Rumen microbial degradation of bromoform from red seaweed(Asparagopsis taxiformis)and the impact on rumen fermentation and methanogenic archaea

Background The red macroalgae Asparagopsis is an effective methanogenesis inhibitor due to the presence of halogenated methane(CH_(4))analogues,primarily bromoform(CHBr_(3)).This study aimed to investigate the degradation process of CHBr3 from A taxiformis in the rumen and whether this process is diet-dependent.An in vitro batch culture system was used according to a 2×2 factorial design,assessing two A taxiformis inclusion rates[0(CTL)and 2%DM diet(AT)]and two diets[high-concentrate(HC)and high-forage diet(HF)].Incubations lasted for 72 h and samples of headspace and fermentation liquid were taken at 0,0.5,1,3,6,8,12,16,24,48 and 72 h to assess the pattern of degradation of CHBr_(3) into dibromomethane(CH_(2)Br_(2))and fermentation parameters.Additionally,an in vitro experiment with pure cultures of seven methanogens strains(Methanobrevibacter smithii,Methanobrevibacter ruminantium,Methanosphaera stadtmanae,Methanosarcina barkeri,Methanobrevibacter millerae,Methanorhermobacter wolfei and Methanobacterium mobile)was conducted to test the effects of increasing concentrations of CHBr3(0.4,2,10and 50μmol/L).Results The addition of AT significantly decreased CH_(4) production(P=0.002)and the acetate:propionate ratio(P=0.003)during a 72-h incubation.The concentrations of CHBr_(3) showed a rapid decrease with nearly 90%degraded within the first 3 h of incubation.On the contrary,CH_(2)Br_(2) concentration quickly increased during the first 6 h and then gradually decreased towards the end of the incubation.Neither CHBr_(3) degradation nor CH_(2)Br_(2) synthesis were affected by the type of diet used as substrate,suggesting that the fermentation rate is not a driving factor involved in CHBr_(3)degradation.The in vitro culture of methanogens showed a dose-response effect of CHBr3 by inhibiting the growth of M.smithii,M.ruminantium,M.stadtmanae,M.barkeri,M.millerae,M.wolfei,and M.mobile.Conclusions The present work demonstrated that CHBr_(3) from A.taxiformis is quickly degraded to CH_(2)Br_(2)in the rumen and that the fermentation rate promoted by different diets is not a driving factor involved in CHBr_(3)degradation.

Seaweed Fiber Fabricated with Agar Alkali-Free Extracted from Gracilaria lemaneiformis

The sulfate groups in agar structure played a good role in the formation of fiber.However,commercially available agar is usually extracted from red algae by alkali treatment to decrease the content of sulfate group for the purpose of high gel strength.In this paper,an alkali-free method of agar extraction from Gracilaria lemaneiformis was proposed for the wet-spinning purpose.This method is environmentally friendly,reduces the extraction steps,saves energy,and reduces the production cost of agar fiber.The improved agar preparation process not only has higher agar yield,but also has higher molecular weight and sulfate group content,which is beneficial to the preparation and forming of fiber and makes the fiber have higher mechanical strength and elongation.Therefore,this extraction technology has broad application prospect in the textile field.

Antimicrobial potential of selected brown seaweeds from Vedalai coastal waters,Gulf of Mannar

Objective:To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Turbinaria conoides(T.conoides).Padina gymnospora(P.gymnospora) and Sargassum tenerrimum against human bacterial and fungal pathogens.Methods:The antimicrobial activities of the extracts against various organisms were tested by using disc diffusion method.Results:The methanol extract showed the better result than the other extracts.Whereas,the strong antibacterial inhibition was noted in methanol extracts of P.gymnospora against Bacillus subtilus(26.33±1.86) and the mild inhibition of ethanol extracts from T.conoides against Klebsiella pneumoniae(2.33±0.51).Acetone extraction of P. gymnospora had strong antifungal inhibition against Cryptococcus neoformans(23.00±1.78), and acetone extract of T.conoides had mild inhibition against Aspergillus niger(3.00±0.89). Conclusions:The seven different solvent extracts of seaweeds used in the present study have shown significant bacterial action.Further,a detailed study on the principle compound in the seaweeds which is responsible for antimicrobial activity is still needed and it can be achieved by using advanced separation techniques.

