Understanding Antidiabetic Potential of Oligosaccharides from Red Alga Dulse Devaleraea inkyuleei Xylan by Investigating α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibition.

In this study, the α-glucosidase (maltase-glucoamylase: MGAM) and α-amylase inhibitory properties elicited by xylooligosaccharides (XOSs) prepared from dulse xylan were analysed as a potential mechanism to control postprandial hyperglycaemia for type-2 diabetes prevention and treatment. Xylan was purified from red alga dulse powder and used for enzymatic hydrolysis using Sucrase X to produce XOSs. Fractionation of XOSs produced xylobiose (X2), ß-(1→3)-xylosyl xylobiose (DX3), xylotriose (X3), ß-(1→3)-xylosyl-xylotriose (DX4), and a dulse XOS mixture with n ≥ 4 xylose units (DXM). The different fractions exhibited moderate MGAM (IC50 = 11.41-23.44 mg/mL) and α-amylase (IC50 = 18.07-53.04 mg/mL) inhibitory activity, which was lower than that of acarbose. Kinetics studies revealed that XOSs bound to the active site of carbohydrate digestive enzymes, limiting access to the substrate by competitive inhibition. A molecular docking analysis of XOSs with MGAM and α-amylase clearly showed moderate strength of interactions, both hydrogen bonds and non-bonded contacts, at the active site of the enzymes. Overall, XOSs from dulse could prevent postprandial hyperglycaemia as functional food by a usual and continuous consumption.

Hot springs viruses at Yellowstone National Park have ancient origins and are adapted to thermophilic hosts.

Geothermal springs house unicellular red algae in the class Cyanidiophyceae that dominate the microbial biomass at these sites. Little is known about host-virus interactions in these environments. We analyzed the virus community associated with red algal mats in three neighboring habitats (creek, endolithic, soil) at Lemonade Creek, Yellowstone National Park (YNP), USA. We find that despite proximity, each habitat houses a unique collection of viruses, with the giant viruses, Megaviricetes, dominant in all three. The early branching phylogenetic position of genes encoded on metagenome assembled virus genomes (vMAGs) suggests that the YNP lineages are of ancient origin and not due to multiple invasions from mesophilic habitats. The existence of genomic footprints of adaptation to thermophily in the vMAGs is consistent with this idea. The Cyanidiophyceae at geothermal sites originated ca. 1.5 Bya and are therefore relevant to understanding biotic interactions on the early Earth.

Biocatalytic Conversion of Carrageenans for the Production of 3,6-Anhydro-D-galactose.

Marine biomass stands out as a sustainable resource for generating value-added chemicals. In particular, anhydrosugars derived from carrageenans exhibit a variety of biological functions, rendering them highly promising for utilization and cascading in food, cosmetic, and biotechnological applications. However, the limitation of available sulfatases to break down the complex sulfation patterns of carrageenans poses a significant limitation for the sustainable production of valuable bioproducts from red algae. In this study, we screened several carrageenolytic polysaccharide utilization loci for novel sulfatase activities to assist the efficient conversion of a variety of sulfated galactans into the target product 3,6-anhydro-D-galactose. Inspired by the carrageenolytic pathways in marine heterotrophic bacteria, we systematically combined these novel sulfatases with other carrageenolytic enzymes, facilitating the development of the first enzymatic one-pot biotransformation of ι- and κ-carrageenan to 3,6-anhdyro-D-galactose. We further showed the applicability of this enzymatic bioconversion to a broad series of hybrid carrageenans, rendering this process a promising and sustainable approach for the production of value-added biomolecules from red-algal feedstocks.

Jasmonates and Ethylene Shape Floridoside Synthesis during Carposporogenesis in the Red Seaweed Grateloupia imbricata.

