrium ostenfeldii performed more efficiently than carboy cultures in terms of growth rate (1.6-fold higher), growth maximum (15-fold higher) and desmethyl C spirolide (SPX-desMe-C) yield (5-fold higher [μg L −1 ], though the yield [pg cell −1 basis] was lower). When bioreactor cultures of K. selliformis were operated in continuous mode, the yield of gymnodimine was substantially higher than a carboy or the bioreactor run in batch mode to growth max (793 μg day −1 over 58 days in continuous culture was achieved versus an average of 60 μg day −1 [carboy over 40 days] or 249 μg day −1 [batch mode] over 26 days). Likewise in continuous bioreactor cultures of A. ostenfeldii run over 25 days, the yield of SPX-desMe-C (29 μg day −1 ) was substantially higher than in same cultures run in batch mode or carboys (10.2 day −1 and 7.7 μg day −1 respectively). Similarly 5.4 L bioreactor batch cultures of K. brevisulcata reached 3.8-fold higher cell densities than carboy cultures, and when operated in continuous mode, the brevisulcatic acids were more efficiently produced than in batch culture (12 μg day −1 versus 7 μg day −1 ). When the bioreactor system was upscaled to 52 L, the maximum cell densities and toxin yields of K. brevisulcata cultures were somewhat less than those achieved in the smaller reactor, which was attributed to reduced light penetration. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9726-8 Authors Veronica Beuzenberg, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson, New Zealand Douglas Mountfort, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson, New Zealand Patrick Holland, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson, New Zealand Feng Shi, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand Lincoln MacKenzie, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson, New Zealand Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Advanced optical instruments can serve for analysis and manipulation of individual living cells and their internal structures. We have used Raman microspectroscopic analysis for assessment of β-carotene concentration in algal lipid bodies (LBs) in vivo. Some algae contain β-carotene in high amounts in their LBs, including strains which are considered useful in biotechnology for lipid and pigment production. We have devised a simple method to measure the concentration of β-carotene in a mixture of algal storage lipids from the ratio of their Raman vibrations. This finding may allow fast acquisition of β-carotene concentration valuable, e.g., for Raman microspectroscopy assisted cell sorting for selection of the overproducing strains. Furthermore, we demonstrate that β-carotene concentration can be proportional to LB volume and light intensity during the cultivation. We combine optical manipulation and analysis on a microfluidic platform in order to achieve fast, effective, and non-invasive sorting based on the spectroscopic features of the individual living cells. The resultant apparatus could find its use in demanding biotechnological applications such as selection of rare natural mutants or artificially modified cells resulting from genetic manipulations. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9754-4 Authors Zdeněk Pilát, Institute of Scientific Instruments of the AS CR, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 147, 61264 Brno, Czech Republic Silvie Bernatová, Institute of Scientific Instruments of the AS CR, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 147, 61264 Brno, Czech Republic Jan Ježek, Institute of Scientific Instruments of the AS CR, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 147, 61264 Brno, Czech Republic Mojmír Šerý, Institute of Scientific Instruments of the AS CR, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 147, 61264 Brno, Czech Republic Ota Samek, Institute of Scientific Instruments of the AS CR, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 147, 61264 Brno, Czech Republic Pavel Zemánek, Institute of Scientific Instruments of the AS CR, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 147, 61264 Brno, Czech Republic Ladislav Nedbal, Global Change Research Centre of the AS CR, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Bělidla 986/4a, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic Martin Trtílek, Photon Systems Instruments, Drásov 470, 664 24 Drásov, Czech Republic Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description: Erratum to: Effect of seaweed extracts and plant growth regulators on high-frequency in vitro mass propagation of Lycopersicon esculentum L (tomato) through double cotyledonary nodal explant Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-2 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9748-2 Authors S. Vinoth, Department of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-24, Tamil Nadu, India P. Gurusaravanan, Department of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-24, Tamil Nadu, India N. Jayabalan, Department of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-24, Tamil Nadu, India Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The aim of this study was to understand the growth dynamics of Saccharina japonica (previously known as Laminaria japonica) , particularly the portion lost during its growth cycle and the key factors that control loss rate in Sungo Bay, China. Growth and loss of S. japonica were investigated between January and July 2010 in Sungo Bay. Losses of the seaweed are typically the result of three factors: removal of the entire individual from mariculture ropes (falloff), breakage in sections of the thalli (breakoff), and erosion of distal tissue. Results showed that individual growth rates in wet weight ranged between 2.4 and 32.7 g day −1 . The total falloff rate was approximately 16% and took place during January and February. Breakoff rate showed a significant positive correlation with kelp length and took place during June and July. The erosion rate increased significantly from January to the end of April, reaching a maximum value of 20.4 g day −1 on 25 April, and maintained a relatively higher value following the peak value (approximately 10–15 g day −1 ). Erosion rates were positively correlated with temperature ( r  = 0.787, n  = 23, p  〈 0.01) before May; however, they were not significantly correlated with temperature from May to July ( p  = 〉0.05). There was no significant relationship between erosion and transparency. At the end of this experiment, the ratio of total loss of carbon and nitrogen to gross production was 61% and 54%, respectively. Loss from distal erosion, falloff, and breakoff in carbon was 91.5, 4.2, and 4.3%, respectively. In Sungo Bay, the annual gross production and total loss in carbon and nitrogen were estimated to be 58,652 t C and 3,506 t N, and 36,150 t C and 1,920 t N. This is expected to have a significant impact on the detritus available in the food chain. