Formation and early development of tetraspores of Polysiphonia urceolata （Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta）

Polysiphonia urceolata is one type of potential commercial red seaweeds used for breeding and cultivation, because of its significant biochemical and biomedical application. However, the information of breeding and seedling incubation for cultivation is limited, especially the early development. In this study, tetrasporohyte and gametophyte of P. urceolata were taken as the study materials in Huiquan Bay, Qingdao, China. The cleaned and sterilized tetrasporophytes and gametophytes were pre-cultured in sterilized seawater, then nurtured at 18°C, 25 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ in 12:12 h (light:dark) photoperiod. Continuous observation under microscope showed that the early development consists of bipolar division stage and seedling stage. In the division stage, tetraspores germinate into bipolar sporelings that further differentiate into a colorless rhizoidal portion and a lightly pigmented upright shoot. The lightly pigmented rhizoidal cell develops to a rhizoid and the larger pigmented cell transforms to an erect axis. In the seedling stage, several quasi-protuberances appear on the erect axis and form juvenile seedlings. The results demonstrate the culture of P. urceolata from tetraspores under laboratory conditions. Supported by National Key Technology Support Program, Development Program of China (No.2006AA09Z21), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40618001 and N_CUHK438/06) and Shandong Agricultural Seed Stock Breeding Project     

Induction and cultivation of cloned filaments of Polysiphonia urceolata (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)

A filamentous clone of Polysiphonia urceolata was regenerated from segments cut from the fronds of gametophytes. Unlike wild thalli with short virgate branchlets, the clone was filamentous with few branches. Many transparent trichoblasts arose from pericentral cells during the induction culture, but these were seldom observed during normal growth. The trichoblasts were uniseriate, often colorless, and formed lobed rhizoids rapidly when they came into contact with solid substrates. In addition to morphological characteristics, the photosynthetic properties and growth conditions of the clone differed from those of the mother plant. Cross-gradient light and temperature culture experiments revealed that the most favorable conditions for culture of the filamentous clone were 22°C and 95-120 μE/(m2-s) light intensity. The photosynthetic light saturation value for filaments was approx. 100 μE/(m2-s), which is far lower than that of wild thalli. These results could be used to develop techniques for mass cultures of P. urceolata in photobioreactors for production of seed stock or bioactive products.     

Study on application of polyenzyme method to offal of Harengula zunasi

The new polyenzyme method for making gravy fromHarengula zunasi offal involves protein enzymolysis with flavorase after proper alkaline and neutral protease levels were established by orthogonal trials to select the best hydrolytic conditions for processing offal with alkaline and neutral protease. The conditions for the polyenzyme method were pH of 7.0, temperature of 50°C, alkaline and neutral protease concentration of 1.5% respectively, hydrolysis time of 120 min, and flavorase concentration of 2.0%, for 60 min. The new gravy-making technology yields a nutritious and delicious gravy containing 40.3% of total essential amino acids, with delicious amino acids Glu, Asp, Gly, Ala, Pro and Ser comprising 49.5%, total and amino nitrogen being respectively 1.9 and 1.1 g/100 g (amino acid nitrogen being 61.0% of total nitrogen), The polyenzyme method was used to make 14.8% protein gravy fromHarengula zunasi offal. In addition, inorganic elements, the phosphorus content is the highest. This project was aided financially by the Guangdong Science and Technology Office (No. 2KM06002S).     

Cloning and analysis of phycoerythrin genes inGracilaria Lemaneiformis (Rhodophyceae)

Cloning and sequencing of the genes coding for the α- and β- subunit of phycoerythrin (PE) of a red alga—Gracilaria lemaneiformis (GL) are reported. Alignment of 1084 nucleotides sequenced with three known red algal PE genes,Rhodella violacea (RV),Polysiphonia boldii (PB) andAglaothamnion neglectum (AN), showed high level of conservation, and similarities of 77,6% (between GL and RV), 77.9% (GL and AN) and 79.0% (GL and PB). The similarities of amino acids were 84.8% (between GL and RV), 85.7% (GL and PB), and 80.6% (AN and GL), higher than those among nucleotides. Project 39670405 supported by NSFC and Japanese Science Promotion Society (JSPS).     