Seaweed glue as a novel polymer depressant for the selective separation of chalcopyrite and galena

The use of seaweed glue(SEG)as a novel polymer depressant for the separation of chalcopyrite from galena with butyl xanthate(BX)as a collector was studied through microflotation experiments.Contact angle,adsorption,dynamic potential,and infrared spectral analyses were conducted to clarify the mechanism underlying the action of SEG on minerals.The results of microflotation experiments indicated that chalcopyrite could be selectively separated from galena by using a SEG depressant concentration of 15 mg·L^-1,BX concentration of 10 mg·L^-1,and methyl isobutyl carbinol concentration of 8.5 mg·L^-1 at pH 8.0.A Cu concentrate with a grading of 23.68wt% was obtained at a recovery rate of 81.52% from mixed minerals with 8.29wt% Cu content.Contact angle analysis showed that the effect of SEG on the wettability of galena was stronger than that on the wettability of chalcopyrite.Adsorption,zeta potential,and FT-IR spectral analyses revealed that SEG and BX were coadsorbed on the surfaces of galena.SEG depressed galena by covering xanthate ions in the functional groups of-COO and mainly underwent weak physisorption on chalcopyrite.These mechanisms account for the ability of SEG to depress galena effectively while enabling chalcopyrite flotation.

Degradation of Extraction from Seaweed and Its Complex with Rare Earths for Organophosphorous Pesticides

On the basis of several experiments carried out in China, it was proved that both seaweed liquid fertilizer and rare earth （RE） could promote the growth of crops and increase their yield. The effects of extraction from seaweed and its complex with RE on the degradation of organophosphorous pesticides and the yield of vegetables were investigated. The resuits showed that the extract and its complex with RE could degrade organophosphorous pesticides in neutral solvent. The residues of the pesticides treated by the extract decreased by 96.88 %, 52.30%, 49.52%, and 22.88 %, respectively, for chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, omethoate, and dimethoate, and those by the complex decreased by 95.99%, 54.23%, 48.79%, and 25.66%, respectively, when compared with the control. The residues of chlorpyrifos and dimethoate in spinach sprayed with the complex were decreased by 90.64% and 76.56%, respectively, compared with those in spinach from control plots when the interval between spraying and sampling was 8 d. The fresh weight of brassica chinensis and cabbage increased by 28.62% and 18.72%, and their dry weight increased by 44.49% and 14.74%, respectively, compared with those of the controls. The chlorpyrifos and dimethoate residues in brasscia chinese were decreased by 36.36% and 50.00%, respectively, and their rate of decrease in cabbage was 40.00% and 75.00%, respectively, on 5th day after spraying with the complex, when compared with those in the vegetable from control. These results suggest that this complex can increase the agricultural productivity and reduce the use of pesticide residues in the production of vegetables.

In vitro antioxidant activities of selected seaweeds from Southeast coast of India

Objective:In vitro antioxidant activities of three selected Indian seaweeds viz.,Halimeda tuna(H.tuna),Turbinaria conoides(T.conoides) and Gracilaria foliifera(G.foliifera) were evaluated.Methods:Total antioxidant activity,total phenolic content,and reducing power of crude methanol and diethyl ether extracts were determined.Results:Total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity were higher(1.231±0.173 mg GAE/g,1.675±0.361 mg GAE/g) in T.conoides respectively.Reducing power of crude methanol extract increased with concentrations of the extract.The Fourier transform-infra red spectrum analysis revealed the presence of polyphenolic signals.The seaweed extracts displayed moderate antioxidant activity compared to gallic acid standard.Conclusions:The seaweeds could be considered for curing diseases from oxidative deteriorations.

