2nd International Conference on Chemistry and Science Education: Improving the Research Quality in Chemistry and Natural Science Education for the Upcoming Challenges to Face the 5th Industrial Revolution

The proceedings contain 48 papers. The topics discussed include: effect of additional crosslinker (tapioca flour) on the characteristics of bacterial cellulose-seaweed extract composites;performance composite bacteria cellulose-extract leaf Mimosa pudica with the amylum as crosslinker;identification of 16S rRNA gene sequences from thermophilic bacteria that showed activity of hydrolytic enzyme exo-type on inulin substrate;quercetin grafted inulin: synthesis and characterization;identification of bioactive compounds methanol extract of red algae Kappaphycus alvarezii and toxicity test on artemia salina leach larva;identification of components and toxicity assessment of seaweed methanol extract Laminaria Sp against larva Artemia salina;using Rbdpko as substitute of Cpko to produce oleochemical product D810, lauric acid, myristic acid and oleic acid through splitting and fractionation process;impact of single use plastic on the environment due to COVID-19 pandemic;and synthesis and characterization molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPS)-silica as absorption for uric acid in blood.

Seaweeds and Corals from the Brazilian Coast: Review on Biotechnological Potential and Environmental Aspects.

Brazil has a megadiversity that includes marine species that are distributed along 800 km of shoreline. This biodiversity status holds promising biotechnological potential. Marine organisms are important sources of novel chemical species, with applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical, and nutraceutical fields. However, ecological pressures derived from anthropogenic actions, including the bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements and microplastics, impact promising species. This review describes the current status of the biotechnological and environmental aspects of seaweeds and corals from the Brazilian coast, including publications from the last 5 years (from January 2018 to December 2022). The search was conducted in the main public databases (PubChem, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) and in the Espacenet database (European Patent Office-EPO) and the Brazilian National Property Institute (INPI). Bioprospecting studies were reported for seventy-one seaweed species and fifteen corals, but few targeted the isolation of compounds. The antioxidant potential was the most investigated biological activity. Despite being potential sources of macro- and microelements, there is a literature gap regarding the presence of potentially toxic elements and other emergent contaminants, such as microplastics, in seaweeds and corals from the Brazilian coast.

Livelihood Strategies of the Bajo Fishing Community in the Outbreak of COVID-19 (Study of Bajo People in Salabangka Island of Central, Sulawesi, Indonesia)

This study aims to find out how Sama Bajo fishermen adapt to the seasonal moonson and environmental changes in the midst of the Corona Virus Desease (Covid-19) outbreak. The research conducted in one of the villages in the Salabangka Archipelago, precisely on Paku Island which is one of the largest islands in the Salabangka archipelago of Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The study utilyzed the principle of a livelihood approaches. The adaptation strategies observed include;livelihood diversification, business intensification, utilization of social networks, asset sales and mortgages. The results showed that some of Sama Bajo fishermen carried out adaptation strategies, several livelihood adaptation strategies that were previously quite effective in overcoming the decline in income due to seasonal changes, currently could not be fully relied to tackle stress and shock. The development of several multinational mining investment activities on land has also resulted in pollution that affects the loss of seaweed cultivation which was previously become the mainstay of fishermen in times of famine. This situation has caused some Sama Bajo fishermen, especially the younger generation who have studied up to university to consider trying new livelihoods on land that were previously rarely done by Bajo fishermen. © 2023 WITPress. All rights reserved.

Antiviral compounds from seaweeds: An overview

The interest in macroalgae has been growing worldwide in the recent years, due to the new discoveries regarding the numerous health benefits they provide to consumers, namely anti-viral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that enhance resistance and ability to combat disease to consumers, granted by algae's bioactive molecules. In the light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is a renewed need to find cures, treatments or novel means to create immunity in the population against not only to the recently emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) but also to other viruses, in order to allow world populations to safely recover daily life routines. The aim of this chapter is to report the research and developments of possible treatments against virus, based on seaweed's bioactive compounds, from the first stage of development up to commercial products. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022. All rights reserved.

Potential of Fucoidan From Myriogloea Major Asensi as Antiviral Against Herpes Simplex Type 1 and 2 and Bovine Coronavirus (preprint)

Fucoidans are fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharides that display a wide array of biological properties and are found mainly in brown seaweeds. These compounds possess interesting pharmacological perspectives for antiviral and antioxidant drug development. Myriogloea major Asensi (Chordariaceae; Ectocarpales) is an endemic brown seaweed from Argentine Patagonia similar to other members of the Chordariaceae family used as a commercial fucoidan source. This alga is a potential resource and the fucoidans obtained from it have not been studied until now. In this work, we studied the chemical composition and the anti- HSV-1, HSV-2 and Bovine Coronavirus, and antioxidant activity of fucoidan extracts from M. major thalli. The dry weights from two pooled extracts represented 42% of the extracted dried biomass. Chemical analysis showed that the extracts contained between 15 and 20% of sulfates and approximately 80% of fucose constituents on their polysaccharides. The total phenolic content was lower than 1% (Gallic acid equivalents) and antioxidant activity was lower than 50% at a concentration of 1 mg/ml in both extracts. We demonstrated that in the presence of fucoidan extracts the viral attachment to the cell was reduced by up to 75%; applying its antiviral action to block the viral infection, this way the progeny virus released from host cells was significantly restricted, without affecting cell-to-cell spread or virus viability.

A Bioactive Substance Derived from Brown Seaweeds: Phlorotannins.

