Inhibition of norsolorinic acid accumulation to Aspergillus parasiticus by marine actinomycetes

Thirty-six strains of marine actinomycetes were isolated from a sample of marine sediment collected from the Yellow Sea and evaluated in terms of their inhibitory activity on the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and the production of norsolorinic acid using dual culture plate assay and agar diffusion methods. Among them, three strains showed strong antifungal activity and were subsequently identified as Streptomyces sp. by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The supernatant from the fermentation of the MA01 strain was extracted sequentially with chloroform and ethyl acetate, and the activities of the extracts were determined by tip culture assay. The assay results show that both extracts inhibited mycelium growth and toxin production, and the inhibitory activities of the extracts increased as their concentrations increased. The results of this study suggest that marine actinomycetes are biologically important for the control of mycotoxins, and that these bacteria could be used as novel biopesticides against mycotoxins.     

Preliminary study on PAH degradation by bacteria from contaminated sediments in Xiamen Western Sea,Fujian, China

In order to estimate the biodegradation of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds, bacterial strains were isolated from marine sediments in three heavily contaminated sites (Yuandang Lake, Dongdu Port and Aquacultural zones in Maluan Bay) in Xiamen Western Sea. The results show three bacterial strains, which used pyrene as the sole carbon source, were identified as strains of Aureobacterium sp.,Arthrobacter sp., Rhodococcus sp. The PAH-degrading bacteria isolated had a strong ability to degrade phenanhrene, fluoranthene and pyrene at different degradation rates. The highest degradation rate was observed when three PAH compounds were mixed with an individual strain in the medium. The three PAHs were degraded after one week with a degradation rate of 89.94 % for phenanthrene and 93.4 % for both of fluoranthene and pyrene.In addition, after 25 days of incubation, the degradation rate was 99.98 % for phenanthrene and 99.97 % for both of fluoranthene and pyrene. Optical density was measured to estimate bacterial growth during the degradation of PAHs. Highest levels of bacterial growth were observed with a three PAH mixture in the culture, suggesting that the concentration of PAHs influenced bacterial growth and the highest levels of degradation for most series were detected after one week of incubation.     

Genetic improvement on Chinese shrimp （Fenneropenaeus chinensis）： growth and viability performance in F1 hybrids of different populations

Fenneropenaeus chinensis distributed in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of China and the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. Different geographical populations represent potentially different genetic resources. To learn further the characteristics of different geographical population, crosses among two wild and three farmed populations were produced. The two wild populations were from the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea （WYP）, and the west coast of the Korean Peninsula and coast （WKN）. The three farmed populations included the offspring of first generation of wild shrimp from coast in Korea （FKN）, the Huang Hai （the Yellow Sea in Chinese） No.1 （HH1）, and JK98. The phenotypes growth and survival rates of these populations were compared to confirm the feasibility for crossbreeding. The body length （BL）, carapace length （CL）. carapace width （CW）, height of the second and third abdominal segment （HST）, width of the second and third abdominal segment （WST）, length of the first abdominal segment （LF）, length of the last abdominal segment （LL）, live body weight （BW）, and survival rate were measured, Different combinations were statistically performed with ANOVA and Duncan＇s Multiple Range Test. The results show that the survival rate of JK98（♀）×WKN（♂） was the highest, followed by WYP（♀）×WKN（♂）, FKN（♀）×WYP（♂）, FKN（♀）×HHI（♂） and WYP（♀）×FKN（♂）; the body weight of FKN（♀）×HHI（♂） was the highest, followed by FKN（♀）×WYP（♂）, WYP（♀）×WKN（♂）, WYP（♀）×FKN（♂） and JK98（♀）×WKN（♂）; the total length had the same ranking as the body weight. All growth traits in hybrids JK98（♀）×WKN（♂） were the lowest among all combinations. F1 hybrids had significant difference （P〈0.05） in BL, CL, HST, LL, and BW; and insignificant difference （P〉0.05） in other growth traits and survival rate. The results of Duncan＇s Multiple Range Test are that BL and CL of J     

Biomass and carbon storage of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis （Rhodophyta） in Zhanshan Bay,Qingdao, China