Floridoside is a galactosyl-glycerol compound that acts to supply UDP-galactose and functions as an organic osmolyte in response to salinity in Rhodophyta. Significantly, the UDP-galactose pool is shared for sulfated cell wall galactan synthesis, and, in turn, affected by thallus development alongside carposporogenesis induced by volatile growth regulators, such as ethylene and methyl jasmonate, in the red seaweed Grateloupia imbricata. In this study, we monitored changes in the floridoside reservoir through gene expression controlling both the galactose pool and glyceride pool under different reproductive stages of G. imbricata and we considered changing salinity conditions. Floridoside synthesis was followed by expression analysis of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) as UDP-galactose is obtained from UDP-glucose and glucose-1P, and through α-galactosidase gene expression as degradation of floridoside occurs through the cleavage of galactosyl residues. Meanwhile, glycerol 3-phosphate is connected with the galactoglyceride biosynthetic pathway by glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PD), monogalactosyl diacylglyceride synthase (MGDGS), and digalactosyl diacylglyceride synthase (DGDGS). The results of our study confirm that low GALT transcripts are correlated with thalli softness to locate reproductive structures, as well as constricting the synthesis of UDP-hexoses for galactan backbone synthesis in the presence of two volatile regulators and methionine. Meanwhile, α-galactosidase modulates expression according to cystocarp maturation, and we found high transcripts in late development stages, as occurred in the presence of methyljasmonate, compared to early stages in ethylene. Regarding the acylglyceride pool, the upregulation of G3PD, MGDGS, and DGDGS gene expression in G. imbricata treated with MEJA supports lipid remodeling, as high levels of transcripts for MGDGS and DGDGS provide membrane stability during late development stages of cystocarps. Similar behavior is assumed in three naturally collected thalli development stages-namely, fertile, fertilized, and fertile-under 65 psu salinity conditions. Low transcripts for α-galactosidase and high for G3PD are reported in infertile and fertilized thalli, which is the opposite to high transcripts for α-galactosidase and low for G3PD encountered in fertile thalli within visible cystocarps compared to each of their corresponding stages in 35 psu. No significant changes are reported for MGDGS and DGDGS. It is concluded that cystocarp and thallus development stages affect galactose and glycerides pools with interwoven effects on cell wall polysaccharides.

Mycosporine-like Amino Acids in Palmaria palmata (Rhodophyta): Specific Implication of Usujirene in Photoprotection.

The effect of UV radiation on the accumulation of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and pigments was investigated on red macroalga Palmaria palmata cultivated for 21 days. The data were combined with the effect of NaNO3 to further investigate the synthesis of these nitrogenous compounds. A progressive decrease in both total MAA and pigment contents was observed, with a positive effect of nitrate supply. Usujirene was the only MAA exhibiting a significantly increasing content when exposed to UV radiation, changing from 9% to 24% of the total MAA's contribution, with no variation observed with NaNO3. This suggests a specific induction or synthesis pathway of usujirene for photoprotection, while the synthesis of other MAAs could have been limited by an insufficient amount of UV radiation and/or irradiance. The photoprotective ability of some MAAs could have been impacted by nitrogen starvation over time, resulting in a limited synthesis and/or potential use of MAAs as a nitrogen source for red macroalgae. The data confirmed the multiple effects of environmental factors on the synthesis of MAAs while providing new insights into the specific synthesis of usujirene, which could find an application in the cosmetics sector as natural sunscreen or an anti-ageing agent.

Productivity, amino acid profile, and protein bioaccessibility in heterotrophic batch cultivation of Galdieria sulphuraria.

The polyextremophilic Galdieria sulphuraria is emerging as a promising microalgal species for food applications. This work explores the potential of heterotrophically cultivated G. sulphuraria as a protein producer for human consumption. To this end, the performances of four G. sulphuraria strains grown under the same conditions were compared. Amino acid profiles varied among strains and growth phases, but all samples met FAO dietary requirements for adults. The specific growth rates were between 1.01 and 1.48 day-1. After glucose depletion, all strains showed an increase of 38-49 % in nitrogen content within 48 h, reaching 7.8-12.0 % w/w. An opposite trend was observed in protein bioaccessibility, which decreased on average from 69 % during the exponential phase to a minimum of 32 % 48 h after stationary phase, with significant differences among the strains. Therefore, selecting the appropriate strain and harvesting time is crucial for successful single-cell protein production.