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9762-4 Authors Jihong Zhang, Department of Mariculture Ecology and Carrying Capacity Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 People’s Republic of China Jianguang Fang, Department of Mariculture Ecology and Carrying Capacity Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 People’s Republic of China Wei Wang, Department of Mariculture Ecology and Carrying Capacity Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 People’s Republic of China Meirong Du, Department of Mariculture Ecology and Carrying Capacity Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 People’s Republic of China Yaping Gao, Department of Mariculture Ecology and Carrying Capacity Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 People’s Republic of China Mingliang Zhang, Department of Mariculture Ecology and Carrying Capacity Laboratory, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The aims of this study were to characterise the composition of five seaweed species ( Ascophyllum nodosum , Fucus serratus , Fucus vesiculosus , Laminaria hyperborea and Sargassum muticum ), their extracts and commercial formulations, using thermogravimetry (TGA), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Analyses of the samples by TGA and EDX provided information on the proportions of algal cell wall, inorganic fractions and minerals. The main carbohydrate constituents of the five species and extracts were identified by their pyrolysis products, e.g. 1-(2-furanyl) ethanone, 5-methyl-2-furcarboxaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, diannhydromannitol, 1,6-anhydromannopyranose and 1,6-anhydromannofuranose, using Py-GC/MS. The differences in relative intensities of the infrared bands of the five species were enhanced, especially after acid extraction compared with alkaline or neutral treatments, resulting in improved understanding of the compositional changes. In addition four commercial formulations and two acidic extracts of A. nodosum were evaluated for composition using the techniques. The dry matter, pH, electrical conductivity, ash, carbon and nitrogen content of the six preparations showed significant differences in composition. Variations in fatty acid, alginic acid, mannitol, laminarin and fucoidan content of the six formulations were reported. The results have shown that TGA, EDX, Py-GC/MS and FTIR are complementary techniques for rapid evaluation of seaweed materials and products. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-17 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9744-6 Authors Sharma H. S. Shekhar, Plant Health and Environmental Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX UK G. Lyons, Plant Health and Environmental Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX UK C. McRoberts, Food Chemistry Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX UK D. McCall, Plant Health and Environmental Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX UK E. Carmichael, Plant Health and Environmental Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX UK F. Andrews, Plant Health and Environmental Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX UK R. McCormack, Food Chemistry Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX UK Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Different methods for estimating starch in Chlorella vulgaris were compared with the view of establishing a procedure suitable for rapid and accurate determination of starch content in this microalgal species. A close agreement was observed between methods that use perchloric acid and enzymatic methods that use α-amylase and amyloglucosidase to hydrolyze the starch of microalgae grown under different nitrogen culture conditions. Starch values obtained by these methods were significantly higher than those estimated by using hydrochloric acid as solubilizing and hydrolyzing agent. The enzymatic method (EM1) proved to be the most rapid and precise method for microalgal starch quantification. Furthermore, the evaluation of resistant starch by enzymatic methods assayed in nitrogen-sufficient and nitrogen-starved cells showed that no formation of this type of starch occurred in microalgae, meaning that this should not interfere with starch content determinations. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9761-5 Authors Bruno Fernandes, IBB—Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal Giuliano Dragone, IBB—Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal Ana P. Abreu, IBB—Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal Pedro Geada, IBB—Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal José Teixeira, IBB—Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal António Vicente, IBB—Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Field transfer experiments of periphytic diatom assemblages developed on artificial substrates were set up to assess the responses of those communities to environmental disturbances. The glass slides were positioned for colonization at the relatively unpolluted site (Red, in the Red River) and at the heavily polluted site (TL, in the To Lich River) in the beginning of the experiment. After a period of 2 weeks, the colonized glass slides were concomitantly transferred from the unpolluted Red site to the heavily polluted TL site and to the moderate polluted site (NT 2 , in the Nhue River) and, conversely, from the TL site to the Red site, and then to the NT 2 site. The responses and the adapting capacity of periphytic diatom communities to environmental changes were assessed through the cell density, diversity index, species richness, taxonomic composition, and diatom indices after 2 and 4 weeks of transfer periods. For all transfers except for the transfer from the Red to the TL site in which the growth inhibition of diatom cells was found, the diatom density significantly increased until the end of the experiment. Thus, the diatom communities have expressed their pollution tolerance or sensitivities by changing their composition to adapt themselves to environmental changes. Characteristic species of the Red site ( Gyrosigma scalproides , Navicula recens ) were replaced by Nitzschia palea, Nitzschia umbonata, Aulacoseira granulate typical species of the NT 2 site, in the biofilm transferred from the Red site to the NT 2 site. The relative abundances of typical diatom species of the Red site proliferated in the biofilm transferred from the TL site to the Red site. The replacement of periphytic diatom communities appeared after the transfer from the second week at the different sites. The slow shift of the species towards the typical species at the TL site could result from the organized structure of diatoms within biofilm before the transfer from the Red site to the TL site. The shifts in values of the Index of Specific Polluosensitivity and Diatom Assemblage Index to organic pollution throughout the experiment indicated the clear sensitivity of these indices to water quality changes. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9733-9 Authors Thi Thuy Duong, Institute of Environmental Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam Michel Coste, Cemagref, UR REBX, 50 Avenue de Verdun, 33612 Cestas Cedex, France Agnès Feurtet-Mazel, Université de Bordeaux 1, CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC, Place du Dr Peyneau, 33120 Arcachon, France Dinh Kim Dang, Institute of Environmental Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam Cuong Tu Ho, Institute of Environmental Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam Thi Phuong Quynh Le, Institute of Natural Product Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Green microalgae, due to their short growth cycle and to their ability to photosynthetically fix carbon dioxide producing an oil-rich biomass, have been proposed as an attractive alternative feedstock for the production of “second generation” biofuels. However, it has been anticipated that owing to their ability to colonize very different environments characterized by high levels of nitrogen, they can also be good candidates for bioremediation, thus integrating environmental protection with sustainable biomass production. We have isolated a strain belonging to Scenedesmus genus from urban wastewater. This isolate, Scenedesmus acutus PVUW12, was tested for its ability to grow and actively deplete eutrophicating inorganic molecules present in wastewater. In order to test its biomass productivity, the PVUW12 strain was grown in a vertical-column photobioreactor using standard growth medium obtaining a maximal productivity of 0.3 g dry weight L −1  d. When the same strain was grown in the photobioreactor filled with wastewater collected from the final step of the local urban purifier plant containing 18.8 mg L −1 nitrate, we observed complete nitrogen removal coupled with a biomass production of about 0.74 g dry weight L −1 within 3 days. After 10 days, the recovered biomass was analyzed for triglyceride content which was found to be 9.3% of the dry biomass. However, when algal cells were left for additional 10 days in static conditions the triglyceride content increased to 28.8%. These data show that this Scenedesmus strain can be used for wastewater bioremediation producing a biomass suitable for energy production. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9759-z Authors E. Doria, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1., 27100 Pavia, Italy P. Longoni, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1., 27100 Pavia, Italy L. Scibilia, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1., 27100 Pavia, Italy N. Iazzi, UN.E.CO Srl., Via Mameli 10., 27100 Pavia, Italy R. Cella, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1., 27100 Pavia, Italy E. Nielsen, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1., 27100 Pavia, Italy Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    This study aimed to optimize an extraction and separation procedure to obtain a concentrated fraction with antibacterial activity from the macroalga Ulva lactuca . Antibacterial compounds were extracted using eight solvents, and consistent activity against Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis and methicillin-resistant (MR) S. aureus was observed from a dilute (1:100, w/v ) ethyl acetate extract. Seasonal analysis revealed that antibacterial activity was the lowest in spring/summer and the highest in autumn/winter. Bioautography was found to be a more appropriate assay compared to disc diffusion when screening crude extracts, as it separates the masking compounds from the antibacterial compounds and a direct assessment of the bands responsible for the antibacterial effect could be made. The antibacterial compounds were first separated from the crude extract using preparative thin-layer chromatography, followed by column chromatography to obtain a semi-pure sub-fraction. Using this approach, the antibacterial compounds were successfully concentrated from a crude extract (300 μg) to semi-pure fractions (6 μg) in which antibacterial activities were greatly enhanced. This study also revealed that prolonged storage (9 months) under a nitrogen atmosphere at −20°C resulted in a considerable increase in antibacterial activity. This is the first report of seasonal assessment of antibacterial compounds from seaweeds collected in Ireland. In addition, an antibacterial fraction was successfully isolated from U. lactuca which exhibited potent anti-MR S. aureus activity. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9747-3 Authors Shiau Pin Tan, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland Laurie O’Sullivan, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland Maria Luz Prieto, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland Gillian E. Gardiner, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland Peadar G. Lawlor, Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co, Cork, Ireland Frank Leonard, Department of Computing, Maths and Physics, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland Patrick Duggan, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland Peter McLoughlin, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland Helen Hughes, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L, isolated from Antarctic coastal marine environments, was selected as a high lipid producer, which may be useful for biodiesel production. The lipophilic fluorescent dye BODIPY505/515 was used to determine the algal lipid content. Lipid bodies stained with BODIPY505/515 have a characteristic green fluorescence, and their volumes were determined using the sphere volume formula. In this study, lipid accumulation by Chlamydomonas ICE-L was analyzed under different cultivation conditions (nitrogen deficiency and UV-B radiation). The results demonstrated that nitrogen deficiency and UV-B radiation could significantly promote the accumulation of lipid content per cell. The highest yields of total lipid content (reaching 84 μL L −1 ) were obtained in full Provasoli medium after 12 days of cultivation, but not in the nitrogen-deficient medium. The inoculum used in this experiment was obtained from the late-exponential growth phase. The main reason was that the cell numbers in nitrogen-deficient medium had not increased and total lipid contents were offset by the lower growth rate. Considering the high lipid content in Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L, this alga might be a promising alternative species for production of microalgal oil for the production of renewable biodiesel in the future. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9746-4 Authors Shanli Mou, Key Laboratory of Marine Bioactive Substance, The First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061 China Dong Xu, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 China Naihao Ye, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 China Xiaowen Zhang, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 China Chengwei Liang, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042 China Qiang Liang, Key Laboratory of Marine Bioactive Substance, The First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061 China Zhou Zheng, Key Laboratory of Marine Bioactive Substance, The First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061 China Zhimeng Zhuang, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 China Jinlai Miao, Key Laboratory of Marine Bioactive Substance, The First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061 China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    This study focusses on the assimilation of carbon in concentrated municipal wastewater rich in organic carbon using the mixotrophic microalga Auxenochlorella protothecoides UMN280 with the addition of supplemental CO 2 . The entire growth period of A. protothecoides UMN280 can be characterized by three phases: first, a phase where algae grew in a mixotrophic-dominated mode; second, a transition phase; and last, a phase where algae grew in a photoautotrophic-dominated mode. In this study, it was found that light intensity had a strong effect on algal biomass production; the culture system would transfer from a mixotrophic-dominated mode to a photoautotrophic-dominated mode quicker under higher light intensities. The addition of CO 2 exhibited an important role in the photoautotrophic-dominated cultivation stage. At certain level of irradiance and certain range of CO 2 injection rate, higher CO 2 injection rate would result in a higher level of carbon fixation. It is clearly beneficial to inject exogenous CO 2 in the mixotrophic wastewater algae production system when a light source is available, such as during daylight hours. