Spectral analysis and Antibacterial activity of the bioactive principles of Sargassum tenerrimum J. Agardh collected from the Red sea, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia / Análise espectral e atividade antibacteriana dos princípios bioativos de Sargassum tenerrimum J. Agardh coletados no mar Vermelho, Jazan, Reino da Arábia Saudita

Seaweeds are a major marine resource that can be explored to develop novel pharmaceutical molecules. The present study showed the presence of unique bioactive components in the petroleum ether extract (PEE) and methanolic extract (ME) of Sargassum tenerrimum. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis suggested that the PEE of S. tenerrimum contained antibacterial biomolecules: hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, 17-pentatriacontene, dasycarpidan-1-methanol, and acetate (ester). However, the ME of S. tenerrimum exhibited better antibacterial effect than the PEE due to the presence of the bioactive compounds 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester, tetratetracontane, 1-docosene, 1,2-benzenediol, and benzoic acid. Thus, promising antibacterial molecules can be isolated from S. tenerrimum for better therapeutic use.

As algas marinhas são um importante recurso marinho que pode ser explorado para desenvolver novas moléculas farmacêuticas. O presente estudo mostrou a presença de componentes bioativos únicos no extrato etéreo de petróleo (PEE) e no extrato metanólico (ME) de Sargassum tenerrimum. A análise por cromatografia gasosa espectrometria de massa sugeriu que o PEE de S. tenerrimum continha biomoléculas antibacterianas: ácido hexadecanoico, éster metílico, 17-pentatriaconteno, dasycarpidan-1-metanol e acetato (éster). Entretanto, o ME de S. tenerrimum exibiu melhor efeito antibacteriano do que o PEE devido à presença dos compostos bioativos ácido 1,2-benzenodicarboxílico, éster diisooctil, tetratetracontano, 1-docosene, 1,2-benzoenodiol e ácido benzoico. Assim, moléculas antibacterianas promissoras podem ser isoladas de S. tenerrimum para melhor uso terapêutico.

Sargazo: la irrupción atípica de un ecosistema milenario / Sargassum: the atypical irruption of an ancient ecosystem

Resumen El sargazo es un ecosistema marino milenario que circula en el sentido de las manecillas del reloj en el Océano Atlántico. A partir de 2011, el alga flotante que lo compone ha comenzado a recalar en playas de 19 países del Caribe, con consecuencias ambientales, sanitarias y económicas que deben atenderse con urgencia.

Abstract Sargassum constitutes an ancient marine ecosystem that circulates clockwise on the Atlantic Ocean. Upon 2011, the pelagic seaweed which is the main component of sargassum started to reach beaches on 19 Caribbean countries, with environmental, health and economic impacts that need to be addressed urgently.

El sargazo a escena / Sargassum enters the scene

Resumen: Este trabajo es una breve reflexión que revisa la evolución del fenómeno biológico asociado con la aparición de grandes masas de algas pardas flotantes denominadas como sargazo, y explora las respuestas sociales, de percepción en los medios y en el sector turismo que derivan como impacto de estas arribazones. Todo el Caribe, y en particular la zona de Quintana Roo en México, han experimentado esta suerte de invasión vegetal como una plaga cuyas causas son poco claras, pero sus efectos en las playas han provocado un descrédito al paisaje y, por tanto, un desincentivo para los bañistas y visitantes de esas aguas cristalinas. El texto presenta argumentos de política pública y explica las causas asociadas con los impactos de las actividades humanas que han influido directa o indirectamente en que este fenómeno sea una novedad y posiblemente una presencia constante desde 2011.

Abstract: This work is written as a brief reflection that reviews the evolution of the biological phenomenon associated with the appearance of large masses of floating brown algae called sargassum, explores the social responses as well, perception in the media and in the tourism sector they derive as an impact of these upheavals. The entire Caribbean, and the area of Quintana Roo in Mexico, have experienced this kind of plant invasion, like a plague whose causes are unclear, but its effects on the beaches have caused a discredit to the landscape and therefore a discouragement to the bathers and visitors of those crystalline waters. The text presents public policy arguments and explains the causes associated with impacts of human activities that have directly or indirectly influenced this phenomenon to be a novelty and possibly a constant presence since 2011.

Antilithiatic Activity of phlorotannin rich extract of Sarghassum Wightii on Calcium Oxalate Urolithiais ­ In Vitro and In VivoEvaluation

Urolithiasis is a common urological disorder responsible for serious human affliction and cost to the society with a high recurrence rate. The aim of the present study was to systematically evaluate the phlorotannin rich extract of Sargassum wightii using suitable in vitro and in vivo models to provide scientific evidence for its antilithiatic activity.