Marine macroalgae can absorb carbon and play an important role in carbon sequestration. As an important economic macroalga, Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis has the potential to significantly affect carbon absorption and storage in wave-sheltered intertidal reef systems. However, detailed knowledge on seasonal biomass changes and carbon storage of G. lemaneiformis is lacking, especially in many small and scattered ecosystems. Considering the influence of human activities on wild distribution of G. lemaneiformis, the understanding of seasonal dynamics of an economically important species in nature is necessary. In this study, we first investigated seasonal variations in biomass, coverage area, and carbon storage during low tide from August 2011 to July 2012 in Zhanshan Bay, Qingdao, China. Furthermore, we estimated the carbon storage potential of wild G. lemaneiformis using light use efficiency(LUE). The results show that the standing biomass and coverage area changed significantly with season. However, seasonal variations in carbon content and water content were not obvious, with an average content of 35.1% and 83.64%, respectively. Moreover, carbon storage in individual months varied between 0.67 and 47.03 g C/m 2, and the value of carbon storage was the highest in August and June and the lowest in February. In Zhanshan Bay, LUE of G. lemaneiformis was only 0.23%. If it is increased to the theoretical maximum(5%–6%), the carbon storage will have an increase of at least 21 times compared with the current, which suggested that carbon storage of wild G. lemaneiformis had a high enhancement potential. The study will help to assess a potential role of G. lemaneiformis in reducing atmospheric CO2.     

Stability evaluation of radial growth of Picea schrenkiana in different age groups in response to climate change in the eastern Tianshan Mountains

Global warming causes an unstable response in tree radial growth at high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, different climatic responses of different age groups of trees have been found due to their different physiological mechanisms.In this study, the response stability and growth trend of three age groups(young 100 a, middle 100-200 a, old ≥ 200 a) of Picea schrenkiana(Schrenk spruce) to climate change and the causes of the different responses in different age groups were analyzed in the relatively dry climate of the eastern Tianshan Mountains. The results showed that:(1) With the abrupt increase in temperature in 1989, the annual mean minimum temperature became the dominant radial growth-limiting factor of the three age groups of Schrenk spruce.(2) The radial growth of the middle and young groups was more sensitive than that of the old group based on growth-climate correlation analysis.(3) The radial growth of the different age groups had different responses to climate factors, and all age groups were unstable on time scales.(4) The trend of the linear regression simulation of the basal area increment(BAI) indicated that the Schrenk spruce had the same growth trends in different age groups with growth first increased and then decreased; however, the decreased growth rate was higher in the middle and young age groups than in the old age group after the abrupt increase in temperature. Therefore, we should pay active attention to the impact of drought on Schrenk spruce in the eastern Tianshan Mountains and should particularly strengthen the conservation and management of the middle and young age groups.     

EFFECTS OF CO—CULTURE AND SALINITY ON THE GROWTH AND AGAR YIELD OF GRACILARIA TENUISTIPITATA VAR LIUI ZHANG ET XIA

Gracilaria tenuistipitata var Liui were mono-cultivated and co-cultivated with Pinctada martensii under high(33) and low(21) salinity conditions in laboratory.The daily growth rate of the alga was determined.Tissue carbon and nitrogen contents,the yield and fractional composition of agar were analyzed.Results showed that:1.Gracilaria grew better under low salinity conditions,the daily growth rate was twice that under high salinity conditions.Co-cultivated algae grew faster than mono-culti-vated algae under low salinity conditions,the daily growth rate was about 37.6?higher.2.Compared with mono-cultivated algae,tissue nitrogen contents of co-cultivated algae were higher,while the C:N ratios were much lower.3.The agar yields of co-cultivated algae were much lower than those of mono-culti-vated algae.Agar yield was found to be negatively correlated to the tissue nitrogen contents,and positively correlated to the C:N ratios.4.The highest fractional yields obtained from co-cultivated algae were extracted with 40?ethanol,while from mono-cultivated algae,the highest fractional yields obtained were extracted with distilled water at room temperature.     