Third-generation D-lactic acid production using red macroalgae Gelidium amansii by co-fermentation of galactose, glucose and xylose.

Macroalgae biomass has been considered as a promising renewable feedstock for lactic acid production owing to its lignin-free, high carbohydrate content and high productivity. Herein, the D-lactic acid production from red macroalgae Gelidium amansii by Pediococcus acidilactici was investigated. The fermentable sugars in G. amansii acid-prehydrolysate were mainly galactose and glucose with a small amounts of xylose. P. acidilactici could simultaneously ferment the mixed sugars of galactose, glucose and xylose into D-lactic acid at high yield (0.90 g/g), without carbon catabolite repression (CCR). The assimilating pathways of these sugars in P. acidilactici were proposed based on the whole genome sequences. Simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) of the pretreated and biodetoxified G. amansii was also conducted, a record high of D-lactic acid (41.4 g/L) from macroalgae biomass with the yield of 0.34 g/g dry feedstock was achieved. This study provided an important biorefinery strain for D-lactic acid production from macroalgae biomass.

Rosetta gen. nov. (Chlorophyta): Resolving the identity of red snow algal rosettes.

Thick-walled rosette-like snow algae were long thought to be a life stage of various other species of snow algae. Rosette-like cells have not been cultured, but by manually isolating cells from 38 field samples in southern British Columbia, we assigned a variety of rosette morphologies to DNA sequence. Phylogenetic analysis of Rubisco large-subunit (rbcL) gene, ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) rRNA region, and 18S rRNA gene revealed that the rosette-like cells form a new clade within the phylogroup Chloromonadinia. Based on these data, we designate a new genus, Rosetta, which comprises five novel species: R. castellata, R. floranivea, R. stellaria, R. rubriterra, and R. papavera. In a survey of 762 snow samples from British Columbia, we observed R. floranivea exclusively on snow overlying high-elevation glaciers, whereas R. castellata was observed at lower elevations, near the tree line. The other three species were rarely observed. Spherical red cells enveloped in a thin translucent sac were conspecific with Rosetta, possibly a developmental stage. These results highlight the unexplored diversity among snow algae and emphasize the utility of single-cell isolation to advance the centuries-old problem of disentangling life stages and cryptic species.

New dockside eDNA based protocol to detect the seaweed Asparagopsis armata evaluated by stakeholders.

Early detection of invasive species is crucial to deal effectively with biological invasions in ports, which are hotspots of species introductions. In this study, a simplified end-time PCR methodology conducted on eDNA from water samples was developed for rapid detection of the invasive seaweed Asparagopsis armata (four hours from water collection to result visualization). It was tested dockside in four international Spanish ports in presence of stakeholders, whose feedback was obtained to explore the real applicability of this biotechnology. Although biological invasions were not a main concern for them, results indicate a unanimous approval of the methodology by the stakeholders, having detected the presence of A. armata in three of the ports. Stakeholders suggested further developments for easier application of the tool and multiple species detection, to be adopted for the control of invasive species in ports.

Bioaccessibility of toxic heavy metals/metalloids in edible seaweeds: Exposure and health risk assessment.

This study assesses the health risk due to heavy metals/metalloids (HMs/Ms) in edible seaweeds (Caulerpa racemosa, Kappaphycus alvarezii, and Ulva lactuca) through an in vitro bioaccessibility study. The percentage of bioabsorbed HMs/Ms in unprocessed and processed C. racemosa, U. lactuca, and K. alvarezii ranged from 3 % to 46 %, 3 % to 42 %, and 3 % to 40 %, respectively. The levels of HMs/Ms in seawater, sediment, and seaweeds were below the levels recommended by the European Commission (EC) and World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO). The maximum accumulation of HMs/Ms was found during monsoons and post-monsoon seasons, and Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, As, and Pb were predominant in all the samples. Tukey's post hoc test and t-test confirmed that thermal processing significantly reduced HMs/Ms in seaweeds. On the basis of the bioabsorption of HMs/Ms, the TTHQ values were found to be < 1, and the LCR values were within the acceptable limit (10-06 to 10-04), indicating no carcinogenic risks through seaweeds.

