Extraction of agar from Eucheuma cottonii and Gelidium amansii seaweeds with sonication pretreatment using autoclaving method

The effect of sonication pretreatment condition on Eucheuma cottonii and Gelidium amansii seaweed towards agar extraction wae studied. Four parameters were changed during sonication to investigate the effects on agar yield and quality. These parameters include the time interval, concentration ratio, frequency, and intensity. The highest amount of agar extracted from Eucheuma cottonii species could be obtained from the time interval of 30 min, seaweed weight to solvent volume ratio of 1:20, the frequency of 35 Hz, and the sonication power intensity of 30%. For Gelidium amansii species, the best agar yield also could be obtained from the time interval of 30 min, 1:20 of seaweed weight to water volume ratio, the frequency of 35 Hz, and power intensity of 30%. From the experiment, sonication pretreatment significantly influenced the yield and properties of extracted agar. The sonication with autoclaved seaweed produced agar containing less sulfate content, which is an excellent chemical property for gel electrophoresis applications.The gel strength of sonication with autoclaving for both seaweeds, Eucheuma and Gelidium species was the highest among those by sonication with direct heating, which proved that sonication pretreatment with autoclaving could enhance the physical properties of the agar.     

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

INTRODUCTIONIthaslongbeenknownthatfatsundergoslowautoxidationduringstorage;andthatantioxidantswhichscavengefreeradicalsexistingduringtheinitialstageorearlypropagationstageoflipidoxida tioncanpreventrancidity ,soantioxidantsareoftenusedasfoodadditivescapableofdelaying ,re tardingorpreventingtherancidityinlipidsduetooxidation .Inthissense ,anidealantioxidantshouldhavethefollowingcharacteristics:safeinuse ,noodor,flavororcolor,effectiveatlowcon centration ,easytoincorporateandavailableatlowco…     

Effect of nitrogen to phosphorus ratios on cell proliferation in marine micro algae

The ratio of nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) is known to affect cell proliferation of some marine micro algae. We evaluated the effect of N/P ratios on the proliferation and succession of phytoplankton using five marine micro algae species. We used two sources of nitrogen, NH₄Cl (N₁) and urea (N₂), and a single source of phosphorous, NaH₂PO₄(P). The optimal N/P ratio that differed among the five species was affected by the source of nitrogen, being as follows (N₁/P, N₂/P in order): Thalassiosira sp. (30/1, 20/1), Heterosigma akashiwo (30/1, 30/1), Chroomonas salina (20/1, 30/1), Chaetoceros gracilis (40/1, 60/1), and Alexandrium sp. (10/1, 30/1). Thus, the source of nitrogen must be considered when analyzing the N/P ratio. Our results provide insight for predicting phytoplankton succession in coastal waters and may be used to forecast the potential risk of harmful algal blooms.     

Toxicity and Accumulation of Selenite in Four Microalgae

The toxicity and bioaccumulation of selenite in four microalgae, Spirulina platensis,Dunaliella salina, DunalieUa bardawill and Phaeodactylum tricornutum cultured in the presence of selenite were investigated. Lower concentrations of selenite were generally nontoxic and frequently stimulated algal growth, while higher concentrations of selenite inhibited algal growth. Selenite was more toxic to D. salina and D. bardawill than to S. platensis and P. tricornutum. All algae cultured in selenite were able to incorporate Se to different degrees, which depended on algal species. The distributions of selenite among intracellular macromolecular compounds were different among algal species : most of the selenite was associated with proteins in S. platensis, D. salina and D. bardawill, while most of the selenite was associated with lipids in P. tricornutum, which reflected the physiological differences among the algae. These observations suggest that algae are able to accumulate selenite and bind it with intracell~ar macromolecular compounds when exposed to high concentration of selenite. This may represent a form of storage or detoxification of selenite by the algae.     

