Editorial

3 pages, 193 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes

by Marco F. L. Lemos, Sara C. Novais, Susana F. J. Silva and Carina Félix

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6074; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11136074 - 30 Jun 2021

Viewed by 1237

Blue biotechnology plays a major role in converting marine biomass into societal value; therefore, it is a key pillar for many marine economy developmental frameworks and sustainability strategies, such as the Blue Growth Strategy, diverse Sea Basin Strategies (e [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)

Research

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15 pages, 1629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rhodotorula Strains Isolated from Seawater That Can Biotransform Raw Glycerol into Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Carotenoids for Animal Nutrition

by Natalie L. Pino-Maureira, Rodrigo R. González-Saldía, Alejandro Capdeville and Benjamín Srain

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2824; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11062824 - 22 Mar 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1847

Abstract

Due to the overexploitation of industrial fisheries, as the principal source of fish oil, as well as the increasing replacement of synthetic pigments for animal nutrition, we need to find sustainable sources for these essential nutrient productions. Marine Rhodotorula strains NCYC4007 and NCYC1146 [...] Read more.

Due to the overexploitation of industrial fisheries, as the principal source of fish oil, as well as the increasing replacement of synthetic pigments for animal nutrition, we need to find sustainable sources for these essential nutrient productions. Marine Rhodotorula strains NCYC4007 and NCYC1146 were used to determine the biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and carotenoids by biotransforming raw glycerol, a waste product of biodiesel. To evaluate the presence of inhibitory substances in raw glycerol, both strains were also grown in the presence of analytical grade glycerol and glucose as the main carbon source separately. With raw glycerol, NCYC4007 showed a significant correlation between DHA production and intracellular phosphorous concentrations. NCYC1146, a new Rhodotorula strain genetically described in this work, can produce canthaxanthin but only when glycerol is used as a main carbon source. Then, NCYC4007 could synthesize DHA as a phospholipid, and the production of canthaxanthin depends on the kind of carbon source used by NCYC1146. Finally, malate dehydrogenase activity and glucose production can be used as a proxy of the metabolisms in these marine Rhodotorula. This is the first evidence that marine Rhodotorula are capable of synthesizing DHA and canthaxanthin using an alternative and low-cost source of carbon to potentially scale their sustainable production for animal nutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)

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19 pages, 3345 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Pigment and Fatty Acid Production under Different Light Qualities in the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

by Bernardo Duarte, Eduardo Feijão, Johannes W. Goessling, Isabel Caçador and Ana Rita Matos

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2550; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11062550 - 12 Mar 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3373

Abstract

Diatoms are microscopic biorefineries producing value-added molecules, including unique pigments, triglycerides (TAGs) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), with potential implications in aquaculture feeding and the food or biofuel industries. These molecules are utilized in vivo for energy harvesting from sunlight to drive [...] Read more.

Diatoms are microscopic biorefineries producing value-added molecules, including unique pigments, triglycerides (TAGs) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), with potential implications in aquaculture feeding and the food or biofuel industries. These molecules are utilized in vivo for energy harvesting from sunlight to drive photosynthesis and as photosynthetic storage products, respectively. In the present paper, we evaluate the effect of narrow-band spectral illumination on carotenoid, LC-PUFAs and TAG contents in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Shorter wavelengths in the blue spectral range resulted in higher production of total fatty acids, namely saturated TAGs. Longer wavelengths in the red spectral range increased the cell’s content in Hexadecatrienoic acid (HTA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Red wavelengths induced higher production of photoprotective carotenoids, namely fucoxanthin. In combination, the results demonstrate how diatom value-added molecule production can be modulated by spectral light control during the growth. How diatoms could use such mechanisms to regulate efficient light absorption and cell buoyancy in the open ocean is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)

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16 pages, 1013 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Cosmeceutical Potential of Grateloupia turuturu: Using Low-Cost Extraction Methodologies to Obtain Added-Value Extracts

by Carina Félix, Rafael Félix, Ana M. Carmona, Adriana P. Januário, Pedro D.M. Dias, Tânia F.L. Vicente, Joana Silva, Celso Alves, Rui Pedrosa, Sara C. Novais and Marco F.L. Lemos

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1650; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11041650 - 12 Feb 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2405

Abstract

The invasive macroalga Grateloupia turuturu is known to contain a diversity of bioactive compounds with different potentialities. Among them are compounds with relevant bioactivities for cosmetics. Considering this, this study aimed to screen bioactivities with cosmeceutical potential, namely, antioxidant, UV absorbance, anti-enzymatic, antimicrobial, [...] Read more.