Macroalgal microbiomes unveil a valuable genetic resource for halogen metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Macroalgae, especially reds (Rhodophyta Division) and browns (Phaeophyta Division), are known for producing various halogenated compounds. Yet, the reasons underlying their production and the fate of these metabolites remain largely unknown. Some theories suggest their potential antimicrobial activity and involvement in interactions between macroalgae and prokaryotes. However, detailed investigations are currently missing on how the genetic information of prokaryotic communities associated with macroalgae may influence the fate of organohalogenated molecules. RESULTS: To address this challenge, we created a specialized dataset containing 161 enzymes, each with a complete enzyme commission number, known to be involved in halogen metabolism. This dataset served as a reference to annotate the corresponding genes encoded in both the metagenomic contigs and 98 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) obtained from the microbiome of 2 red (Sphaerococcus coronopifolius and Asparagopsis taxiformis) and 1 brown (Halopteris scoparia) macroalgae. We detected many dehalogenation-related genes, particularly those with hydrolytic functions, suggesting their potential involvement in the degradation of a wide spectrum of halocarbons and haloaromatic molecules, including anthropogenic compounds. We uncovered an array of degradative gene functions within MAGs, spanning various bacterial orders such as Rhodobacterales, Rhizobiales, Caulobacterales, Geminicoccales, Sphingomonadales, Granulosicoccales, Microtrichales, and Pseudomonadales. Less abundant than degradative functions, we also uncovered genes associated with the biosynthesis of halogenated antimicrobial compounds and metabolites. CONCLUSION: The functional data provided here contribute to understanding the still largely unexplored role of unknown prokaryotes. These findings support the hypothesis that macroalgae function as holobionts, where the metabolism of halogenated compounds might play a role in symbiogenesis and act as a possible defense mechanism against environmental chemical stressors. Furthermore, bacterial groups, previously never connected with organohalogen metabolism, e.g., Caulobacterales, Geminicoccales, Granulosicoccales, and Microtrichales, functionally characterized through MAGs reconstruction, revealed a biotechnologically relevant gene content, useful in synthetic biology, and bioprospecting applications. Video Abstract.

Complex Endosymbioses I: From Primary to Complex Plastids, Serial Endosymbiotic Events.

A considerable part of the diversity of eukaryotic phototrophs consists of algae with plastids that evolved from endosymbioses between two eukaryotes. These complex plastids are characterized by a high number of envelope membranes (more than two) and some of them contain a residual nucleus of the endosymbiotic alga called a nucleomorph. Complex plastid-bearing algae are thus chimeric cell assemblies, eukaryotic symbionts living in a eukaryotic host. In contrast, the primary plastids of the Archaeplastida (plants, green algae, red algae, and glaucophytes) possibly evolved from a single endosymbiosis with a cyanobacterium and are surrounded by two membranes. Complex plastids have been acquired several times by unrelated groups of eukaryotic heterotrophic hosts, suggesting that complex plastids are somewhat easier to obtain than primary plastids. Evidence suggests that complex plastids arose twice independently in the green lineage (euglenophytes and chlorarachniophytes) through secondary endosymbiosis, and four times in the red lineage, first through secondary endosymbiosis in cryptophytes, then by higher-order events in stramenopiles, alveolates, and haptophytes. Engulfment of primary and complex plastid-containing algae by eukaryotic hosts (secondary, tertiary, and higher-order endosymbioses) is also responsible for numerous plastid replacements in dinoflagellates. Plastid endosymbiosis is accompanied by massive gene transfer from the endosymbiont to the host nucleus and cell adaptation of both endosymbiotic partners, which is related to the trophic switch to phototrophy and loss of autonomy of the endosymbiont. Such a process is essential for the metabolic integration and division control of the endosymbiont in the host. Although photosynthesis is the main advantage of acquiring plastids, loss of photosynthesis often occurs in algae with complex plastids. This chapter summarizes the essential knowledge of the acquisition, evolution, and function of complex plastids.