Discussion on origin of clay minerals in outcropped sandstone from Lower Cretaceous Chengzihe Formation and Muling Formation in Jixi Basin

Clay minerals in the outcropped sandstone from Lower Cretaceous Chengzihe Formation and Muling Formation in Jixi Basin were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The results show that the clay minerals mainly consist of illite, kaollinite and illite/smectite, which can be divided into two types： kaolinite- and illite/smectite types. The outcropped sandstone occurred in middle diagenetic stage-A on the basis of the clay mineral composition. The development factor of the formation of kaolinite type clay mineral is caused mainly by the organic acid from the coal-bearing formation and nmdstone during the diagenesis process in Lower Cretaceous Chengzihe Formation and Muling Formation in the Jixi Basin. The weak hydrodynamic force of sedimentary facies made the sandstone leaching condition poor, which is the reason forming the aggregation of clay minerals of the illite/ smectite-and illite types.     

Biogenic silica in surficial sediments of Prydz Bay,Antarctica

The content and distribution of biogenic silica were investigated in sediment cores from Prydz Bay, Antarctica, during the CHINARE-18/2L cruise. The results show that the content of biogenic silica（ BSiO2 ） is ranged from 4.89% to 85. 41% , and the average content of biogenic silica is 30.90%, the highest value oc- curred at the IV-10 station. The profile of BSiO2 in sediment is contrast to that of sili- cate in the interstitial water. The content of biogenic silica and organic carbon in the surface sediments in the central area of Prydz Bay gyre were much higher than those in other area, and closely related to the Chla content and primary productivity of phyto- plankton in the surface water column.     

Three tropical seagrasses as potential bio-indicators to trace metals in Xincun Bay, Hainan Island, South China

Concentrations of the trace metals Cu,Cd,Pb,and Zn were measured in seawater,rhizosphere sediments,interstitial water,and the tissues of three tropical species of seagrasses (Thalassia hemprichii,Enhalus acoroides and Cymodocea rotundata) from Xincun Bay of Hainan Island,South China.We analyzed different environmental compartments and the highest concentrations of Pb and Zn were found in the interstitial and seawater.The concentrations of Cd and Zn were significantly higher in blades compared with roots or rhizomes in T.hemprichii and E.acoroides,respectively.A metal pollution index (MPI) demonstrated that sediment,interstitial water,and seagrasses in the sites located nearest anthropogenic sources of pollution had the most abundant metal concentrations.There was obvious seasonal variation of these metals in the three seagrasses with higher concentrations of Cu,Pb and Zn in January and Cd in July.Furthermore,the relationships between metal concentrations in seagrasses and environmental compartments were positively correlated significantly.The bioconcentration factors (BCF) demonstrated that Cd from the tissues of the three seagrasses might be absorbed from the sediment by the roots.However,for C.rotundata,Zn is likely to be derived from the seawater through its blades.Therefore,the blades of T.hemprichii,E.acoroides and C.rotundata are potential bio-indicators to Cd content in sediment,and additionally Zn content (C.rotundata only) in seawater.     

Photosynthetic responses of thalli and isolated protoplasts of Bryopsis hypnoides (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) during dehydration

Bryopsis hypnoides Lamouroux is a unique intertidal siphonous green alga whose extruded protoplasm can aggregate spontaneously in seawater to form numerous new cells that can develop into mature algal thalli.In this study,the photosynthetic responses during dehydration of both the thalli and protoplasts isolated from B.hypnoides were measured using a Dual-PAM(pulse amplitude modulation)-100 fluorometer.The results show that the photosynthetic rates of B.hypnoides thalli were maintained for an initial period,beyond which continued desiccation resulted in reduced rates of PSI and PSII.However,the photosynthetic performances of the isolated protoplasts dehydrated in air(CO2 concentration 600±700 mg/L) showed a slight increase of Y(II) at 20% water loss,but the rates decreased thereafter with declining water content.When protoplasts were dehydrated in CO2 deficient conditions(CO2 concentration 40±80 mg/L),the values of Y(II) declined steadily with increased dehydration without an initial rise.These results indicated that the thalli and isolated protoplasts of this alga can utilize CO2 in ambient air effectively,and the photosynthetic performances of the isolated protoplasts were significantly different from that of the thalli during dehydration.Thus the protoplasts may be an excellent system for the study of stress tolerance.     