STUDIES ON FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY IN CHINESE SEAWEEDS PART I. SCREENING RESULTS

Antioxidants have attracted the attention of researchers due to their beneficial effects as free radical scavengers. Application of a stable free radical named 1,1 diphenyl 2 picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) to screen the free radical scavenging activity in 27 species of Chinese seaweed showed that 15 of them had significant activity in at least one of the organic solvent extracts. The most interesting seaweed species were Gelidium amansii, Gloiosiphonia capillaris, Polysiphonia urceolata, Sargassum kjellmanianum, Desmarestia viridis, and Rhodomela teres.

Evaluation of phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of brown seaweeds belonging to Turbinaria spp.(Phaeophyta,Sargassaceae) collected from Gulf of Mannar

Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents of brown seaweeds belonging to Turbinaria spp.[Turbinaria conoides(T.conoides)and Turbinaria ornata(T.ornata)collected from Gulf of Mannar of southeastern coast of India in various in vitro systems.Methods:The antioxidant activity was evaluated using different in vitro systems,viz.,I,I-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH),2,2'-azino-bis-3 ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt(ABTS),H_20_2/H0 radical scavenging,Fe^(2+)ion chelating ability,and reducing potential.Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine the total phenolic content of the extracts,and the results were expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalents(GE)/g of the seaweed extracts.Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances assay was employed to assess the ability of the seaweed extracts to inhibit lipid oxidation.Results:Ethyl acetate(EtOAc)fraction of T.conoides registered significantly higher phenolic content(105.97 mg GE/g)than that of T.ornata(69.63 mg GE/g).Significantly higher antioxidant potential as determined by DPPH(64.14%)radical scavenging activity was registered in EtOAc fraction of T.ornata.A higher ABTS(?)radical scavenging(IC_(50)3.16μg/mL),Fe^(2+)chelating(IC_(50)0.46 mg/mL),H_2O_2 scavenging(IC_(50)4.25 mg/mL),lipid peroxidation inhibitory(TBARS,IC_(50)0.21 mg/mL),and reducing abilities(IC_(50)52.67 mg/mL)(P<0.05)were realized in EtOAc fraction of T.ornata than other fractions.Conclusions:This study indicated the potential use of T.conoides and T.ornata as candidate species to be used as food supplements/functional foods to increase shelf-life of food items for human consumption,and nutraceuticals to deter deleterious free radical-induced life-threatening diseases.

Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea

Objective:To investigate antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the extract and fractions from Vietnamese red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea.Methods:The seaweed Laurencia dendroidea was extracted by using microwave-assisted extraction method in 80%methanol.The seaweed extract was then fractionated using different solvents(n-hexane,chloroform,ethyl acetate,butanol and water).These obtained fractions were evaluated forα-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities.Antioxidant activities were tested using DPPH,nitric oxide radical scavenging and metal chelating assays.The enzyme inhibition mode was determined using Lineweaver-Burk plot.For acidic and thermal stabilities,the ethyl acetate fraction was treated at pH 2.0 and 100℃,respectively.The residual inhibitory activity of the fraction was calculated based on the initial inhibitory activity.For in vivo antidiabetic activity,mice were divided into four groups,including normal control,diabetic control,diabetic mice treated with ethyl acetate fraction and diabetic mice treated with gliclazide.Blood glucose level of treated mice during acute and prolonged treatments was measured.To evaluate the toxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction,the body weight changes and activities of liver function enzymes(aspartate transaminase,alanine transaminase and gammaglutamyl transferase)were carried out.Results:The extract of Laurencia dendroidea showed strongα-glucosidase inhibitory and DPPH radical scavenging activities.Methanolic concentrations affected bothα-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities.A 80%aqueous methanol was the suitable solvent for extraction of enzyme inhibitors and antioxidants.Among solvent fractions,ethyl acetate fraction had the highest inhibitory activities againstα-glucosidase with a mixed type of inhibition and the strongest antioxidant activities,and was stable under acidic and thermal conditions.The ethyl acetate fraction treated diabetic mice significantly reduced blood glucose level compared with the diabetic control group(13.16 mmol/L vs.22.75 mmol/L after 3 hours of treatment).Oral administration of ethyl acetate fraction did not exhibit toxicity at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight as determined by body weight changes and liver biochemical parameters.Conclusions:Laurencia dendroidea could be a potential source for production of antidiabetic and antioxidative agents.