STUDY ON THE PHYTOPLANKTON.IN A LARGE RESERVOIR

A comprehensive study on the community structure and function of the phytoplankton in Taipinghu Reservoir, the largest reservoir (9400 ha) in Anhui Province, China, was carried out dur ing 1985- 1986. A total of 175 species of algae belonging to 8 phyla and 87 genera was noted. The composition of phytoplankton was dominated by species of Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Bacillariophyta. The species number, cell density and biomass of the three groups were respectively 88%, 86.5% and 78.9% of the total phytopiankton. The weighted annual average biomass was 1.52 mg/L and cell density was 1.43 x 106 ind/L. The growth maximum was observed in summer. Diatoms were abundant in the region adjoining a river. A large number of flagellated algae such as Euglena and Chromulina occurred in the artificial fish culture bay.It can be inferred from the algal composition and total nitrogen concentration (1.48mg/L) that this reservoir is a mesotrophic water body that had undergone slight natural eutrophication.Presented are an     

Community structure of epiphytic algae on three different macrophytes at Acarlar floodplain forest （northern Turkey）

The aim of this study was to determine the species composition, biodiversity and, relative abundance of epiphytic algae and their relationship with environmental variables on three different macrophytes( Nymphaea alba, Ceratophyllum demersum, Typha latifolia) at Acarlar Floodplain Forest(AFF). Epiphytic algae were gathered monthly by collecting aquatic plants between November 2011 and October 2012, except in winter when there were no plants. In this study, 67 taxa on N. alba, 66 taxa on C. demersum and 66 taxa on T. latifolia were identified as epiphytic algae. The mean value of species richness was 17, that of diversity was 1.5 and that of evenness was 0.54 for epiphytic algae on N. alba, 17, 1.1, and 0.39 on C. demersum, and 18, 1.64, and 0.56 on T. latifolia, respectively. Oscillatoria sp. and Komvophoron crassum(Vozzen) Anagnostidis and Komárek were the most abundant and consistent epiphytic algal species, occurring in high abundance on all macrophytes. Results show that species composition of epiphytic algae was different, but diversity values were similar on all the macrophytes. The hydrological pulse is one of the most important factors determining the physical and chemical environment of the epiphytic algal community. However, substrate type also affected the colonization by F. capucina, O. sancta, P. catenata, and L. truncicola more than the epiphytic algal seasonality.     

Study on the phytoplankton · in a large reservoir

A comprehensive study on the community structure and function of the phytoplankton in Taipinghu Reservoir, the largest reservoir (9400 ha) in Anhui Province, China, was carried out during 1985–1986. A total of 175 species of algae belonging to 8 phyla and 87 genera was noted. The composition of phytoplankton was dominated by species of Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Bacillariophyta. The species number, cell density and biomass of the three groups were respectively 88%, 86.5% and 78.9% of the total phytoplankton. The weighted annual average biomass was 1.52 mg/L and cell density was 1.43×10⁶ ind/L. The growth maximum was observed in summer. Diatoms were abundant in the region adjoining a river. A large number of flagellated algae such asEuglena andChromulina occurred in the artificial fish culture bay. It can be inferred from the algal composition and total nitrogen concentration (1.48 mg/L) that this reservoir is a mesotrophic water body that had undergone slight natural eutrophication. Presented are an equation for the relation between cell density and biomass of algae and a newly developed method based on the energy flow principle in ecology for theoretically estimating algal fishery potential. The algae volumes of 128 species were measured for calculating the biomass.     

Comparative studies on spectral properties of R-phycoerythrin from the red seaweeds from Qingdao

The present paper reports on comparative studies of R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) from 30 species of the red seaweeds in Bangiophyceae and in Florideophyceae from Qingdao. The measured absorption spectra show that R-PE from these red seaweeds have two spectral types, namely type I having two absorption peaks and type II having three absorption peaks. 9 specise of a lower red seaweed belonging to Bangiophyceae are all type I R-PE. 3 species of a higher red seaweed belonging to Florideophyceae are also type I R-PE. The remaining 18 species are all type II R-PE. According to the distribution of two types of R-PE in red algae, an evolutionary trend from type I R-PE to type II R-PE, can be seen, but this evolutionary process is more complicated and without a definite line of demarcation between the two spectral types of R-PE. The occurrence of two types of R-PE in red algae is of taxonomic significance. Project supported by the Science Fund of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Contribution No. 1357 from the Institute of Oceanology, Academia Sinica.     