Batch and fixed-bed column biosorption of manganese ion by sargassum filipendula

This paper presents experimental data of the biosorption of manganese onto Sargassum filipendula in both batch and fixed-bed column systems. Batch equilibrium data were used for nonlinear fittings of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. A mathematical model based on mass balances in the fluid and in the sorbent was applied to represent the experimental fixed-bed column data. The utilization of isotherm parameters from the batch experiments in the breakthrough model implied a significant mismatch in relation to the laboratory data. Alternatively, additional fixed-bed column data provided new parameters for the isotherm evaluation, and the corresponding simulated profile of the breakthrough curve reached better agreement to the experimental results.

The marine algae Sargassum spp. (Sargassaceae) as feed for sheep in tropical and subtropical regions

The objective of this study was to evaluate Sargassum meal as feed for sheep through the measures of in vivo digestibility, dry matter degradability, pH, ammonia and volatile fatty acids in rumen. The Sargassum algae used in this experiment were collected at the end of spring, when they are more abundant, bigger, and have completed their reproductive cycle. Four tons (wet weigth) were collected manually from the intertidal zone of La Paz bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico. These algae were sun-dried and ground in a hammer mill to obtain the Sargassum meal. Four fistulated Pelibuey sheep, were fed daily with diets containing the marine algae (MA) at different levels (0, 10, 20 and 30 %), using a 4 x 4 Latin-square design experiment. Feed intake was not affected (p>0.05). Water consumption and urine excretion increased with MA (p<0.05; r²=0.54 and r²=0.74, respectively). In all treatments dry matter digestibility was of 74%-79%, and crude protein digestibility was of 85%-88%. Acid detergent fiber (59%-65%) and neutral detergent fiber (55%-66%) digestibility were greater in all treatments with MA. Ruminal pH was greater in all groups fed with MA (p<0.05). Ammonium concentration was not influenced (p>0.05) by MA. Ruminal volatile fatty acids decreased in all MA groups (p<0.05). The marine algae Sargassum spp. can be used as a feed supplement for sheep, especially in tropical and subtropical regions where these marine algae are available. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (4): 1271-1281. Epub 2009 December 01.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la harina del alga marina Sargassum como alimento para ovejas, midiendo la digestibilidad in vivo, la degradabilidad de la materia seca, así como el pH y los ácidos grasos volátiles en rumen. El alga Sargassum utilizada en este experimento, fue recolectada a finales de la primavera, cuando esta alga es más abundante, alcanza su mayor talla y ha completado su ciclo reproductivo. Se recolectaron manualmente, cuatro toneladas (peso húmedo) de la zona intermareal en la Bahía de La Paz, Baja California Sur, México. Estas algas fueron secadas directamente al sol y molidas en un molino de martillos, para obtener la harina. Se utilizaron cuatro borregos Pelibuey fistulados, distribuidos en un arreglo factorial de 4 x 4. Los animales fueron alimentados diariamente con dietas que contenían el alga marina (AM) Sargassum a diferentes niveles (0, 10, 20 y 30%). El consumo de alimento no se vio afectado con la inclusión del alga (p> 0.05). El consumo de agua y la excreción de orina se incrementaron conforme aumentó la concentración de AM en las dietas (p<0.05; r²=0.54 and r²=0.74, respectivamente). En todos los tratamientos la digestibilidad de la materia seca fue de 74% a 79%, la digestibilidad de la proteína cruda fue de 85% a 88%. La digestibilidad de la fibra ácido detergente (59%-65%) y de la neutro detergente (55%-66%) fue mayor en todos los tratamientos con AM, lo mismo ocurrió con el pH en rumen (p<0.05). La concentración de amonio en rumen no se vio afectada por AM (p>0.05). La concentración de ácidos grasos volátiles se redujo en todos los tratamientos con AM (p<0.05). El alga marina Sargassum spp. puede ser usada como complemento alimenticio para ovejas, especialmente en las regiones tropicales y subtropicales donde está disponible.

Antioxidant activity of mojabanchromanol, a novel chromene, isolated from brown alga Sargassum siliquastrum.

Silica gel chromatography HPLC, El-Mass, and NMR analyses were performed in order to determine the structure obtained from the separation and refinement of the main components of an ethanol extraction of Sargassum siliquastrum, which indicated its antioxidant activity An ethanol extraction of Sargassum siliquastrum demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activities of ethyl acetate when isolated by silica gel chromatography This amounts to 84.9 +/- 1.2% of its 0.5 mg ml(-1) concentration. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) measurements from 3 isolations of an HPLC separation of ethyl acetate showed that the antioxidant activity of peak 2 was the most dominant at 84.08% in a 0.5 mg ml(-1) concentration. Peak 2 was verified as a type of chromene through El-Mass and NMR analysis. Its metal sealing characteristic was low while its characteristic of TBARS and DPPH erasure indicated similar or higher levels of metal sealing characteristic. The NMR spectroscopic data was used to elucidate the structure of this new compound, which showed strong antioxidant activity in the assay.