Main nutritional contents of 30 Dalian coastal microalgae species

This paper reports results of study on the contents of proteins, amino acids, polysaccharose and uronic acids in 30 species of macroalgae from Shicao, Heishijiao, Shimiao, and Xiaofujiazhuang in the vicinity of Dalian City, N.E.China. The results showed that the protein contents of the 30 algae from highest (112.55μg/ml) to the lowest (0.24 p.g/ml) was in the descending order of Dictyopteris ndalata, Gelidium vagum,Gymnogongrus japonican, Ectocarpus confervoides, Tinocladia crassa, Sargassum thunberii. In general, the protein content in red algae was higher than that in brown algae. The content of free ami no acids showed nosignificent differences from 7.44μg/ml-4.96μg/ml in all these algae, in the descending order of Gymnogongrusrus japonican, Sargassum confusum, Undoria pinnatifida, Laminaria japonica and Ectocarpus confervoides. The content of polysaccharose varied from 168.2 gg/ml-22.15 p.g/ml in the descending order of Symphyocladiaia tiuscula, Scytosiphon lomentarius, Desmarestia viridis., Tinocladia crassa, Gracilaria asiatica and Porphyra yezoensis. The content of uronic acids is from 196.24μg/ml-20.77μg/ml in the descending order of Ulva lactuca,Symphyoclaldia latiuscula, Scytosiphon lomentarius, Ceramimum kondoi, Gracilaria vemucosa and Porphyra yezoensis. The fatty acids in 30 species of algae belong to Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta. Most phaeophytes have many (4-12) types of fatty acids.     

Properties of polysaccharides in several seaweeds from Atlantic Canada and their potential anti-influenza viral activities

To explore the polysaccharides from selected seaweeds of Atlantic Canada and to evaluate their potential anti-influenza virus activities, polysaccharides were isolated from several Atlantic Canadian seaweeds, including three red algae (Polysiphonia lanosa, Furcellaria lumbricalis, and Palmaria palmata), two brown algae (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus), and one green alga (Ulva lactuca) by sequential extraction with cold water, hot water, and alkali solutions. These polysaccharides were ana-lyzed for monosaccharide composition and other general chemical properties, and they were evaluated for anti-influenza virus activities. Total sugar contents in these polysaccharides ranged from 15.4% (in U. lactuca) to 91.4% (in F. lumbricalis); sulfation level was as high as 17.6% in a polysaccharide from U. lactuca, whereas it could not be detected in an alikali-extract from P. palmaria. For polysaccharides from red seaweeds, the main sugar units were sulfated galactans (agar or carrageenan) for P. lanosa, F. lumbricalis, and xylans for P. palmata. In brown seaweeds, the polysaccharides largely contained sulfated fucans, whereas the polysaccharides in green seaweed were mainly composed of heteroglycuronans. Screening for antiviral activity against influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus revealed that brown algal polysaccharides were particularly effective. Seaweeds from Atlantic Canada are a good source of marine polysaccharides with potential antiviral properties.     

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.     

Competition Among Dinoflagellate Alexandrium Tam—arense, Raphidophyte Heterosigma Carterae and Diatom Skeletonema Costatum under Combinations ofTwo Temperatures and Five Salinities

Competition among HAB (Harmful Algal Bloom) species Dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense, Raphidophyte Heterosigma carterae, and Diatom Skeletonema costatum was studied in the laboratory. Experiments with these three major HAB species under combinations of different salinities (10, 18, 25, 30, 35) and temperatures (19℃, 25℃) were carried out. The results showed that S. costatum successfully competed with the other two species at salinities of 18, 25,30, and 35 at temperatures of 19℃ and 25℃. However, H. carterae showed its advantage at low salinity of 10 and became the single dominant species at salinity 10 and 25℃. A. tamarense could not compete successfully with the other two species especially at low salinities. However, it could remain at low density in the presence of higher densities of other algae.     