Influence of light availability on the specific density,size and sinking loss of Anabaena flos-aquae and Scenedesmus obliquus

Harmful algal blooms in eutrophic waters pose a serious threat to freshwater ecosystems and human health. In-situ light availability control is one of the most commonly used technologies to suppress algae in lakes and reservoirs. To develop a better understanding of the effects of light on algal growth, specific density, colony size and sinking loss, Anabaena flos-aquae(cyanobacteria) and Scenedesmus obliquus(green algae) were evaluated in varying light scenarios. The results showed that the specific density and colony size of these two species varied during growth, and there were obvious differences among the light scenarios. At the end of exponential phase, S. obliquus incubated under light-limited condition maintained a higher specific density and formed larger aggregates, whereas A. flos-aquae formed a longer filament length. Both species exhibited higher sinking loss rates with lower light availability. These results implied that the sinking loss rate was not always constant but should be considered as a variable response to the change of light availability, and in-situ light availability control might result in a significant increase of the sinking loss of algae due to the change of size and specific density, thereby further affecting the algal biomass in the water column.     

Biofilm formation under high temperature causes the commensal bacteria Bacillus cereus WPySW2 to shift from friend to foe in Neoporphyra haitanensis in vitro model

Although biofilm formation may promote growth, biofilms are not always beneficial to their hosts. The biofilm formation characteristics of Bacillus cereus WPySW2 and its changes at different temperatures were studied. Results show that B. cereus WPySW2 promoted the growth of Neoporphyra haitanensis (an economically cultivated seaweed) at 20 °C but accelerated algal rot at 28 °C. Thicker B. cereus WPySW2 biofilms covered the surface of N. haitanensis thalli at 28 °C, which hindered material exchange between the algae and surrounding environment, inhibited algal photosynthesis and respiration, and accelerated algal decay. Compared with planktonic bacteria, mature biofilm cells had lower energy consumption and metabolic levels. The biofilm metabolic characteristics of B. cereus WPySW2 changed significantly with temperature. High temperature accelerated biofilm maturation, which made it thicker and more stable, allowing the bacteria to easily adapt to environmental changes and obtain greater benefits from their host. High temperature did not affect the production or increased the abundance of toxic metabolites, indicating that the negative effects of B. cereus WPySW2 on algae were not caused by toxins. This study shows that increased temperature can transform a harmless bacterium into a detrimental one, demonstrating that temperature may change the ecological function of phycospheric bacteria by affecting their morphology and metabolism.

     

Abundance, biomass and composition of spring ice algal and phytoplankton communities of the Laptev Sea （Arctic）

Abundance,biomass and composition of the ice algal and phytoplank-ton communities were investigated in the southeastern Laptev Sea in spring 1999.Diatoms dominated the algal communities and pennate diatoms dominated the dia-tom population.12 dominant algal species occurred within sea ice and underlyingwater column,including Fragilariopsis oceanica,F.cylindrus,Nitzschiafrigida,N.promare,Achnanthes taeniata,Nitzschia neofrigida,Naviculapelagica,N.vanhoef fenii,N.septentrionalis,Melosira arctica,Clindrothecaclosterium and Pyrarnimonas sp.The algal abundance of bottom 10 cm sea icevaried between 14.6 and 1562.2×10~4 ceils l~(-1)with an average of 639.0×10~4cells l~(-1),and the algal biomass ranged from 7.89 to 2093.5μg C l~(-1)with an av-erage of 886.9μg C l~(-1),which were generally one order of magnitude higherthan those of sub-bottom ice and two orders of magnitude higher than those ofunderlying surface water.The integrated algal abundance and biomass of lower-most 20 cm ice column were averagely 7.7 and 12.2 times as those of upper 20 mwater column,respectively,suggesting that the ice algae might play an importantrole in maintaining the coastal marine ecosystem before the thawing of sea ice.Icealgae influenced the phytoplankton community of the underlying water column.However,the“seeding”of ice algae for phytoplankton bloom was negligible be-cause of the iow phytoplankton biomass within the underlying water column.     