Enoplus taipingensis,a new species of marine nematode from the rocky intertidal seaweeds in the Taiping Bay,Qingdao

One new species of free-living marine nematodes Enoplus taipingensis sp. nov. from the rocky intertidal seaweeds in the Taiping Bay, Qingdao is described and illustrated with scanning electron microscopy observation and 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Enoplus taipingensis is characterized by special arrangement of lateral setae on the tail, three cervical setae, distal structure on the supplement, and much longer body length with bigger De Man ratio ＂a＂. Type specimens are deposited in the College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China.

SEAWEED CULTIVATION: TRADITIONAL WAY AND ITS REFORMATION

Seaweed cultivation or phycoculture has been developed rather fast in recent years. The total production of cultivated seaweed at present is about 6250×10 3 tons fresh weight. The total cultivation area is estimated as 200×10 3 hectare. The annual total value of cultivated seaweeds has been estimated to be more than 3 billion US dollars. Phycoculture provides many job opportunities for the coastal region people, has the potential to improve marine environments and thus even induce global change. All traditional cultivation methods and techniques are based on or start from the individual plant or the cultivated seaweed population. Modern biological science and biotechnology achievements have benefited agriculture a lot, but traditional seaweed cultivation has not changed much since its founding. This is because seaweed cultivation has been quite conservative for quite a long period and has accumulated many problems requiring solution. Four main problems might be the most universal ones holding back further development of the industry. New ways of seaweed cultivation must be developed, new techniques must be perfected, and new problems solved. This paper mainly discusses the main problems of traditional seaweed cultivation at present and its possible further development and reformation in the future.

Edible seaweed-derived constituents: an undisclosed source of neuroprotective compounds

Edible marine algae,or seaweeds,are a rich source of several bioactive compounds including phytosterols,carotenoids,and polysaccharides.Over the last decades,seaweed-derived constituents turned out to not only reside in the systemic circulation,but are able to cross the blood-brain barrier to exert neuro-active functions both in homeostatic and pathological conditions.Therefore,seaweed-derived constituents have gained increasing interest for their neuro-immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties,rendering them interesting candidates for the management of several neurodegenerative disorders.In particular seaweed-derived phytosterols gained interest for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders as they potentiate neuroplasticity,enhance phagocytic clearance of neurotoxic peptides and have anti-inflammatory properties.Though,the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of other constituents including carotenoids,phenols and polysaccharides have recently gained more interest.In this review,we provide an overview of a selection of the described neuro-active properties of seaweed-derived constituents with a focus on phytosterols.

Antibiotic resistant Esherichia coli strains from seafood and its susceptibility to seaweed extracts

Objective:To determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli(E. coli),in seafood obtained from Cuddalore and Parangipettai fish landing centres.Also,to identify the susceptibility of E.coli against predominant seaweeds red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii(K.alvarezii) and brown alga Padina boergessenii(P.boergessenii) extracts as sulfated polysaccharides and polyphenols respectively.Methods:A total of 48 samples(Two stations Cuddalore and Parangipettai,Tamil Nadu,India).Sampling area are fish landing centre where fishes caught from sea and estuary,seafood processing plants(packing and ice packed fishes) and local fish markets(fish samples).After isolation totally 80 strains were analyzed for its antimicrobial resistance and sensitivity against commercially 10 antibiotics.The ampicillin resistant E.coli CE21 was identified through molecular techniques as I6S rDNA sequencing. Two seaweeds K.alvarezii and P.boergessenii were screened lor antibacterial activity against 12 antibiotic resistant E.coli strains.Results:Totally 48 swabbed samples from two different fish handling area were characterized for total bacterial and E.coli count.Mostly,the E.coli strains were isolated from fish local market and seafood processing plants before and after packaging process.In that maximum 56.25%strains were resistant to ampicillin and the minimum 2.5%strains were resistant to chloramphenicol.Therefore,the E.coli CE21 was identified through molecular techniques E.coli(GenBank accession number GU065251),The MIC value for polyphenol extract was slightly less than sulfated polysaccharides.E.coli strain isolated from Parangipettai was considerably increased MIC value that Cuddalore.Conclusions: The polyphenol and sulfated polysaccharides showed promising inhibitory response against all antimicrobial resistant E.coli strains and in particular the inhibitory response of ampicillin resistant E.coli.