长松藻基本营养成分分析及其多糖的提取

对南海长松藻(Codium cylindricum Holmes)的主要营养成分进行了分析,结果显示:多糖、蛋白质和粗纤维是构成藻体的主要营养成分,占藻体干基的80%左右,其中多糖占55.57%、粗纤维占11.09%、蛋白质占12.57%,但脂肪含量仅为0.59%。水溶性营养成分较为丰富,水浸出物总量为34.55%,其中包括水溶性蛋白、水溶性多糖、游离氨基酸等。多糖是长松藻的主要有效成分。单因素及正交实验结果表明:长松藻多糖提取的最佳工艺参数为浸提温度95℃,浸提时间1.5 h,料水质量比1∶50,多糖得率为9.79%。     

Biochemical Composition and Nutritional Value of Different Shell Color Strains of Pacific Oyster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis>

The shell color of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is a desirable trait; but the nutritional studies on C. gigas with different shell colors have not been conducted. Through successive selective breeding, five shell color strains of black (B), purple (P), orange (O), golden (G) and white (W) C. gigas have been developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and nutritional value of five shell color strains and one commercial population with a common color. The biochemical composition including moisture, total protein, glycogen, ash, total fat, fatty acids (FA), amino acids and minerals was detected. The results indicated that the protein (50.76%–56.57%) was the major component. The content of glycogen showed a significant difference between orange shell and golden shell strains, as well as between commercial population and golden shell strain. In addition, all shell color strains contained a large amount of essential amino acids (12.20–14.15 g (100 g)^?1), of them leucine (2.81–3.29 g (100 g)^?1) and lysine (2.79–3.28 g (100 g)^?1) were predominant. The oysters were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (42.26%–45.24% of total fatty acid) with high levels of DHA (18.53%–21.16% of total fatty acid) and EPA (17.23%–18.68% of total fatty acid). Significant differences of mineral contents (Mg, Zn, Fe and Cu) were identified among the six populations. These results indicated that C. gigas with different shell colors presented rich nutritional value with high protein, glycogen, essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The biochemical composition obtained in this study is useful for selective breeding of C. gigas with different shell colors.     

湛江海域6种常见经济海藻的营养成分分析

分析采自湛江海域的粗枝软骨藻Chondria crassicaulis、日本沙菜Hypnea japonica、鱼栖菜Acanthophora sp、芋根江蓠Gracilaria blodgettii、平卧松藻Codium repens、网地藻Dictyota dichotoma等6种经济海藻的营养成分。结果表明:碳水化合物是这些海藻的主要营养成分,占藻体干重的42.81%～66.11%,平均为55.93%;粗蛋白含量6.63%～11.13%;粗脂肪含量最低,除网地藻D.dichotoma(2.85%)外,其余5种皆不足藻体干重的1%;粗纤维和灰分含量在种间差别较大;矿物质含量丰富,其中磷、铁和锌分别在平卧松藻C.repens、网地藻D.dichotoma和鱼栖菜Acanthophora中占藻体干重的0.093%、0.13%和0.0055%;氨基酸含量较高,其中Thr、Val、Ile、Leu、Phe几种必需氨基酸的含量均高于FAO标准;不少种类中汞、镉、铅、砷等含量超出我国食品卫生标准。海藻体内的营养成分含量因海藻种类和生长海域的不同而有差异。     

Optimization of dilute acid hydrolysis of Enteromorpha

Acid hydrolysis is a simple and direct way to hydrolyze polysaccharides in biomass into fermentable sugars. To produce fermentable sugars effectively and economically for fuel ethanol, we have investigated the hydrolysis of Enteromorpha using acids that are typically used to hydrolyze biomass:H2SO4, HCl, H3PO4 and C4H4O4 (maleic acid). 5%(w/w) Enteromorpha biomass was treated for different times (30, 60, and 90 min) and with different acid concentrations (0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, and 2.2%, w/w) at 121°C. H2SO4 was the most effective acid in this experiment. We then analyzed the hydrolysis process in H2SO4 in detail using high performance liquid chromatography. At a sulfuric acid concentration of 1.8% and treatment time of 60 min, the yield of ethanol fermentable sugars (glucose and xylose) was high, (230.5 mg/g dry biomass, comprising 175.2 mg/g glucose and 55.3 mg/g xylose), with 48.6% of total reducing sugars being ethanol fermentable. Therefore, Enteromorpha could be a good candidate for production of fuel ethanol. In future work, the effects of temperature and biomass concentration on hydrolysis, and also the fermentation of the hydrolysates to ethanol fuel should be focused on.     