Seasonal change of ice algal and phytoplankton assemblages in the Nella Fjord near Zhongshan Station, East Antarctica

The ice algal and phytoplankton assemblages were studied from Nella Fjord near Zhongshan Station, East Antarctica from April 12 to December 30, 1992. Algal blooms occurred about 3 cm thick on the bottom of sea ice in late April and mid November to early December respectively, and a phytoplankton bloom appeared in the underlying surface water in mid December following the spring ice algal bloom. The biomass in ice bottom was 1 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of surface water. Amphiprora kjellmanii, Berkeleya sp., Navicula glaciei, Nitzschia barkelyi, N. cylindrus /N. curta, N. lecointei and Nitzschia sp. were common in the sea ice temporarily or throughout the study period. The biomass in a certain ice segment was decreased gradually and the dominant species were usually succeeded as the season went on. Nitzschia sublineata and Dactyliosolen antarctica were two seasonal dominant species only observed in underlying water column. The assemblages between bottom of ice and underlying surface water were different except when spring ice algae bloomed. The evidence shows that the ice algal blooms occurred mainly by in situ growth of ice algae, and the phytoplankton bloom was mostly caused by the release of ice algae.     

Seasonal succession of phytoplankton in response to the variation of environmental factors in the Gaolan River, Three Gorges Reservoir, China

To understand the responses of a freshwater ecosystem to the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), phytoplankton was monitored in the tributaries of the TGR area. From August 2010 to July 2011, algal species composition, abundance, chlorophyll a and other environmental parameters were investigated in the Gaolan River, which is a tributary of Xiangxi River. Thirty-one algal genera from seven phyla were identified. Results show that the lowest concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) were 0.06 mg/L and 1.08 mg/L, respectively. The values of TP and TN exceeded the threshold concentration of the eutrophic state suggested for freshwater bodies. In the Gaolan River, the succession of phytoplankton showed clear seasonal characteristics. Different dominant species were observed among seasons under the control of environment factors. In spring and summer, the dominant species were Nitzschia sp. and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralfs, the limiting nutrient was NO ₃ ^? -N, and the key environmental factor for phytoplankton population succession was water temperature (WT). In autumn and winter, the dominant species were A. flos-aquae and Chlorella sp., the limiting nutrient was PO ₄ ^3? -P, and the key environmental factors were transparency and WT. This study illustrates the influence of physical and chemical factors on phytoplankton seasonal succession in a tributary of TGR since the downstream regions of Xiangxi River and Gaolan River became reservoirs after impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam. We suggest that this activity has significantly affected water quality in the dam area.     

Fluorometric discrimination technique of phytoplankton population based on wavelet analysis