The structure of PSI-LHCI from Cyanidium caldarium provides evolutionary insights into conservation and diversity of red-lineage LHCs.

Light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) are diversified among photosynthetic organisms, and the structure of the photosystem I-LHC (PSI-LHCI) supercomplex has been shown to be variable depending on the species of organisms. However, the structural and evolutionary correlations of red-lineage LHCs are unknown. Here, we determined a 1.92-Å resolution cryoelectron microscopic structure of a PSI-LHCI supercomplex isolated from the red alga Cyanidium caldarium RK-1 (NIES-2137), which is an important taxon in the Cyanidiophyceae. We subsequently investigated the correlations of PSI-LHCIs from different organisms through structural comparisons and phylogenetic analysis. The PSI-LHCI structure obtained shows five LHCI subunits surrounding a PSI-monomer core. The five LHCIs are composed of two Lhcr1s, two Lhcr2s, and one Lhcr3. Phylogenetic analysis of LHCs bound to PSI in the red-lineage algae showed clear orthology of LHCs between C. caldarium and Cyanidioschyzon merolae, whereas no orthologous relationships were found between C. caldarium Lhcr1-3 and LHCs in other red-lineage PSI-LHCI structures. These findings provide evolutionary insights into conservation and diversity of red-lineage LHCs associated with PSI.

Structure and Binding Properties to Blood Co-Factors of the Least Sulfated Galactan Found in the Cell Wall of the Red Alga Botryocladia occidentalis.

Three different populations of sulfated polysaccharides can be found in the cell wall of the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis. In a previous work, the structures of the two more sulfated polysaccharides were revised. In this work, NMR-based structural analysis was performed on the least sulfated polysaccharide and its chemically modified derivatives. Results have revealed the presence of both 4-linked α- and 3-linked ß-galactose units having the following chemical features: more than half of the total galactose units are not sulfated, the α-units occur primarily as 3,6-anhydrogalactose units either 2-O-methylated or 2-O-sulfated, and the ß-galactose units can be 4-O-sulfated or 2,4-O-disulfated. SPR-based results indicated weaker binding of the least sulfated galactan to thrombin, factor Xa, and antithrombin, but stronger binding to heparin cofactor II than unfractionated heparin. This report together with our previous publication completes the structural characterization of the three polysaccharides found in the cell wall of the red alga B. occidentalis and correlates the impact of their composing chemical groups with the levels of interaction with the blood co-factors.

Increased light intensity enhances photosynthesis and biochemical components of red macroalga of commercial importance, Kappaphycus alvarezii, in response to ocean acidification.

The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) has increased drastically over the past several decades, resulting in the pH of the ocean decreasing by 0.44 ± 0.005 units, known as ocean acidification (OA). The Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta, Solieriaceae), is a commercially and ecologically important red macroalga with significant CO2 absorption potential from seawater. The K. alvarezii also experienced light variations from self-shading and varied cultivation depths. Thus, the aim of present study was to investigate the effects of two pCO2 levels (450 and 1200 ppmv) and three light intensities (50, 100, and 150 µmol photons·m-2·s-1) on photosynthesis and the biochemical components in K. alvarezii. The results of the present study showed that a light intensity of 50 µmol photons·m-2·s-1 was optimal for K. alvarezii photosynthesis with 0.663 ± 0.030 of Fv/Fm and 0.672 ± 0.025 of Fv'/Fm'. Phycoerythrin contents at two pCO2 levels decreased significantly with an increase in light intensity by 57.14-87.76%, while phycocyanin contents only decreased from 0.0069 ± 0.001 mg g-1 FW to 0.0047 ± 0.001 mg g-1 FW with an increase in light intensity at 1200 ppmv of pCO2. Moreover, moderate increases in light intensity and pCO2 had certain positive effects on the physiological performance of K. alvarezii, specifically in terms of increasing soluble carbohydrate production. Although OA and high light levels promoted total organic carbon accumulation (21.730 ± 0.205% DW) in K. alvarezii, they had a negative impact on total nitrogen accumulation (0.600 ± 0.017% DW).