Amino acid composition and functional properties of giant red sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) collagen hydrolysates

Giant red sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) is an under-utilized species due to its high tendency to autolysis.The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional properties of collagen hydrolysates from this species.The degree of hydrolysis (DH),amino acid composition,SDS-PAGE,emulsion activity index (EAI),emulsion stability index (ESI),foam expansion (FE),and foam stability (FS) of hydrolysates were investigated.The effects of pH on the EAI,ESI FE and FS of hydrolysates were also inves-tigated.The results indicated that the β and α1 chains of the collagen were effectively hydrolyzed by trypsin at 50℃ with an En-zyme/Substrate (E/S) ration of 1:20 (w:w).The DH of collagen was up to 17.3% after 3 h hydrolysis with trypsin.The hydrolysates had a molecular weight distribution of 1.1 17 kDa,and were abundant in glycine (Gly),proline (Pro),glutamic acid (Glu),alanine (Ala) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) residues.The hydrolysates were fractionated into three fractions (< 3 kDa,3 10 kDa,and > 10 kDa),and the fraction of 3 10 kDa exhibited a higher EAI value than the fraction of > 10 kDa (P<0.05).The fraction of > 10 kDa had higher FE and FS values than other fractions (P<0.05).The pH had an important effect on the EAI,ESI,FE and FS.All the fractions showed undesirable emulsion and forming properties at pH 4.0.Under pH 7.0 and pH 10.0,the 3 10 kDa fraction showed higher EAI value and the fraction of > 10 kDa showed higher FE value,respectively.They are hoped to be utilized as functional ingredients in food and nutraceutical industries.     

Tissue culture of three species of Laurencia complex

To establish a micropropagation system of three Laurencia complex species (Laurencia okamurai, Laurencia tristicha, and Chondrophycus undulatus) by tissue culture techniques, we studied the regeneration characteristics and optimal culture conditions of axenic algal fragments cultured on solid medium and in liquid medium. Regeneration structures were observed and counted regularly under a reverse microscope to investigate the regeneration process, polarity and optimal illumination, and temperature and salinity levels. The results show that in most cultures of the three species, we obtained bud regeneration on solidified medium with 0.5% agar and in liquid medium. Rhizoid-like regeneration was filamentous and developed from the lower cut surface of fragments in L. okamurai, but was discoid and developed from the apical back side of bud regeneration in L. tristicha and C. undulatus. Regeneration polarity was localized to the apical part of algal fronds in all three species, and on fragments cut from the basal part of algae buds could develop from both the upper and the lower cut surfaces. Buds could develop from both the medullary and the cortical portions in L. okamurai and C. undulatus, while in L. tristicha, buds only emerged from the cortex. The optimal culture conditions for L. okamurai were 4 500 lx, 20°C and 35 (salinity); for C. undulatus, 4 500 lx, 20°C and 30; and for L. tristicha, 4 500 lx, 25°C and 30.     

Cryopreservation of Gametophytes of Laminaria japonica （Phaeophyta） Using Encapsulation-Dehydration with Two-Step Cooling Method

Gametophytes of Laminaria japonica were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen using encapsulation-dehydration with two-step cooling method. Gametophytes cultured at 10℃ and under continuous irradiance of 30 μmol m-2 s-1 for 3 weeks were encapsulated in calcium alginate beads. The beads were dehydrated in 0.4 molL-1 sucrose prepared with seawater for 6 h, desiccated in an incubator set at 10℃ and 70% relative humidity for 4 h, pre-frozen at either -40℃ or -60℃ for 30 min, and stored in liquid nitrogen for ＞24 h. As high as 43% of survival rate was observed when gametophytes were thawed by placing the beads in 40℃seawater and re-hydrated in 0.05 molL-1 citrate sodium prepared using 30‰ NaC1 7 d later. More cells of male gametophytes survived the whole procedure in comparison with female gametophytes. The cells of gametophytes surviving the preservation were able to grow asexually and produce morphologically normal sporophytes.     