Extraction and Antioxidant Functions of Polysaccharides from Seaweed

Dried seaweed powder was used as the raw material to extract polysaccharides by ethanol precipitation after water bath. Extraction temperature, extrac- tion duration, solution pH and solid to liquid ratio were selected as technical parameters which required to be optimized. With the extraction rate of seaweed poly- saccharides as an index, single-factor experiment and orthogonal experiment were carried out to determine the optimal extraction technique. Seaweed polysaceharides were extracted with the optimal technical parameters to analyze the biological activities. Savage method was used to process seaweed polysaceharide extract. In vitro biological activities of preliminarily purified seaweed polysaeeharides were investigated successively, including reducing ability, antioxidant ability and antibacterial activity. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between polysaccharide concentration and its reducing ability, antioxidant ability and antibacterial activity. Furthermore, there was also a correlation among the reducing ability, antioxidant ability and antibacterial activity of seaweed polysaecharides; the relation- ship between each two of these three indicators was similar to positive linear correlation.

Green synthesis of iron oxide(Fe_3O_4)nanoparticles using two selected brown seaweeds:Characterization and application for lead bioremediation

The exploitation of different plant materials for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles is considered a green technology because it does not involve any harmful chemicals. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles（Fe3O4-NPs） were synthesized using a completely green biosynthetic method by reduction of ferric chloride solution using brown seaweed water extracts. The two seaweeds Padina pavonica（Linnaeus） Thivy and Sargassum acinarium（Linnaeus） Setchell 1933 were used in this study. The algae extract was used as a reductant of Fe Cl3 resulting in the phytosynthesis of Fe3O4-NPs. The phytogenic Fe3O4-NPs were characterized by surface plasmon band observed close to 402 nm and 415 nm; the obtained Fe3O4-NPs are in the particle sizes ranged from 10 to 19.5 nm and 21.6 to 27.4 nm for P. pavonica and S. acinarium, respectively. The strong signals of iron were reported in their corresponding EDX spectra. FTIR analyses revealed that sulphated polysaccharides are the main biomolecules in the algae extracts that do dual function of reducing the Fe Cl3 and stabilizing the phytogenic Fe3O4-NPs. The biosynthesized Fe3O4-NPs were entrapped in calcium alginates beads and used in Pb adsorption experiments. The biosynthesized Fe3O4-NPs alginate beads via P. pavonica（Linnaeus） Thivy had high capacity for bioremoval of Pb（91%） while that of S. acinarium（Linnaeus） Setchell 1933 had a capacity of（78%） after 75 min.The values of the process parameters for the maximum Pb removal efficiency by Fe3O4-NPs alginate beads synthesized via P. pavonica（Linnaeus） Thivy were also estimated.

