Screening of the UV absorption capacity, proximal and chemical characterization of extracts, and polysaccharide fractions of the Gracilariopsis tenuifrons cultivated in Colombia

The sustainable use of marine resources is a competitive advantage of the most developed countries, which has a positiveimpact on the economic and social development of their populations. Currently, marine organisms such as macroalgaeare an important source of functional compounds such as polysaccharides, proteins, unsaturated and polyunsaturatedfatty acids, among others, with nutritional value and pharmacological properties. Gracilariopsis tenuifrons is amacroalga found in the Colombian Caribbean Sea, which has been neither chemically nor physicochemically studied;therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the polysaccharides composition and nutrients contents of crudeextract and its UV radiation absorption capacity. The purification was carried out by ultrafiltration using membranesof molecular size exclusion 100, 50, 10, and 3 kDa. The chemical characterization was done by gel electrophoresis,Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and the particle size and potential zeta byDynamic Light Scattering. The absorption coefficient (absorbance/g dry sample) was measured at 290, 310, 340, and380 nm. Sulfated and non-sulfated polysaccharides were detected in the fractions and identified as polysaccharidestype k, and β-carrageenan and alginate. The proximate analysis showed that the total content of protein, carbohydrates,fat, and calories is 15.58%, 69.81%, 0.15%, and 342.94% Kcal, respectively. The crude extracts showed an importantabsorption coefficient in UVB-UVA range. The findings suggest that G. tenuifrons seaweed propagated in vitro is aviable candidate of natural additives, such as phycocolloids and bioactive compounds, for designing new functionalproducts in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, in addition to its nutritional properties to be used in foods.

Protective effects of ethanolic extract from the red algae Amansia multifida on experimental inflammation, nociception and seizure experimental models / Efeito protetor do extrato etanólico da alga marinha vermelha Amansia multifida em modelos experimentais de inflamação, nocicepção e convulsão

This study aimed to investigate the EEAm effect in mice models of nociception, inflammation and in behavioral tests evaluating the central nervous system. EEAm had inhibitory effects in the following tests: acetic acid-induced writhing (78%); formalin (62% - inflammatory phase); open field (46%). EEAm increased the nociceptive latency (56%) in tail flick test and increased the death-latency by 36% in the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure model. Moreover, EEAm inhibited paw edema (82%) and peritonitis (45%) induced by carrageenan. In conclusion, EEAm presents antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant effects involving peripheral and central-acting mechanisms in mice.

Neste estudo objetivou-se investigar o efeito do EEAm em modelos de nocicepção e inflamação, e em testes comportamentais que avaliam o sistema nervoso central em camundongos. EEAm exibiu efeitos inibitórios nos testes comportamentais de contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético (78%); formalina (62% - fase inflamatória) e campo aberto (46%). EEAm aumentou a latência de nocicepção no teste de retirada da cauda (56%) e a latência de morte 36% no modelo de convulsões induzidas por pentilenetetrazol. Além disso, EEAm inibiu o edema de pata (82%) e a peritonite (45%) induzidos por carragenana. Como conclusão, EEAm apresenta efeitos antinociceptivo, anti-inflamatório e anticonvulsivante em camundongos por mecanismos periféricos e centrais.

Enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acid in a fermented red seaweed beverage by starter culture Lactobacillus plantarum DW12

Lactobacillus plantarum DW12, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) producing strain, was used as a starter culture to produce a functional fermented red seaweed beverage (FSB). Optimal conditions for producing FSB were established using Central Composite Design by varying the amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG), sucrose and the initial pH in MRS medium. After a verification test, 1 percent MSG, 6 percent sucrose and an initial pH of 6 were selected. Four treatments were tested: traditional formula (A), red seaweed-cane sugar-potable water = 3:1:10, w/w/v, initial pH 6; the traditional formula with a 5 percent starter culture consisting of 4.1 x 10(9) CFU of DW 12/ml (B); formula A modified by changing the amounts of cane sugar and MSG to 6 percent and 1 percent, respectively (C); formula C with a 5 percent starter culture added (D). Comparison among the 4 treatments showed that the treatment D produced the highest amount of GABA (4000 mg/L) during days 45-60 while the GABA content of A, B and C treatments was 340, 730 and 1690 mg/L, respectively. However, the results of the sensory test for the treatments C and D showed that the presence of MSG produced an unsatisfactory salty taste. All finished products from the 4 treatments met Thai standard guidelines for chemical and microbiological qualities after 120 days. The results indicated that enrichment of the GABA content in FSB is possible by adding MSG and the GABA producing strain DW12; however, the appropriate amount of MSG addition should be further studied.

Protective effect of the methanol extract of Polyopes lancifolia (Harvey) kawaguchi et wang against ionizing radiation-induced mouse gastrointestinal injury / 대한수의학회지

The radioprotective efficacy of a methanol extract of the red algae Polyopes lancifolia (Harvey) kawaguchi et wang (mPL) was evaluated in mice subjected to total-body gamma irradiation. mPL protection against radiation-induced oxidative stress was examined by histological evaluation of intestinal crypt-cell survival and liver activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). mPL (100 mg/kg body weight) administered intraperitoneally at 24 h and 1 h prior to irradiation protected jejunal crypt cells from radiation-induced apoptosis (p < 0.01). The pretreatment of mPL attenuated a radiation-induced decrease in villous height (p < 0.05), and improved jejunal crypt survival (p < 0.05). The dose reduction factor was 1.14 at 3.5 days after irradiation. Treatment with mPL prior to irradiation resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.01) levels of SOD and CAT activities, compared to those levels of irradiated control mice with vehicle treatment. These results suggest that mPL is a useful radioprotective agent capable of defending intestinal progenitor cells against total-body irradiation, at least in part through mPL antioxidative activity.