Effect of Long-Term Low-Salinity Culture on the Survival,Growth, and Nutrient Composition of Mud Crab Scylla paramamosain

This study investigated the effects of long-term low-salinity on the growth performance,proximate composition,amino acid and fatty acid profiles of Scylla paramamosain.The salinity of the low-salinity-culture group(LC)and maintained-salinity-cul-ture group(MC)were set at 5 and 25 respectively.After rearing for 30 d,the survival rate(SR)of the LC group was significantly lower,whereas the average daily molting frequency(ADMF)was significantly higher than those in MC group(P<0.05).There were no significant difference for weight gain rate(WGR)and specific growth rate(SGR)between the two groups.The moisture content of the LC group was slightly higher than the MC group without significant difference.The contents of ash,crude lipid and crude pro-tein in the LC group were lower than those in the MC group,but no significant differences were found except for ash content.A total of 17 free amino acids and 23 fatty acids were identified from the muscle of S.paramamosain.The total amino acids(TAA),essen-tial amino acids(EAA)and essential amino acid index(EAAI)had no significant difference between the two groups.The crabs from LC group had a significantly higher HUFA,including EPA,DHA,ARA.The percentage of n-3 PUFA and the ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFA were significantly higher in the LC group.These results indicated that S.paramamosain rearing at low salinity had significantly de-creased SR;however,the low-salinity environment significantly promoted the accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids(UFAs),espe-cially the n-3 PUFA,which might be related to the osmoregulation mechanism.     

STUDIES ON COLOR TYPE VARIANTSFROM MUTAGENIZED PROTOPLASTS OFPORPHYRA HAITANENSIS CHANG ET ZHENG& P. YEZOENSIS UEDA (RHODOPHYCEASE )

Isolated protoplasts from thalli of Porphyra haitanensis and Porphyra yezoensis were treated with colchicine or irradiated by ultraviolet (UV ). Several types of color variants were observed among the protoplast offspring. After treatment with colchicine: (1) 0.04-0.09% of red type variants in P. haitanensis were obtained; (2) The rate of red type variants and the variegated chimeral thalli composed of red type and wild type of sectors were 6.31- 1.11% in P. yezoensis. After irradiation with UV: (1) 3.5- 10.5% of red type variants in P. yezoensis were obtained: (2) 0.5-2-0% of red type variants and the variegated chimeral thalli composed of red type and wild type of sectors were obtained in P. haitanensis. Colchicine and UV's mutangenic effects on P. yezoensis protoplasts were stronger than those on P. haitanensis protoplasts. The most efficient concentration of colchicine was 0.05%. The optimal length of UV-radiation was 1/2 min (radiation distance 5 cm). The red type variants induced, by colchicine tr     

THE BETAINES FROM CHINESE SEAWEEDS

Cation-exchange chromatography was selected to extract and separate betaines from marine algae. On the basis of the special chemical characteristics of the betaines and their analogues,Dragendorff‘ s reagent ( KBiI4 ) was used to test the existence of betaines and their analogues in marine algae. The total content of betaines from seven species was obtained by using the Reinkeate salt precipitation method. The results showed that the content of betaines in two species of Chlorophyta and two species of Rhodophyta were relatively high, and that the content of betaines in Enteromopha prolifera could even reach to 0.9%. The content in the three species of Phaeophyta was relatively low.     

COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON STRUCTURAL FEATURE OF AGAR POLYSACCHARIDES FROM PORPHYRA HAITANENSIS GROWN IN SOUTH AND NORTH CHINA

The structural feature of agar polysaccharides from Porphyra haitanensis grown in south China and transplanted to the north was investigated by fractioriation on DEAE - Sephadex A 50, chemical analysis, and infrared and 13C - NMR spectroscopy.The agars composed mainly of Charged molecules were eluted from DEAE - Sephadex A 50 with 1.0 mol/L- NaCl solution from the southern P. haitanensis and with 0.5 mol/L NaCl from the northern one. The 13C-NMR spectra showed that agarobiose [(1 -3)- B D - galactopyranosyl - (1 -4)-3,6-anhydro-a-L-galactopyranose] and the biological precursor of agarobiose [(1-3} B-D-galactopyra nosyl- (1-4)- 6- sulfate-a- L-galactopyranose ] were the major disaccharide repeating units in the charged fractions. The content of the biological precur sor in the agar polysaccharides from southern P. haitanensis was higher than that in the northern one, the content of the biological precursor extracted from cold water was higher than that from hot water, and the content of 6- OMe-D-galactos     