Jeju seaweeds suppress lipopolysaccharide-stimulated proinflammatory response in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages

Objective:To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Jeju seaweeds on macrophage RAW264.7 cells under lipopolysaccharide(LPS)stimulation.Methods:Ethyl acetate fractions were prepared from five different types of Jeju seaweeds,Dictyopteris divaricata(D.divaricata),Dictyopteris prolifera(D.prolifefa),Prioutis cornea(P.comea,Grateloupia laceolata(G,lanceolate,and Cralcloupia filicina(G.filicina)They were screened for inhibitory effects on proinflammatory mediators and cytokines such as nitric oxide(NO),prostaglandin E,,tumor necrosis factor-a(TNF-a),and interleukin-6(11.-6).Results:Our results revealed that D.divaricata,D.prolifera,P.cornea,G.lanceolata,and G.filicina potently inhibited I.PS-stimulaled NO production(IC_(50),values were 18.0,38.36,38.43,32.81 and 37.14μg/mL,respectively).Consistent with these findings,D.divtricata,D.prolifera,P.cornea,and G.fdicina also reduced the IPS-induced and prostaglandin E,production in a concentration-dependent manner.Expectedly,they suppressed the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 at the protein level in a dose-dependent manner in the RAW264.7 cells,as detennined by western blotting.In addition,the levels of TNF-a and IL-6,released into the medium,were also reduced by D.divaricata,D.prolifera,P.cornea,G,lanceolata,and G.fdicina in a dose-dependent manner(IC_(50)values for TNF-a were 16.11,28.21,84.27,45.52 and74.75μg/mL,respectively;IC_(50),values for IL-6 were 37.35,80.08,103.28,62.53 and 84.28μg/mL,respectively).The total phlorotannin content was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and expressed as phloroglucinol equivalents.The content was 92.0μg/mg for D.divaricata,151.8μg/mg for D.prolifera,57.2μg/mg for P.cornea,53.0 pg/mg for G.lanceolata,and 40.2μg/mg for G.fdicina.Conclusions:Thus,these findings suggest that Jeju seaweed extracts have potential therapeutic applications for inflammatory responses.

Some Mechanism Seaweeds Employ to Cope with Salinity Stress in the Harsh Euhaline Oceanic Environment

In order to prevent salt damage because seaweed enzymes can only operate under hypohaline conditions (salinity ≈ 6‰ - 12‰) but also obtain for photosynthesis an in the aquatic environment—due to a 10,000 fold strongly limited carbon source—seaweeds developed several mechanisms to meet these vital demands for survival in the harsh euhaline oceanic environment (salinity range: 32‰ - 35‰), we tested this range of adaptation mechanisms in the euhaline oceanic collected water in combination with the seaweed moisture. We obtained under laboratory conditions at 10 bar mechanical pressure for four seaweed species: Ulva lactuca, Caulerpa sertularioides, Caulerpa cf. brachypus (all three green) and Undaria pinnatifidia (brown). Oceanic water and seaweed moisture were measured for salinity, pH and by Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP)-techniques concentrations for macro-elements: (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, & S), micro-elements ≈ [HM]: (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb & Zn) and nutrients (N-total & P-total). The [seawater compound X]/[oceanic compound X] ration is a reflection of an inward (uptake) or excretion mechanism over the seaweed cellular membrane which is operative. Our observations gave a clear dispersion to salinity stress with on one hand the green seaweed U. lactuca and on the other the brown seaweed U. pinnatifidia. Both Caulerpa spp. took in an intermediate position. Observed in compensatory responses to salinity stress was ranging Ulva sp. both Caulerpa spp.-Undaria sp.: 1) amount pressed seaweed moisture: [ml/g Fresh Weight];2) salinity: (in ‰);3) Na+ storage vacuole volume;4) Na+:K+ ratio (reflection of K+ as osmolyticum);5) ∑[HM] (as osmolyticum);6) pH (seaweed moisture);7) Nutrients (N & P);8) availability of essential metal elements for plants (Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Mo, Ni);9) transport direction of micro- and macro-elements. Finally, the role of brown vs. green seaweeds in the evolutionary eukaryotic tree of life in relation to the ability of the brown seaweeds to produce their own osmolyticum will be discussed.