Enhancing the dispersibility of Gelidium amansii-derived microfibrillated cellulose through centrifugal fractionation.

Hydrothermal pretreatment is useful for microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) preparation due to its safety, but the remaining hemicellulose might affect MFC properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of centrifugation time on hemicellulose removal and the physicochemical properties of MFC obtained after hydrothermal pretreatment and micro-fibrillation. In this study, centrifugation was applied to the MFC suspension at varying duration times. Composition analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that fractionated MFC has no hemicellulose content after 10, 20, and 30 min centrifugation. It also showed an approximately 5 times higher than 0.5 % g/g of initial solid concentration, indicated by a lower gel concentration point, than unfractionated MFC. Scanning electron microscope images of the fractionated MFC for 30 min (MFC2C) presented thin, long cellulose fibrils of 517 nm in average diameter and 635-10,000 nm in length that induced a slower sedimentation rate. MFC2C dispersion was also improved by autoclave sterilization by regulating cellulose structure, rheology, and crystallinity. As a result, MFC dispersibility can be enhanced by removing hemicellulose through simple centrifugation.

Synthesis and characterization of polysiphonia/cerium oxide/nickel oxide nanocomposites for the removal of toxins from contaminated water and antibacterial potential.

Due to massive industrial development, organic and inorganic wastes are very common in most industrial effluents from the pharmaceutical industry. Even in low concentrations, they are very dangerous and harmful to humans and other living organisms. Antibiotics are frequently detected in surface waters, in soil, in wastewater from sewage treatment plants, and even in drinking water. The major environmental threat they pose has prompted to search for effective and environmentally friendly means of eliminating these toxins. The biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials using natural herbal extracts has attracted considerable attention due to their low-cost, environmentally friendly and non-toxic nature, and as a reversal of various physical and chemical processes. The ceria nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs), nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs), and CeO2/NiO nanocomposites (CeO2/NiO NCS) were successfully prepared by simple biosynthetic routes using Polysiphonia urceolata algae extract as green surfactants and tested for toxic ofloxacin removal efficiency. The formed nanostructures were identified and characterized by various microscopic (FESEM-EDX, TEM, XRD, BET, and XPS) and spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FTIR, and TGA) methods. The adsorption/desorption of ofloxacin (OFX) on the surface of the nanomaterials was investigated under optimized conditions (initial dose 20 mg/L, agitation speed 250 rpm, pH 12, adsorbent dose 0.5 mg/L, and contact time 120 min). The removal efficiencies were 78%, 86%, and 94% for CeO2 NPs, NiO NPs and CeO2/NiO NCS, respectively, where OFX removal was found to be spontaneous, followed by Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic reaction model. The OFX adsorption mechanism on the nanomaterials involved the surface complexation via specific electrostatic attraction and H-bonding. The biogenic nanomaterials were also tested for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. The CeO2/NiO NCS exhibited the highest antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition (31.12 ± 0.59 mm) against S. epidermidis, followed by CeO2NPs and NiONPs with zones of inhibition (25.53 ± 1.2 mm) and (21.42 ± 0.6 mm) against P. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis, respectively. This study demonstrated the efficiency of the synthesized nanomaterials in removing toxins such as OFX from contaminated water and can serve as potential antibacterial and antioxidant agents. Notably, the heterogeneous nanomaterials demonstrated remarkable stability across a broad pH range, promising reusability and indicated tremendous potential of waste biomass reduction and OFX effluent treatment.