The distribution and characteristics of suspended particulate matter in the Chukchi Sea

Samples taken from the Chukchi Sea （CS） during the 4th Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition, 2010, were analyzed to determine the content and composition of suspended particulate matter （SPM） to improve our understanding of the distribution, sources and control factors of the SPM there. The results show that the SPM in the water column is highest in the middle and near the bottom in the south and central-north CS, followed by that off the Alaskan coast and in Barrow Canyon. The SPM content is lowest in the central CS. Scanning electron microscope （SEM） analysis shows that the SPM in the south and central-north CS is composed mainly of diatoms, but the dominant species in those two areas are different. The SPM off the Alaskan coast and in Barrow Canyon is composed mainly of terrigenous material with few bio-skeletal clasts. The distribution of temperature and salinity and the correlation between diatom species in SPM indicate that the diatom dominant SPM in the south CS is from the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait in summer. The diatom dominant SPM in the central-north CS is also from Pacific water, which reaches the CS in winter. The SPM in the middle and near the bottom of the water column off the Alaskan coast and in Barrow Canyon is from Alaskan coastal water and terrigenous material transported by rivers in Alaska.     

Preparation and characterization of agar,agarose, and agaropectin from the red alga Ahnfeltia plicata

Agar, agarose, and agaropectin were extracted from the red alga Ahnfeltia plicata, and their properties and structures were characterized. Agar was extracted by a comparatively low alkaline consumption of 1.2%. It exhibited a gel strength of 1 152.50±74.25 g/cm~2 and a sulfate content of 0.55%±0.08%. The yield of agar from A. plicata was 24.53%, which is higher than those of other agarophytes commonly used in China. Three kinds of the method were compared for the purification of agarose, and the physicochemical properties of agarose that was prepared under the optimal condition were identical to those of commercially available agarose. Furthermore, agaropectin was purified from A. plicata and characterized by GC, HPLC,UV-spectrum, and FI-IR to understand its composition and structure. It was the first time to comprehensively study the agar and its fractions from the red alga of A. plicata. This research provided an eco-friendly agar extraction method from A. plicata and revealed its potential application for the production of agar, agarose,and agaropectin.     

A review of Epipenaeon ingens Nobili, 1906 (Isopoda: Bopyridae) host species and documentation of a new host, Metapenaeopsis stridulans (Alcock, 1905) (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

We collected 3 596 Metapenaeopsis stridulans (Decapoda: Penaeidae) from the southeast coast of India between January and December 2007. Sixty three specimens (43 females and 18 males) were parasitized by the bopyrid isopod Epipenaeon ingens (Isopoda: Bopyridae). This is the first report of the occurrence of E. ingens in this host; therefore, it was considered as a new host record. The highest level of infestation (3.2%) occurred in October 2007, coincident with observations of gravid females (9). The total prevalence and presence of gravid females were 17.46% and 28%, respectively. Infestation caused a characteristic bulge of the branchial chamber, growth retardation, and degeneration of the sex organs, but had no effect on the host weight.     

Phylogenetic analyses of four species of Ulva and Monostroma grevillei using ITS, rbc L and 18S rDNA sequence data

Chlorophyta species are common in the southern and northern coastal areas of China. In recent years, frequent green tide incidents in Chinese coastal waters have raised concerns and attracted the attention of scientists. In this paper, we sequenced the 18S rDNA genes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the rbcL genes in seven organisms and obtained 536-566 bp long ITS sequences, 1 377-1 407 bp long rbcL sequences and 1 718-1 761 bp long partial 18S rDNA sequences. The GC base pair content was highest in the ITS regions and lowest in the rbcL genes. The sequencing results showed that the three Ulva prolifera (or U. pertusa) gene sequences from Qingdao and Nan’ao Island were identical. The ITS, 18S rDNA and rbcL genes in U. prolifera and U. pertusa from different sea areas in China were unchanged by geographic distance. U. flexuosa had the least evolutionary distance from U. californica in both the ITS regions (0.009) and the 18S rDNA (0.002). These data verified that Ulva and Enteromorpha are not separate genera.