Effects of Seaweed Extracts on Promoting Growth and Improving Stress Resistance in Sugarcane

A field investigation was executed in sugarcane producing area of Zhanjiang,Guangdong Province with YT03-373 as the test variety to understand the possible impacts of seaweed extracts on phenology,yield and quality attributes of sugarcane. Foliar application of seaweed extracts were carried out on sugarcane at seedling and tillering stages. Agronomic traits,yield,sugar content,leaf drought resistance and pest resistance of sugarcane were analyzed for optimization of application time at proper phenological stages. The results that compared to the control,the application of seaweed extracts at different stages of sugarcane enhanced production of sugarcane with increase rate of 10. 83%-12. 87%,and improved theoretical sugar yield of sugarcane up to 1. 9 t/ha while enhancing water retention capacity and water content of sugarcane leaves that consequently led to wilting risk reduction by escaping drought and improved resilience to drought impact on sugarcane. Seaweed extracts also performed excellent in pest management of sugarcane,and they exerted different control effects on sugarcane borers,aphids and thrips. An increase in output of sugarcane was observed to be 15. 09% compared to control,while the net income was improved by up to 32. 64% in the seaweed extracts application treatment. Foliar application of seaweed extracts not only enhanced growth,cold resistance,pest resistance,output value but also improved economic returns,giving a positive affirmation for the recommendation of seaweed extract application.

Effect of seaweed coating on quality characteristics and shelf life of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill)

Seaweeds are the natural marine algae which have several properties to act as natural preservatives to extend the shelf life of perishable foods without affecting their quality and causing side effects.Locally available and cheap fruits such as tomato are perishable very easily due to its high water content.Seaweed gel coating is a good choice,easily available and cheap natural preservative abundantly available in the Indian coasts.The present study was undertaken to extend the shelf life of the tomatoes using seaweed gel coating at different concentrations.Two seaweeds namely Kappaphycus alvarezii(red algae)and Sargassum tenerrimum(brown algae)was selected due to their high gelling property.Selected seaweeds were collected in dry form from Aqua Agri Processing Limited,Mana Madurai(SIPCOT)Tamil Nadu,India.The seaweed extracts were tested for phytonutrients,antibacterial and anti-fungal activity using standard procedures.The shelf life of seaweed coated tomatoes using different concentrations of the seaweed extract(gel)was tested.From the results,it is understood that the phytonutrients namely flavonoids,steroids,saponins and tannins are present in both the selected seaweeds.Antibacterial and antifungal activity of Kappaphycus alvarezii showed higher inhibition zone than S.tenerrimum against common pathogens.Quality characteristics and shelf life evaluation was based on water loss,texture,ascorbic acid content,juice content,total soluble solids(TSS),total acidity and TSS/total acidity ratio,respectively.The results pointed out that K.alvarezii was the most effective in maintaining the quality characteristics of tomato fruits and it also supports the fruit quality during storage period than S.tenerrimum.Thus,from the results of the study it is concluded that the better quality characteristics and shelf life of tomatoes can be increased by coating seaweed gel and it can be used as a bio preservative in fruit and vegetable preservation.

The Application of the Seaweeds in Neutralizing the “Ocean Acidification” as a Long-Term Multifaceted Challenge

The global effects of ocean acidification (OA) on coral reefs are of growing concern. Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels, not only has an effect on “global warming”, but also on OA which is called the “other CO2 problem”. OA combined with high ocean temperatures has resulted in a massive bleaching of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean and throughout Southeast Asia over the past decade, which is ultimately lethal. Here we discuss the option if innovative seaweed bio-technology—the Ulva lactuca bioreactor option, with its H+ ion-absorbing capacity and its huge green biomass production of around 50 MT/ha/year—which can stabilize our “World Ocean” and our global coral reefs. From our calculations, we came to the conclusion that an area covered with “Ulva lactuca bioreactors” with a production capacity of 250 × 1016 ha of seaweed per year is needed to remove all H+ ions that cause OA in our “World Ocean” since the beginning of the “Industrial Revolution” ≈ 250 years ago. This is a daunting task and therefore we have opted for a multi-faceted approach including variability in seaweed species, avoidance of eutrophication & heavy-metal accumulation, prevention of global warming by more green-biomass production and a better estimation of the huge Kelp seaweed populations in temperate zones in order to protect our coral reefs for the short term.