The allelopathic potential of red macroalga Pyropia haitanensis solvent extracts on controlling bloom-forming microalgae: Insights into the inhibitory compounds.

Various strategies have been explored to mitigate the impact of harmful algal blooms (HABs). While chemical and physical methods have traditionally been employed to regulate microalgal growth, their prolonged adverse effects on the ecosystem are a cause for concern. Recognizing the integral role of macroalgae within the ecosystem, this study reveals the anti-algal properties of solvent-based extracts derived from the red macroalga Pyropia haitanensis as a means of preventing microalgal blooms. In our investigation, we initially assessed the growth-inhibitory effects of methanol and acetone extracts from P. haitanensis on five microalgae known to contribute to bloom-formation. Significantly reduced growth was observed in all microalgal species when inoculated with both methanol and acetone extracts. Further analysis revealed the effectiveness of the methanol extract (ME), and further fractionation with petroleum ether (PE), ethyl acetate (EA), and n-butanol (NB) for testing against Skeletonema costatum and Pseudo-nitzschia pungens. The methanol fractions exhibited strong inhibition, resulting in the complete elimination of both microalgae after 96 hours of exposure to PE, EA, and NB extracts. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis of the ME and its solvent fractions identified 49 confirmed compounds. These compounds are likely potential contributors to the observed inhibition of microalgal growth. In conclusion, our findings suggest that solvent extracts from P. haitanensis possess substantial potential for the control of HABs, offering a promising avenue for further research and application in ecosystem management.

Fed-batch treatment attenuates diffusional limitation while preparing high solid microfibrillated cellulose from Gelidium amansii.

This study investigates the effects of fed-batch treatment on the fibrillation degree and properties of Gelidium amansii-derived microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). Fed-batch milling was conducted with the initial solid loading of 1 % w/v followed by three stages of feeding to obtain a final solid concentration of 5 % w/v. This process provides a high-solid MFC of around 10 %, while batch milling only provides the maximum solid loading of 4 %. It also reduces approximately 83 % power consumption of batch milling at the same solid loading (4 %). The obtained MFC 5 % has lower fibrils length (14.9 µm) and width (16.46 nm), but higher consistency index (>250 Pa.s) than MFC 1 % (22 µm, 21 nm, 5.88 Pa.s). The crystallinity and maximum decomposition temperatures of both MFCs are comparable, varying at 49-53 % and 318 °C-320 °C. In summary, fed-batch treatment is promising for the techno-economic development of MFC production by lowering energy and maintaining product quality.

In vitro digestibility of proteins from red seaweeds: Impact of cell wall structure and processing methods.

This study aimed to assess the nutritional quality and digestibility of proteins in two red seaweed species, Gelidium corneum and Gracilaropsis longissima, through the application of in vitro gastrointestinal digestions, and evaluate the impact of two consecutive processing steps, extrusion and compression moulding, to produce food snacks. The protein content in both seaweeds was approximately 16 %, being primarily located within the cell walls. Both species exhibited similar amino acid profiles, with aspartic and glutamic acid being most abundant. However, processing impacted their amino acid profiles, leading to a significant decrease in labile amino acids like lysine. Nevertheless, essential amino acids constituted 35-36 % of the total in the native seaweeds and their processed products. Although the protein digestibility in both seaweed species was relatively low (<60 %), processing, particularly extrusion, enhanced it by approximately 10 %. Interestingly, the effect of the different processing steps on the digestibility varied between the two species. This difference was mainly attributed to compositional and structural differences. G. corneum exhibited increased digestibility with each processing step, while G. longissima reached maximum digestibility after extrusion. Notably, changes in the amino acid profiles of the processed products affected adversely the protein nutritional quality, with lysine becoming the limiting amino acid. These findings provide the basis for developing strategies to enhance protein quality in these seaweed species, thereby facilitating high-quality food production with potential applications in the food industry.