The invasive macroalga Grateloupia turuturu is known to contain a diversity of bioactive compounds with different potentialities. Among them are compounds with relevant bioactivities for cosmetics. Considering this, this study aimed to screen bioactivities with cosmeceutical potential, namely, antioxidant, UV absorbance, anti-enzymatic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as photoprotection potential. Extractions with higher concentrations of ethanol resulted in extracts with higher antioxidant activities, while for the anti-enzymatic activity, high inhibition percentages were obtained for elastase and hyaluronidase with almost all extracts. Regarding the antimicrobial activity, all extracts showed to be active against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. Extracts produced with higher percentages of ethanol were more effective against E. coli and with lower percentages against the other two microorganisms. Several concentrations of each extract were found to be safe for fibroblasts, but no photoprotection capacity was observed. However, one of the aqueous extracts was responsible for reducing around 40% of the nitric oxide production on macrophages, showing its anti-inflammatory potential. This work highlights G. turuturu’s potential in the cosmeceutical field, contributing to the further development of natural formulations for skin protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)

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16 pages, 5804 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Singleton Giant Phage Yong-XC31 Lytic to the Pyropia Pathogen Vibrio mediterranei

by Lihua Xu, Dengfeng Li, Yigang Tong, Jing Fang, Rui Yang, Weinan Qin, Wei Lin, Lingtin Pan and Wencai Liu

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1602; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11041602 - 10 Feb 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1992

Abstract

Vibrio mediterranei 117-T6 is extensively pathogenic to several Pyropia species, leading to the death of conchocelis. In this study, the first V. mediterranei phage (named Vibrio phage Yong-XC31, abbreviated as Yong-XC31) was isolated. Yong-XC31 is a giant phage containing an icosahedral head about [...] Read more.

Vibrio mediterranei 117-T6 is extensively pathogenic to several Pyropia species, leading to the death of conchocelis. In this study, the first V. mediterranei phage (named Vibrio phage Yong-XC31, abbreviated as Yong-XC31) was isolated. Yong-XC31 is a giant phage containing an icosahedral head about 113 nm in diameter and a contractible tail about 219 nm in length. The latent period of Yong-XC31 is 30 min, and burst size is 64,227. Adsorption rate of Yong-XC31 to V. mediterranei 117-T6 can reach 93.8% in 2 min. The phage genome consisted of a linear, double-stranded 290,532 bp DNA molecule with a G + C content of 45.87%. Bioinformatic analyses predicted 318 open reading frames (ORFs), 80 of which had no similarity to protein sequences in current (26 January 2021) public databases. Yong-XC31 shared the highest pair-wise average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of 58.65% (below the ≥95% boundary to define a species) and the highest nucleotide sequence similarity of 11.71% (below the >50% boundary to define a genus) with the closest related phage. In the proteomic tree based on genome-wide sequence similarities, Yong-XC31 and three unclassified giant phages clustered in a monophyletic clade independently between the family Drexlerviridae and Herelleviridae. Results demonstrated Yong-XC31 as a new evolutionary lineage of phage. We propose a new phage family in Caudovirales order. This study provides new insights and fundamental data for the study and application of giant phages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)

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12 pages, 2676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Calliblepharis jubata Cultivation Potential—A Comparative Study between Controlled and Semi-Controlled Aquaculture

by Glacio Souza Araujo, João Cotas, Tiago Morais, Adriana Leandro, Sara García-Poza, Ana M. M. Gonçalves and Leonel Pereira

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(21), 7553; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10217553 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2991

Abstract

Calliblepharis jubata is an edible red seaweed and a carrageenan primary producer, considered native in Figueira da Foz (Portugal). C. jubata has the particularity of producing only one kind of carrageenan, the iota fraction. However, this seaweed is not yet valuable for the [...] Read more.

Calliblepharis jubata is an edible red seaweed and a carrageenan primary producer, considered native in Figueira da Foz (Portugal). C. jubata has the particularity of producing only one kind of carrageenan, the iota fraction. However, this seaweed is not yet valuable for the food industry or even for human consumption. In this work, we characterize important biochemical compounds of C. jubata growing up within different cultivation techniques and wild specimens. The aim of this work is to know if there are differences between the biological compounds of interest and identify the advantages for human consumption and the food industry. The results supported the nutritional value of the seaweed, where the ones from inshore cultivation (T) were more identical to the wild specimens (F), than the indoor C. jubata (A, B, C). The parameters analyzed were fatty acids, carbohydrates and carrageenan content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)

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19 pages, 5634 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Industry-Friendly Hydroethanolic Extraction Protocols for Grateloupia turuturu UV-Shielding and Antioxidant Compounds

by Rafael Félix, Ana M. Carmona, Carina Félix, Sara C. Novais and Marco F. L. Lemos

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(15), 5304; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10155304 - 31 Jul 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2566

Abstract

Grateloupia turuturu is an invasive macroalga on the Iberian coast, known to produce bioactive compounds with different cosmeceutical bioactivities, namely UV shielding and antioxidants. The goal of this study was to optimize the extraction procedure of main bioactivities of this species with cosmetic [...] Read more.