Isolation and characterization of an enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase gene from microalga Isochrysis galbana

In most bacteria,plants and algae,fatty acid biosynthesis is catalyzed by a group of freely dissociable proteins known as the type II fatty acid synthase(FAS II) system.In the FAS II system,enoylacyl carrier protein reductase(ENR) acts as a determinant for completing the cycles of fatty acid elongation.In this study,the cDNA sequence of ENR,designated as IgENR,was isolated from the microalga Isochrysis galbana CCMM5001.RACE(rapid amplification of cDNA ends) was used to isolate the full-length cDNA of IgENR(1 503 bp),which contains an open reading frame(ORF) of 1 044 bp and encodes a protein of 347 amino acids.The genomic DNA sequence of IgENR is interrupted by four introns.The putative amino acid sequence is homologous to the ENRs of seed plants and algae,and they contain common coenzymebinding sites and active site motifs.Under different stress conditions,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) showed the expression of IgENR was upregulated by high temperature(35℃),and downregulated by depleted nitrogen(0 mol/L).To clarify the mechanism of lipids accumulating lipids,other genes involved in lipids accumulation should be studied.     

Optimization of medium and cultivation conditions for enhanced exopolysaccharide yield by marine Cyanothece sp. 113

Cyanothece sp. 113 is a unicellular, aerobic, diazotrophic and photosynthetic marine cyanobacterium. The optimal medium for exopolysaccharide yield by the strain was 70.0 g/L of NaCl, and 0.9 g/L of MgSO4 based on the modified F/2 medium for cultivation of marine algae. The optimal cultivation condition for exopolysaccharide yield by this cyanobacterial strain was 29°C, aeration, and continuous illumination at 86.0 μE/M2/S. Under the optimal conditions, over 18.4 g/L of exopolysaccharide was produced within 12 days. This was so far the highest exopolysaccharide yield produced with strains of Cyanothece sp. obtained.     

Cloning and phylogenetic analysis of a fatty acid elongase gene from Nannochloropsis oculata CS179

Nannochloropsis oculata CS179, a unicellular marine microalga, is rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs). Elongase and desaturase play a key role in the biosynthesis of PUFAs. A new elongase gene, which encodes 322 amino acids, was identified via RT-PCR and 5′ and 3′ RACE. The sequence of the elongase gene was blast-searched in the NCBI GenBank and showed a similarity to those of the cryptosporidium. But the NJ-tree revealed that the N. oculata CS179 elongase clustered with those of the microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Ostreococcus tauri and Thalassiosira pseudonana.     

Effects of polypeptide from<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamys farreri</Emphasis> on amino acid content in guinea pig skin irradiated by chronic ultraviolet A and B

We examined the effects of polypeptide fromChlamys farreri (PCF) on the amount of hydroxyproline in guinea pig skin irradiated by chronic ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. PCF was applied locally before repeated exposure of guinea pig to UVA and UVB. The contents of hydroxyproline and other amino acids in guinea pig skin were determined by automatic amino acid analyzer. Our results showed that: (1) long-time UVA and UVB radiation can reduce dramatically the amounts of hydroxyproline, aspartic acid, threonine, glycine, phenylalanine and lysine in guinea pig skin in comparison with the control group (P<0.05); (2) Compared with model group, pre-treatment with 5% and 20% PCF prior to UVA and UVB radiation can inhibit the decline of amino acids content in guinea pig skin in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). As the decrease of hydroxyproline, glycine and lysine contents in the skin directly reflexes type I collagen degeneration, our results indicated that the chronic application of PCF can protect skin type I collagen against UV radiation, and thus protect skin from photoaging. Project No. 39970638 supported by the NSFC, and also supported by the Science and Technology Bureau of Qingdao (No: 2001-28-50).     

Characterization of proteases from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Planomicrobium</Emphasis> sp. L-2 isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Octopus variabilis</Emphasis> (Sasaki)

A crude protease produced from Planomicrobium sp. L-2 is described, and its effectiveness as an additive in liquid detergent evaluated. We isolate the protease-producing Planomicrobium sp. L-2 from the gastrointestinal tract of Octopus variabilis. At least three caseinolytic protease clear bands were observed in zymogram analysis. The crude alkaline protease was highly tolerant of a pH range from 7.0 to 9.0, and temperatures to 50°C after incubation for 1 h. Proteolytic enzymes were stable towards three surfactants (5% Tween 80, 1% Triton X-100 and 0.05% SDS) and an oxidizing agent (1% hydrogen peroxide), in addition to being highly stable and compatible with popular commercial laundry powered detergent brands available in China. Our study demonstrates the potential these proteases have for development into novel classes of detergent additive. This study also suggests that the gastrointestinal tract of Octopus variabilis may be a rich source of commercially valuable strains of enzyme.