The discrete excitation-emission-matrix fluorescence spectra (EEMS) at 12 excitation wavelengths (400, 430, 450, 460, 470, 490, 500, 510, 525, 550, 570, and 590 nm) and emission wavelengths ranging from 600-750 nm were determined for 43 phytoplankton species. A two-rank fluorescence spectra database was established by wavelet analysis and a fluorometric discrimination technique for determining phytoplankton population was developed. For laboratory simulatively mixed samples, the samples mixed from 43 algal species (the algae of one division accounted for 25%, 50%, 75%, 85%, and 100% of the gross biomass, respectively), the average discrimination rates at the level of division were 65.0%, 87.5%, 98.6%, 99.0%, and 99.1%, with average relative contents of 18.9%, 44.5%, 68.9%, 73.4%, and 82.9%, respectively; the samples mixed from 32 red tide algal species (the dominant species accounted for 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% of the gross biomass, respectively), the average correct discrimination rates of the dominant species at the level of genus were 63.3%, 74.2%, 78.8%, 83.4%, and 79.4%, respectively. For the 81 laboratory mixed samples with the dominant species accounting for 75% of the gross biomass (chlorophyll), the discrimination rates of the dominant species were 95.1% and 72.8% at the level of division and genus, respectively. For the 12 samples collected from the mesocosm experiment in Maidao Bay of Qingdao in August 2007, the dominant species of the 11 samples were recognized at the division level and the dominant species of four of the five samples in which the dominant species accounted for more than 80% of the gross biomass were discriminated at the genus level; for the 12 samples obtained from Jiaozhou Bay in August 2007, the dominant species of all the 12 samples were recognized at the division level. The technique can be directly applied to fluorescence spectrophotometers and to the developing of an in situ algae fluorescence auto-analyzer for phytoplankton population.     

Removal of eutrophication factors and heavy metal from a closed cultivation system using the macroalgae, Gracilaria sp. (Rhodophyta)

In this study, the ability of macroalgae Gracilaria sp. of removing eutrophication factors and toxic heavy metals Al, Cr, and Zn in a closed cultivation system is reported. The results show that the concentration of the three heavy metals decreased significantly during the experimental period in an algal biomass dependent manner. The biofiltration capacity of the alga for Al, Cr, and Zn is 10.1%–72.6%, 52.5%–83.4% and 36.5%–91.7%, respectively. Using more materials resulted in stronger heavy metal removal. Additionally, the concentration of chl-a, TN, TP and DIN of water samples from aquariums involving large, medium, and small algal biomass cultivation increased first and then decreased during the experiment. COD value of all three groups decreased with time and displayed algal biomass dependency: more algae resulting in a greater COD value than those of less biomass. Furthermore, changes in COD reflect an obvious organic particles deprivation process of algae. This is the first report on heavy metal removal effect by Gracilaria species. The results suggest that macroalgae can be used as a biofilter for the treatment of nutrient-enriched or heavy-metal polluted water, to which an appropriate time range should be carefully determined.     

Biosorption of Cr (VI), Cr (III), Pb (II) and Cd (II) from aqueous solutions by Sargassum wightii and Caulerpa racemosa algal biomass

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most important environmental problems today.Biosorption is an innovative tech-nology that employs biological materials to accumulate heavy metals from waste water through metabolic process or physicochemi-cal pathways of uptake.Even though several physical and chemical methods are available for removal of heavy metals,currently many biological materials such as bacteria,algae,yeasts and fungi have been widely used due to their good performance,low cost and large quantity of availability.The aim of the present study is to explore the biosorption of toxic heavy metals,Cr(VI),Cr(III),Pb(II) and Cd(II) by algal biomass obtained from algae Sargassum wightii(brown) and Caulerpa racemosa(green).Biosorption of algal biomass was found to be biomass concentration-and pH-dependent,while the maximal biosorption was found at pH 5.0 and with the metal concentration of 100 mg L-1.S.wightii showed the maximal metal biosorption at the biomass concentration of 25 g L-1,followed by C.racemosa with the maximal biosorption at 30 g L-1.S.wightii showed 78% biosorption of Cr(VI),Cr(III),Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions.C.racemosa exhibited 85% biosorption of Cd(II) and Cr(VI),and 50% biosorption of Cr(III) and Pb(II).The results of our study suggest that seaweed biomass can be used efficiently for     

SPECIES COMPOSITION, HORIZONTAL DISTRIBUTION AND SEASONAL SUCCESSION OF PHYTOPLANKTON IN THE CHANNEL FROM DONGTING LAKE TO THE CHANGJIANG RIVER, CHINA