Grateloupia turuturu is an invasive macroalga on the Iberian coast, known to produce bioactive compounds with different cosmeceutical bioactivities, namely UV shielding and antioxidants. The goal of this study was to optimize the extraction procedure of main bioactivities of this species with cosmetic potential, using Response Surface Methodology. Two Box–Behnken designs were used to evaluate the effect of ethanol concentration (0–50%), liquid-solid ratio, time, pH, and temperature on yield, UV absorbance, and antioxidant activity. Both optimizations showed a similar trend: aqueous extracts have higher yields and extracts performed with ethanol as part of the solvent have higher activities concerning UV absorbance and antioxidant activity. For all the extracts an absorption peak between 320 and 340 nm was observed. This data now allows further studies by narrowing the extracts worthful of characterization. The development of industry-friendly extraction methods allows the valorization of this invasive species, contributing for the potential creation of natural and eco-friendly products by the cosmetic industry while contributing to the restoration of affected environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)

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17 pages, 1672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Box-Behnken Design and Desirability Function for Green Prospection of Bioactive Compounds from Isochrysis galbana

by Mari Carmen Ruiz-Domínguez, Pedro Cerezal, Francisca Salinas, Elena Medina and Gabriel Renato-Castro

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(8), 2789; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10082789 - 17 Apr 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2489

Abstract

A microalga, Isochrysis galbana, was chosen in this study for its potent natural antioxidant composition. A broad bioactive compounds spectrum such as carotenoids, fatty acid polyunsaturated (PUFA), and antioxidant activity are described with numerous functional properties. However, most of the optimization of [...] Read more.

A microalga, Isochrysis galbana, was chosen in this study for its potent natural antioxidant composition. A broad bioactive compounds spectrum such as carotenoids, fatty acid polyunsaturated (PUFA), and antioxidant activity are described with numerous functional properties. However, most of the optimization of extraction use toxic solvents or consume a lot of it becoming an environmental concern. In this research, a Box-Behnken design with desirability function was used to prospect the bioactive composition by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) after performing the kinetics curve to obtain the optimal extraction time minimizing operational costs in the process. The parameters studied were: pressure (20–40 MPa), temperature (40–60 °C), and co-solvent (0–8% ethanol) with a CO₂ flow rate of 7.2 g/min for 120 min. The response variables evaluated in I. galbana were extraction yield, carotenoids content and recovery, total phenols, antioxidant activity (TEAC method, trolox equivalents antioxidant capacity method), and fatty acid profile and content. In general, improvement in all variables was observed using an increase in ethanol concentration used as a co-solvent (8% v/v ethanol) high pressure (40 MPa), and moderately high temperature (50 °C). The fatty acids profile was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) primarily linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic acid (C18:3). Therefore, I. galbana extracts obtained by supercritical fluid extraction showed relevant functional ingredients for use in food and nutraceutical industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)

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Review

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18 pages, 970 KiB

Open AccessReview

Marine Microalgae for Potential Lutein Production

by Sushanta Kumar Saha, Hande Ermis and Patrick Murray

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(18), 6457; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10186457 - 16 Sep 2020

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 5635

Abstract

Lutein is particularly known to help maintain normal visual function by absorbing and attenuating the blue light that strikes the retina in our eyes. The effect of overexposure to blue light on our eyes due to the excessive use of electronic devices is [...] Read more.

Lutein is particularly known to help maintain normal visual function by absorbing and attenuating the blue light that strikes the retina in our eyes. The effect of overexposure to blue light on our eyes due to the excessive use of electronic devices is becoming an issue of modern society due to insufficient dietary lutein consumption through our normal diet. There has, therefore, been an increasing demand for lutein-containing dietary supplements and also in the food industry for lutein supplementation in bakery products, infant formulas, dairy products, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and juice concentrates. Although synthetic carotenoid dominates the market, there is a need for environmentally sustainable carotenoids including lutein production pathways to match increasing consumer demand for natural alternatives. Currently, marigold flowers are the predominant natural source of lutein. Microalgae can be a competitive sustainable alternative, which have higher growth rates and do not require arable land and/or a growth season. Currently, there is no commercial production of lutein from microalgae, even though astaxanthin and β-carotene are commercially produced from specific microalgal strains. This review discusses the potential microalgae strains for commercial lutein production, appropriate cultivation strategies, and the challenges associated with realising a commercial market share. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)

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