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9739-3 Authors Min Min, Center for Biorefining and Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA Bing Hu, Center for Biorefining and Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA Wenguang Zhou, Center for Biorefining and Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA Yecong Li, Center for Biorefining and Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA Paul Chen, Center for Biorefining and Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA Roger Ruan, Center for Biorefining and Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The marine cyanobacterium Phormidium valderianum BDU 140441 exhibited the ability to grow at 0.25 mM tannic acid, a known hindering chemical for microbial growth. The tannic acid-degrading ability of the organism is evident from the UV–visible absorption spectrum. In addition, the existence of tannase has been localized by activity staining, and its induction in activity upon tannic acid exposure was confirmed in native gel. The critical tannic acid metabolization enzymes tested for are polyphenol oxidase and esterases; both are well known for tannic acid degradation. Upon tannic acid exposure, increased activity of polyphenol oxidase and expression of few new isoforms of esterase were identified by activity staining. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9738-4 Authors Swaminathan Palanisami, National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024 Tamil Nadu, India Krishna Kannan, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA Uma Lakshmanan, National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024 Tamil Nadu, India Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The aims of this study were to characterise the composition of seaweed species and to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extracts as plant biostimulants. Five species ( Ascophyllum nodosum , Fucus serratus , Fucus vesiculosus , Laminaria hyperborea and Sargassum muticum ) of seaweed were harvested from Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland for the evaluation of polysaccharides, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), carbon, nitrogen, lipid, ash and mineral contents. The compositional analyses of the five species and their freeze-dried extracts were also carried out using thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. The concentration of IAA in the acid extracts of the five species ranged between 2.74 and 46.8 ng g −1 . The carbon, nitrogen, lipid and ash contents ranged between 25.0 and 38.6, 1.37%, and 3.16, 0.83%, and 3.98 and 18.10 and 47.68%, respectively. L. hyperborea and S. muticum contained the highest amounts of minerals. The biostimulant activities of acidic (pH 3.0), neutral (pH 6.5) and alkaline (pH 9.0) extracts were determined by mung bean bioassay. The alkaline extracts from F. vesiculosus and A. nodosum stimulated significantly ( P  〈 0.001) higher dry matter (DM, %) yield of the mung bean plants. The majority of the acidic extracts significantly ( P  〈 0.001) enhanced root formation on the mung bean stem cuttings compared to alkaline or neutral extracts. The acidic extracts of the five species, water control and a commercial product were evaluated as foliar feeds for pak choi plants using a hydroponic production system. The interaction of species, e.g. A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus and the two treatment dilutions on DM yield increases of pak choi were significant ( P  〈 0.05). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9737-5 Authors S. H. S. Sharma, Plant Health and Environment Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK G. Lyons, Plant Health and Environment Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK C. McRoberts, Food Chemistry Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK D. McCall, Plant Health and Environment Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK E. Carmichael, Plant Health and Environment Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK F. Andrews, Plant Health and Environment Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK R. Swan, Plant Health and Environment Protection Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK R. McCormack, Food Chemistry Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK R. Mellon, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Belfast, BT30 6JB UK Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description: Erratum to: Media optimization of Parietochloris incisa for arachidonic acid accumulation in an outdoor vertical tubular photobioreactor Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9749-1 Authors Hazel Tababa Guevarra, BioWing Co., Ltd, Minami-Oh-I 5-12-2, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-0013 Japan Seishiro Hirabayashi, BioWing Co., Ltd, Minami-Oh-I 5-12-2, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-0013 Japan Kazuyuki Inubushi, Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Matsudo, Chiba 271-8510, Japan Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    We investigated biogenic silica deposition in sporophytes of kelp, Saccharina japonica (Laminariaceae). Silicon content was measured in different sporophyte regions and there was a trend for the silicon content to increase longitudinally from the stipe-blade transition to apical regions. The transverse trend was for the content to be higher in the marginal region than in the medial region. The silicon content was also higher in the scar and sorus regions compared with the adjacent vegetative regions. High silicon content was detected in the margin of the disc and in the sorus region of cultured sporophyte discs. Moreover, rhodamine 123 staining suggested that silicon was deposited in the mouth of the marginal wound of the disc. Rhodamine 123 fluorescence was also detected in the paraphyses and mucilaginous caps of sori. These results suggest that silicon plays important roles in tissue protection and vegetative tissue wound healing. It is also suggested that silicon is required for the protection of reproductive tissues. We also discuss the physiological and ecological roles of biogenic silica deposition in kelp and its management in cultivated fields. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9750-8 Authors Hiroyuki Mizuta, Laboratory of Aquaculture Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato 3-1-1, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8611 Japan Hajime Yasui, Laboratory of Marine Industrial Science and Technology, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato 3-1-1, Hakodate, Hokkaido, 041-8611 Japan Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    A short questionnaire was devised during the 4th ISAP Conference in Halifax (2011) to gather some information on the algal eating habits of the participants. Responses were also collected from random members of the general public in Galway and Copenhagen. Most phycologists had eaten algae before (93%), but few conference participants ate it more regularly than per month. Responses of the general public were similar. A probability model tested the likelihood of a participant eating algae. Neither age nor nationality significantly influenced this probability, although gender increased the probability of eating algae regularly by 9% if the participant was male (at the 90% confidence limit). As hypothesised, being a conference attendee highly significantly increased the probability of eating algae by 22%, in comparison with non-conference attendees (i.e. the general public). The type of phycological research studied also had a significant effect. Researchers working with macroalgae were 22% more likely to eat algae, whereas microalgal researchers were 15% less likely to eat algae on a monthly or more regular basis. The main reasons for eating algae by both groups were ‘taste’, followed by ‘other’ (undefined) reasons, whereas the main reason for not eating algae in both groups was a ‘lack of availability’. Phycologists also ate algae for the perceived ‘health benefits’ (36%), whereas few members of the general public chose this option (13%). Consumption of red seaweeds was most popular (60% of phycologists and 71% of the general public), with Porphyra spp. most commonly preferred. In total, 27 genera of macroalgae and microalgae were recorded as eaten by questionnaire participants. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9760-6 Authors Maeve D. Edwards, Carna Research Station and the Irish Seaweed Research Group, The Ryan Institute, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland Susan Løvstad Holdt, The Seaweed Network of Denmark, Kirkebroen 23, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark Stephen Hynes, SEMRU, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The photosynthetic responses of Microcystis aeruginosa , Scenedesmus obliquus , and Cyclotella meneghiniana to temperature and light regimes were investigated. M. aeruginosa had a higher specific growth rate at 30°C than at 14 and 20°C. Its specific growth rate was the maximum among the three species at 30°C. This suggests that M. aeruginosa could predominate in a water body having high temperature. When exposed to high light, M. aeruginosa showed lower maximal photosystem II (PSII) quantum yield (Φ M ), operational PSII quantum yield ( F \text M ¢ ), and active reaction centers per excited cross section (RC/CS m ) than S. obliquus and C. meneghiniana . Moreover, after 2 h low light recovery at 14°C and 20°C, the recovery of Φ M , F \text M ¢ and RC/CS m in M. aeruginosa were less than the other two species. This indicates that the capacity of high light adaptation of M. aeruginosa is the lowest among the studied species at 14–20°C. When exposed to high light, C. meneghiniana had higher Φ M and F \text M ¢ lost and induced higher nonphotochemical quenching at 14–20°C. This suggests that C. meneghiniana developed a higher resistance to high light under low growth temperatures. M. aeruginosa showed the lowest light compensation point among these three species, which indicates that it could utilize low light more efficiently than the other two species. Cyclic electron flow around PSII may play a role in the photoprotective mechanism of all these three species. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9741-9 Authors Kui Xu, College of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079 Hubei, People’s Republic of China Haibo Jiang, College of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079 Hubei, People’s Republic of China Philippe Juneau, Départment des Sciences Biologiques, TOXEN, Ecotoxicology of Aquatic Microorganisms Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, Succursale Centre-ville, C.P. 8888, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada Baosheng Qiu, College of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079 Hubei, People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The variety described in this paper is rather a rare and interesting one. Locally called ‘endong’, this was discovered first in a farm in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines. During harvest, seaweed farmers used to mix this with ‘tambalang’ ( Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex Silva var. tambalang Doty, the ‘cottonii’ of commerce) because of the presumption of it producing the same carrageenan type as that of ‘tambalang’, viz., kappa-carrageenan. The two farmed varieties are similar in appearance. Complaints arose from seaweed processing plants when the resulting gelling properties (hard and brittle gel) expected of the kappa-carrageenan-producing ‘tambalang’ were not met. Because of its lax habit and long, smooth, and naked basal axes, ‘endong’ was initially thought to be related to ‘tambalang’ and differ from the farmed ‘spinosum’ ( Eucheuma denticulatum (Burman) Collins & Hervey) whose typical or common form has shorter axes covered from base to apex with spinous determinate (ramuli) or indeterminate branchlets arranged irregularly and in whorls at predictable interval. However, a closer look at ‘endong’ shows that it also has spinous branchlets arranged in whorls, but confined to the apical portion of the branches. Moreover, its internal axial anatomy shows rhizoidal filaments forming a core. Both characters fit well the distinguishing taxonomic criteria established for E. denticulatum . Chemical characterization of its carrageenan and the determination of its phylogenetic affinities support our morphological findings. Hence, we report and describe ‘endong’ as a rare variety, and we name it E. denticulatum (Burman) Collins & Hervey var. endong Trono & Ganzon-Fortes var. nov. Tips to distinguish ‘endong’ from ‘tambalang’ are included in this paper to aid seaweed farmers in separating the two during harvest. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9740-x Authors Edna T. Ganzon-Fortes, The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines Gavino C. Trono, The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines Ronald D. Villanueva, The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines Jumelita B. Romero, Mindanao State University—Tawi-Tawi, Bongao, 1702 Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Marco Nemesio E. Montaño, The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Commercial exploitation of Ascophyllum nodosum (rockweed) along the coast of Nova Scotia began in the late 1950s when it was used as a raw material for manufacturing alginate and “kelp” meal. Today, this resource is used as a biostimulant extract for crops and animal feed supplements and is the main economic resource of the seaweed industry in the Maritime Provinces and Canada. The management of rockweed, by dividing the resource into many sectors, permitted the assessment of yield per unit area of bed. In Nova Scotia, mechanical harvesting of A. nodosum operated on a pulse of 2- to 3-year schedule providing yields of 21.9 to 47.7 wet t ha −1 averaging 35.3 ± 7.6 wet t ha −1 . Acadian Seaplants Limited (ASL) has become the dominant player in the region since 1995 with more than 75% of the total biomass under its leases and more than 90% of the total landing of rockweed in the last 13 years. Sustained harvests at ASL leases and under an annual harvest schedule using hand cutting methods have averaged 17.4 ± 2.6 t ha −1 . Exploitation rates above 35% of the harvestable crop lead to a pulse harvest strategy and the need to move infrastructure year after year. In New Brunswick, a new approach to management began in 1995 with a regulated 17% exploitation rate. Thus, the yield in that province is 14.3 wet t ha −1 . The current summer standing crop for this region has been calculated at 352,723 wet t, covering an area of 4,960 ha, with an average biomass of 71.3 t ha −1 . The harvest in the region reached peak landings in 2010 with just over 40,100 t. The consistent yield per hectare of A. nodosum beds is proof of good management practices and an ecologically sustainable harvest in the Canadian Maritimes. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9753-5 Authors Raul Ugarte, Acadian Seaplants Limited, 30 Brown Avenue, Dartmouth, B3B1X8 Nova Scotia, Canada Glyn Sharp, Kiely Cove Marine Enterprises, 44 Duffy Dr McGraths Cove, Dartmouth, NS B3Z4B9, Canada Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Seasonal and intra-thallus variations of energy content and chemical composition were assessed in an intertidal population of Macrocystis in southern Chile. Phylloid protein and lipid from cultured material were compared with seasonal variation in native Macrocystis. Furthermore, populations in northern and southern Chile and Falkland Islands were compared with various intra-/inter-cultivar genotypes of Chilean Macrocystis . Energetic values did not show seasonal or intra-thallus variations, with the exception of pneumatocysts, which had high levels of ash (49.9% DW) and low values of total energy (8.3% DW). Seasonal patterns were detected in protein and carbohydrate composition, with opposite trends. Likewise, holdfasts contained high amounts of protein (21.0% DW), and phylloids were high in soluble carbohydrates (4.5% DW). Lipids instead showed two peaks per year in an intertidal population and reached up to 0.4% DW. Alginic acid was the major organic compound in intertidal Macrocystis (46.8% DW), with differences on seasonal and intra-thallus levels. Mannitol content, in contrast, was erratic and lower than in other Laminariales (〈5% DW). In general, protein and lipid content in our cultivars were 20% higher than in natural populations. Our experimental results indicate the possibility to manipulate the chemical composition of Macrocystis thalli through inter-/intra-specific crosses. This will be a basis, upon which selected genotypes can open new perspectives to Macrocystis mariculture industries in Chile. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9752-6 Authors Renato Westermeier, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Sede Puerto Montt, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile Pedro Murúa, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Sede Puerto Montt, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile David J. Patiño, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Sede Puerto Montt, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile Liliana Muñoz, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Sede Puerto Montt, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile Ailin Ruiz, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Sede Puerto Montt, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile Dieter G. Müller, Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Photobiological hydrogen production by the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been studied under laboratory conditions to a vast extend but has not been investigated under outdoor conditions yet. Because the hydrogen-producing hydrogenase is very sensitive to oxygen, the production must be performed in a two-stage process: generation of the required algal biomass under oxygenic photosynthesis, followed by hydrogen biosynthesis under anaerobic conditions. In order to design a sustainable process, cultivation and subsequent hydrogen production under cost-free sunlight was investigated in this work for the first time. First, cells were grown in closed photobioreactors under simulated outdoor conditions according to the light intensities of an idealized summer day (up to 2,000 μmol photons m −2  s −1 ) in order to achieve results independent of varying, and therefore not reproducible, weather conditions. The following outdoor experiments showed comparable growth characteristics and similar cell densities. However, the use of cells grown under outdoor, simulated outdoor, or high light conditions generally resulted in significantly lower hydrogen yields compared to the use of cells cultivated under low and continuous irradiance. In order to lower cultivation costs during the growth phase, the use of 10% CO 2 corresponding to the CO 2 content of flue gas was investigated. By supplying additional CO 2 during growth under the light profile corresponding to an idealized summer day, no significant increase of cell densities could be achieved, but the subsequent hydrogen production increased compared to hydrogen production of cells grown under atmospheric CO 2 . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9729-5 Authors Stephanie C. Geier, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich‐Alexander Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Strasse 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany Sabine Huyer, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich‐Alexander Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Strasse 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany Konstantin Praebst, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich‐Alexander Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Strasse 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany Moritz Husmann, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich‐Alexander Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Strasse 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany Christian Walter, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich‐Alexander Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Strasse 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany Rainer Buchholz, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Friedrich‐Alexander Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Strasse 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    A method was studied for marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) mitigation using clay, soil, or sand modified with xanthan and calcium hydroxide. Results showed that xanthan could trap and wrap Amphidinium carterae cells via bridging and netting interactions due to its superior salt compatibility in seawater. The maximum cell removal efficiency was 55% when xanthan was used alone. The removal effect of xanthan was enhanced by the addition of appropriate calcium hydroxide that decreased the repulsive interaction between anionic xanthan and negatively charged algal cells. Three kinds of minerals (clays, soils, and sands) were ineffective in removing algal cells before treatment. When xanthan and calcium hydroxide were used together as modifiers, the removal efficiency increased to 83–89% within 30 min using 300 mg L −1 clays, soils, or sands modified with 20 mg L −1 xanthan and 100 mg L −1 calcium hydroxide. After several hours, 95–98% cell removal was achieved and there was no significant difference in the removal efficiencies among clays, soils, and sands after being modified with xanthan and calcium hydroxide. Thus, the method would provide an alternative modification approach to suppress and mitigate HABs using local soils/sands and polymers in marine systems. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9751-7 Authors Jing Chen, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003 China Gang Pan, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10085 China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Microalgae are a rich source of high value compounds such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and bioactive compounds. In particular, microalgae have been identified as a potentially important resource for carbon-capture and as a feedstock for green biofuels. Successful cultivation of microalgae can occur under a variety of nutrient and environmental conditions with each condition producing a unique distribution of compounds. In order to steer the cultivation towards a particular distribution of compounds, rapid and accurate methods for compound identification are required. Current methods for determining the absolute quantity of each component are time consuming and arduous making cultivation optimization impractical. High-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy offers a robust and rapid screening method capable of ascertaining the absolute quantity of each component with minimal sample manipulation. Sample preparation consists of harvested, centrifuged and freeze-dried whole-cell Nannochloropsis granulata from large-scale photobioreactors being accurately weighed and rehydrated with deuterium oxide and placed in an HR-MAS rotor. One-dimensional HR-MAS NMR spectra were recorded under quantitative conditions to determine the lipid and carbohydrate profile of the microalgae. The total time per sample for preparation, data acquisition and analysis was approximately 1 h. Changes in resonance profiles corresponding to varying proportions of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were correlated to the time of harvest. In addition, standard two dimensional experiments were used to identify the major carbohydrate components. HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy has been used to profile the lipid and carbohydrate content of N. granulata and we have begun to establish methodologies for quality analysis/quality control for cultivation of various microalgal strains. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9731-y Authors Nadine Merkley, Institute for Marine Biosciences, National Research Council of Canada, 1411 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3Z1, Canada Raymond T. Syvitski, Institute for Marine Biosciences, National Research Council of Canada, 1411 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3Z1, Canada Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The improvement of water quality in Lake Tega, Japan, has been carried out by dilution, causing the shift of dominant species from Microcystis aeruginosa to Cyclotella sp. in summer. The disappearance of Microcystis blooms would be related to dilution, but the detail effect has not been understood yet. In this study, the effect of nitrate concentration on the competition between M. aeruginosa and Cyclotella sp. was investigated through the single-species and the competitive culture experiments. The single-species culture experiment indicated that the half saturation constants for M. aeruginosa and Cyclotella sp. were 0.016 and 0.234 mg N L −1 , representing that M. aeruginosa would possess a higher affinity to nitrate. On the other hand, the maximum growth rate for Cyclotella sp. was obtained as 0.418 day −1 , which did not represent a significant difference with 0.366 day −1 obtained for M. aeruginosa . The competitive culture experiment revealed that Cyclotella sp. completely dominated over M. aeruginosa at the nitrate concentrations of 0.5 and 2.5 mg N L −1 . The dominance of Cyclotella sp. could be attributed to the difference in the abilities of nitrate storage as well as nitrate uptake. One of the possibilities for the disappearance of Microcystis blooms caused by dilution as observed in Lake Tega could be due to the decrease in nitrate concentration, and the lower N:P ratio seemed not to relate to Microcystis blooms. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9718-8 Authors Yoshimasa Amano, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 263-8522 Japan Kosei Takahashi, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 263-8522 Japan Motoi Machida, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 263-8522 Japan Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Macroalgae have received much attention for heavy metal removal in treatment of domestic wastewater. In this report, the uptake capacity of a common freshwater green alga, Cladophora fracta , for heavy metal ions (copper, zinc, cadmium, and mercury) was evaluated. The equilibrium adsorption capacities were 2.388 mg Cu 2+ , 1.623 mg Zn 2+ , 0.240 mg Cd 2+ , and 0.228 mg Hg 2+ per gram of living algae at 18°C and pH 5.0. The removal efficiency for Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Hg 2+ were 99, 85, 97, and 98%, respectively. Greater removal efficiency was achieved when the concentrations of metal ions were at very low level. The results indicated that living algae are suitable for removal and recovery of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions and can be a potential tool to treat industrial wastewater. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9721-0 Authors Li Ji, School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 People’s Republic of China Shulian Xie, School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 People’s Republic of China Jia Feng, School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 People’s Republic of China Yanhui Li, School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 People’s Republic of China Le Chen, School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006 People’s Republic of China Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The benefits of using Acadian Marine Plant Extract Powder (AMPEP), obtained from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum , for improving growth of the red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii has been demonstrated by authors in the Philippines and Brazil, particularly for increasing daily growth rate and mitigation of epiphytes. However, the processes which occur have not been discussed. This study examined in vitro the relationship between those red algal defense mechanisms and K. alvarezii responses using AMPEP treatments. The administration of the extract reduced the effects of the oxidative burst (production of hydrogen peroxide) which may be extremely aggressive for an individual and its epiphyte. The bleaching of the non-corticated portions of Polysiphonia subtilissima thalli that were cultivated as simulated epiphytes with AMPEP samples confirmed that the reaction was evident in which AMPEP protected K. alvarezii from the hydrogen peroxide effects. It is proposed that the use of the brown seaweed powder AMPEP acts as a potential vaccine, eliciting activation of the red seaweed K. alvarezii natural defenses against pathogens and ameliorating the negative effects of long-term exposure to oxidative bursts. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9735-7 Authors Rafael Rodrigues Loureiro, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro CEP 22460-030, Brazil Renata Perpetuo Reis, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro CEP 22460-030, Brazil Flávia Diniz Berrogain, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro CEP 22460-030, Brazil Alan T. Critchley, Acadian Seaplants Limited, 30 Brown Avenue, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X8, Canada Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    The purpose of this study was to explore efficient methods of harvesting the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum . Natural sedimentation experiments, performed at different light and temperature conditions, did not yield significant improvements in efficiency even after 1 week. When alkalinity-induced flocculation was performed, both the flocculation efficiency and the concentration factor dramatically improved at pH = 9.75 (0.5–0.7 units over the original pH of the culture) after 10 min settling time. Sedimentation rates are documented at pH ranging between pH 9.75 and 11.0. The results of the application of two conventional flocculants used in wastewater treatment, polyaluminium chloride and aluminium sulphate, are also presented. Chitosan was also used as a natural flocculating agent to improve possible contamination problems in the downstream process. pH was adjusted in order to determine optimum flocculation efficiency of chitosan in combination with a high concentration factor. Satisfactory results were found with chitosan at an adjusted pH of 9.9 using concentrations as low as 20 mg L −1 , after testing a flocculant range of 5–200 mg L −1 . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9736-6 Authors Sema Şirin, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain Rosa Trobajo, Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology (IRTA), 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain Carles Ibanez, Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology (IRTA), 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain Joan Salvadó, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Multifunctional antioxidant potential of several brown and red edible seaweeds was evaluated in organic and aqueous soluble extracts. The great reduction power and radical scavenging activity of Bifurcaria bifurcata —a Sargassaceae brown algal species—in both organic and aqueous extracts were emphasized. In addition, two Gigartinaceae red algal species, Gigartina pistillata and Mastocarpus stellatus showed relatively high reduction power in the aqueous extracts. When all of the variables of the aqueous extracts were combined in a principal component analysis, a clear differentiation pattern among the tested seaweeds was observed. In the Phaeophyceae, the correlation found among reduction power, radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content is in favour of the involvement of phenolic compounds in the antioxidant mechanisms, whereas in the case of the Florideophyceae, the role of sulphate-containing polysaccharides in reduction power is presumably shown. Nevertheless, the evidence of some taxonomy-based clustering (class and order levels) in this study may prove that polyphenol and sulphate content, besides multifunctional antioxidant profile, are related to specific groups of seaweeds. This evidence could help the search of suitable sources of phytochemicals from seaweeds for further nutraceutical applications. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9742-8 Authors Antonio Jiménez-Escrig, Metabolism and Nutrition Department, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos y Nutrición (ICTAN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), José Antonio Novais 10, Ciudad Universitaria, ES-28040 Madrid, Spain Eva Gómez-Ordóñez, Metabolism and Nutrition Department, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos y Nutrición (ICTAN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), José Antonio Novais 10, Ciudad Universitaria, ES-28040 Madrid, Spain Pilar Rupérez, Metabolism and Nutrition Department, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos y Nutrición (ICTAN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), José Antonio Novais 10, Ciudad Universitaria, ES-28040 Madrid, Spain Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971

Description:    Seaweeds are a source of several biopolymers widely used in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals. Among them are sulfated polysaccharides, which have several biological/pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant and anticoagulant activities. In the present study, four sulfated polysaccharides, denominated CCB-F0.3, CCB-F0.5, CCB-F1.0, and CCB-F2.0, were obtained from the chlorophyte Caulerpa cupressoides var. flabellata through proteolytic digestion, followed by acetone fractionation and molecular sieving in Sephadex G-100. Chemical analyses showed that CCB-F0.5 had the highest sulfate/sugar ratio (0.73), whereas CCB-F1.0 exhibited the lowest ratio (0.23). Polysaccharides from C. cupressoides displayed a heterogeneous constitution of monosaccharides, with galactose as the main sugar unit (except for CCB-F2.0). The presence of sulfated polysaccharides was confirmed by electrophoretic and infrared analyses. Sulfated polysaccharides showed no activity in superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging; however, they did demonstrate total antioxidant capacity and ferrous chelating activity. Caulerpa polysaccharides also exhibited anticoagulant activity in the intrinsic (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) test) and extrinsic pathway (prothrombin time (PT) test). In the aPTT test, all polysaccharides displayed considerable dose-dependent activity. A significant result was the aPTT activity of the polysaccharides CCB-F0.3 and CCB-F0.5, which was similar to that of Clexane®, a commercial low molecular weight heparin. In addition, CCB-F0.3 and CCB-F0.5 showed PT activity. Sulfated polysaccharides from C. cupressoides are therefore promising antioxidant agents in preventing the formation of reactive oxygen species and for their possible use in anticoagulant therapy. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10811-011-9745-5 Authors Mariana Santana Santos Pereira Costa, Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural Polymers (BIOPOL), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Leandro Silva Costa, Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural Polymers (BIOPOL), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Sara Lima Cordeiro, Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural Polymers (BIOPOL), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Jailma Almeida-Lima, Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural Polymers (BIOPOL), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Nednaldo Dantas-Santos, Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural Polymers (BIOPOL), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Kaline Dantas Magalhães, Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural Polymers (BIOPOL), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Diego Araujo Sabry, Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural Polymers (BIOPOL), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Ivan Rui Lopes Albuquerque, Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural Polymers (BIOPOL), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Marcia Rodrigues Pereira, Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Edda Lisboa Leite, Laboratory of Glycobiology, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Hugo Alexandre Oliveira Rocha, Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural Polymers (BIOPOL), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Journal Journal of Applied Phycology Online ISSN 1573-5176 Print ISSN 0921-8971