The species composition, horizontal distribution and seasonal succession of the phyto-plankton at five sampling stations in the channel between Dongting Lake and the Changjiang River, China were studied from May 1995 to December 1997. A total of 416 taxa were observed; diatoms comprised the most diverse taxonomic group representing 58.2 % of the total species. The β-mezotrophic indicators were 92 taxa or 22 % of the total, the a-mezotrophic or α, β-eutrophic indicators decreased distinctly to 20 taxa or 4.8 % of the total. The species number and composition of various phyla were approximately similar at Stations 1, 2, 3 and 4, but at Station 5 the number of species was the minimum and the ratio of diatoms to total phytoplankton in the number of species was the highest. In seasonal succession of the phytoplank-ton species, the number was the highest in May and June, lower in December, January, March and July in the channel. The dominant species were different in different months. The ratio of diatoms species number to blue green algae and green algae species number diminished gradually from winter to summer and autumn, and then increased gradually from autumn to winter and early spring in the annual cycle. Margalef, Simpson and Shannon—Weaver diversity indices changed in different months, their values were higher in winter, lower in summer. Nygaard‘s diatoms quotients were lower in winter, then in spring and autumn, higher in summer. These results indicated that the water quality was the best in winter, better in spring and autumn than in summer. The relationship between the structure of the phytoplankton communi-ty and the water environmental quality was discussed.     

Acute toxicity of live and decomposing green alga Ulva (Enteromorpha) prolifera to abalone Haliotis discus hannai

From 2007 to 2009, large-scale blooms of green algae (the so-called “green tides”) occurred every summer in the Yellow Sea, China. In June 2008, huge amounts of floating green algae accumulated along the coast of Qingdao and led to mass mortality of cultured abalone and sea cucumber. However, the mechanism for the mass mortality of cultured animals remains undetermined. This study examined the toxic effects of Ulva (Enteromorpha) prolifera, the causative species of green tides in the Yellow Sea during the last three years. The acute toxicity of fresh culture medium and decomposing algal effluent of U. prolifera to the cultured abalone Haliotis discus hannai were tested. It was found that both fresh culture medium and decomposing algal effluent had toxic effects to abalone, and decomposing algal effluent was more toxic than fresh culture medium. The acute toxicity of decomposing algal effluent could be attributed to the ammonia and sulfide presented in the effluent, as well as the hypoxia caused by the decomposition process.     

Numerical simulation of an algal bloom in Dianshan Lake

A hydrodynamic model and an aquatic ecology model of Dianshan Lake,Shanghai,were built using a hydrodynamic simulation module and the water quality simulation module of Delft3D,which is an integrated modelling suite offered by Deltares. The simulated water elevation,current velocity,and direction were validated with observed data to ensure the reliability of hydrodynamic model. The seasonal growth of different algae was analyzed with consideration of observed and historical data,as well as simulated results. In 2008,the dominant algae in Dianshan Lake was Bacillariophyta from February to March,while it was Chlorophyta from April to May,and Cyanophyta from July to August. In summer,the biomass of Cyanophyta grew quickly,reaching levels much higher than the peaks of Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta. Algae blooms primarily occurred in the stagnation regions. This phenomenon indicates that water residence time can influence algal growth significantly. A longer water residence time was associated with higher algal growth. Two conclusions were drawn from several simulations: reducing the nutrients inflow had little effect on algal blooms in Dianshan Lake; however,increasing the discharge into Dianshan Lake could change the flow field characteristic and narrow the range of stagnation regions,resulting in inhibition of algal aggregation and propagation and a subsequent reduction in areas of high concentration algae.     

The preparation of low electroendosmosis agarose and its physico-chemical property

Studies on Gelidium amansii agar fractionations were carried out in this paper. Gelidium amansii agar was fractionated on DEAE-Cellulose, and four fractions were obtained sequentially. The fractions were analyzed on physical and chemical properties, and IR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy applied for elucidating the chemical structure. Among the four fractions obtained, water fraction measured up to the standard of low EEO agarose. The sulfate content, ash content, electroendosmosis and gel strength (1%) of water fraction were 0.16%, 0.34%, 0.12 and 1 130g/cm2 respectively, similar to those of the Sigma products.