El alga marina Sargassum (Sargassaceae): una alternativa tropical para la alimentación de ganado caprino / The seaweed Sargassum (Sargassaceae) as tropical alternative for goats’ feeding

The nutritive value of seaweed (Sargassum spp.) was studied in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Twenty female Nubian goats (43-weeks old) were randomly distributed into two groups of 10 goats each and were housed in individual pens. One group was fed with a control diet and the other with a diet supplemented with 25% of Sargassum spp. Feed and water intake were recorded daily and individually for 60 days. The weight of each goat was recorded every 15 days. The nutritional content of Sargassum spp. was 89% dry mater, 8% crude protein, 31% ash, 2% ether extract, and 39% carbohydrates. Fiber fractions, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and antinutritional factors were also determined. There were no significant differences in body weight (8.6 kg control and 9 kg experimental), feed intake (1.3 kg control and 1.6 kg experimental), and feed conversion rate (11.1 control and 12.6 experimental). Water consumption was greater in the goats that ate the Sargassum diet (5.3 l). From these results,Sargassum spp.can be considered as an alternative feedstuff for goats.

Se estudió el valor nutricional de varias algas del género Sargassum. Veinte cabras hembras (Nubia) en crecimiento (43 semanas)se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en dos grupos de 10 cabras y se alojaron en corraletas individuales. Un grupo fue alimentado con una dieta testigo elaborada con insumos regionales y el otro con una dieta que incluyó el 25% de Sargassum spp. Durante 60 días se midieron diariamente y en forma individual, el alimento y agua consumidos, el peso corporal se cuantificó cada 15 días. La composición química proximal de Sargassum fue de: 89% materia seca, 7.7% proteína, 31% cenizas, 2% extracto etéreo y 39% de carbohidratos. También se determinaron las fracciones de fibra, minerales, vitaminas, ácidos grasos y factores antinutricios. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en el peso corporal (8.6 kg grupo control y 9 kg experimental), alimento consumido (1.31 kg grupo control y 1.6 experimental)y tasa de conversión alimenticia (11.1 grupo control y 12.6 experimental) entre los tratamientos. El consumo de agua fue mayor en el grupo alimentado con la dieta que incluyó Sargassum spp (5.1 l). De los resultados se deduce que las algas marinas de este género pueden ser utilizadas como un forraje alternativo de mediana calidad para el ganado caprino.

Bacterial dynamics associated with algal antibacterial substances during post harvest desiccation process of Sargassum stolonifolium Phang et Yoshida.

Brown algae of genus Sargassum are known to produce relatively higher amount of alginic acid. Optimal extraction of this algalcolloid for local consumption requires in-depth studies on post-harvest treatment of the algal fronds. Present investigation endeavors to establish the dynamics and inter-relationship of moisture content and bacteria found on the surface of the alga and alginic acid content during post-harvest desiccation of Sargassum stolonifolium Phang et Yoshida. Harvested fronds were subjected to desiccation for 31 days and bacterial dynamics were monitored with relation to moisture content and water activity index (a(w)). There was 85% decrease in moisture content, however, a(w) showed a more gradual decrease. Total bacterial count increased during the first week and attained maximal value on day 7. Thereafter, a drastic decrease was seen until day 14, followed by a gradual decline. Six species of bacteria were isolated and identified, i.e. Azomonas punctata, Azomonas sp., Escherichia coli, Micrococcus sp., Proteus vulgaris and Vibrio alginolyticus. Calculated ratios for increase in alginic acid content and decrease in moisture content were almost the same throughout the desiccation process, implying that extracellular alginase-producing bacteria did not use the alginic acid produced by the algae as its carbon source. It became apparent that drastic decrease in bacterial count after day 7 could not be attributed to salinity, moisture content, a(w) or lack of carbon source for the bacteria. The possible exposure of these bacteria to algal cell sap which is formed due to the rupture of algal cells was seen as the most likely reason for the drop in bacterial population. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph taken on day 10 of desiccation showed the presence of cracks and localities where bacteria were exposed to algal cell sap. In vitro antibacterial tests were carried out to verify the effect of algal extracts. Separation and purification of crude algal extracts via bioassay guided separation methodology revealed the identity of active compounds (i.e. gylcolipids and free fatty acids) involved in this inherently available antibacterial defense mechanism during algal desiccation.