Phlorotannins are a type of natural active substance extracted from brown algae, which belong to a type of important plant polyphenol. Phloroglucinol is the basic unit in its structure. Phlorotannins have a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumor, anti-hypertensive, hypoglycemic, whitening, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory, etc. Phlorotannins are mainly used in the fields of medicine, food and cosmetics. This paper reviews the research progress of extraction, separation technology and biological activity of phlorotannins, which will help the scientific community investigate the greater biological significance of phlorotannins.

Putting coastal communities at the center of a sustainable blue economy: A review of risks, opportunities, and strategies

New approaches to ocean governance for coastal communities are needed. With few exceptions, the status quo does not meet the diverse development aspirations of coastal communities or ensure healthy oceans for current and future generations. The blue economy is expected to grow to USD2.5–3 trillion by 2030, and there is particular interest in its potential to alleviate poverty in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, and to support a blue recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents a selective, thematic review of the blue economy literature to examine: (i) the opportunities and risks for coastal communities, (ii) the barriers and enablers that shape community engagement, and (iii) the strategies employed by communities and supporting organizations, which can be strengthened to deliver a ‘sustainable' blue economy and improve social justice for coastal communities. Our review finds that under business-as-usual and blue growth, industrial fisheries, large-scale aquaculture, land reclamation, mining, and oil and gas raise red flags for communities and marine ecosystems. Whereas, if managed sustainably, small-scale fisheries, coastal aquaculture, seaweed farming and eco-tourism are the most likely to deliver benefits to communities. Yet, these are also the sectors most vulnerable to negative and cumulative impacts from other sectors. Based on our evaluation of enablers, barriers and strategies, the paper argues that putting coastal communities at the center of a clear vision for an inclusive Sustainable Blue Economy and co-developing a shared and accessible language for communities, practitioners and policy-makers is essential for a more equitable ocean economy, alongside mainstreaming social justice principles and integrated governance that can bridge different scales of action and opportunity. Copyright © 2023 Evans, Buchan, Fortnam, Honig and Heaps.

Anti-coronaviral Activity of Plant and Seaweed Secondary Metabolites: A Review

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, continues to affect millions of people worldwide. Vaccines approved and authorized for use are effective against COVID-19, but viral variants of concern may emerge in the near future. The discovery of novel antiviral agents will help humanity overcome COVID-19 and aid in any future viral pandemics. Objective(s): This review aimed to evaluate evidence from the plant-and seaweed-derived secondary com-pound-based interventions for viral diseases caused by coronaviruses. Method(s): A comprehensive search of several databases, including Cochrane Library, Web of Science and PubMed was conducted to identify available studies evaluating the outcomes of plant-and seaweed secondary metabolites in viral diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and COVID-19. Result(s): The volume of existing reports is irrefutable evidence that some plant-and seaweed-derived secondary compounds (e.g., mannose-specific lectins, griffithsin, cyanovirin-N, gallate, curcumin, luteo-lin, quercetin and betulinic acid) possess a potential antiviral ability against coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion(s): Plant and seaweed secondary metabolites with antiviral activity show their activity in different metabolic pathways. Besides reducing and preventing the metabolic damage caused by proinflamma-tory cytokines and oxidative stress, several plants and seaweed secondary metabolites can also be effective in improving some clinical indexes specific to COVID-19. Despite their effectiveness in preclinical studies, plant and seaweed-derived secondary compounds need more pharmacokinetic studies and safety measures concerning their mitogenic and allergenic properties.Copyright © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.

Special issue. (Special issue.)

This special issue contains 17 papers covering a range of topics related to environmental, geological, and social issues in Bangladesh. The articles use various methodologies, including statistical analysis, satellite imaging, and case studies, to explore issues such as drought, urbanization, healthcare, greenhouse gas emissions, groundwater resources, COVID-19 stigmatization, oil rim reservoir development, coal permeability, seaweed composition, hailstorms, tropical cyclones, heavy metal contamination, flood hazard assessment, and climate change vulnerability. Overall, the articles provide valuable insights and information that can inform policy and decision-making in Bangladesh.

Women's groups and seaweed cultivation in Kenya during times of COVID-19

This article reports on a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) technical assistance project entitled "Support to the implementation of mariculture in Kenya within an ecosystem approach", which supported pilot seaweed culture sites, with a specific focus on best management practices for production, post-harvest management and value addition. The article highlights the benefits reaped by the Kibuyuni Seaweed Women, one of five seaweed groups supported by the project.

Carrageenan from Gigartina skottsbergii: A Novel Molecular Probe to Detect SARS-CoV-2.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented health and economic crisis, highlighting the importance of developing new molecular tools to monitor and detect SARS-CoV-2. Hence, this study proposed to employ the carrageenan extracted from Gigartina skottsbergii algae as a probe for SARS-CoV-2 virus binding capacity and potential use in molecular methods. G. skottsbergii specimens were collected in the Chilean subantarctic ecoregion, and the carrageenan was extracted -using a modified version of Webber's method-, characterized, and quantified. After 24 h of incubation with an inactivated viral suspension, the carrageenan's capacity to bind SARS-CoV-2 was tested. The probe-bound viral RNA was quantified using the reverse transcription and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) methods. Our findings showed that carrageenan extraction from seaweed has a similar spectrum to commercial carrageenan, achieving an excellent proportion of binding to SARS-CoV-2, with a yield of 8.3%. Viral RNA was also detected in the RT-LAMP assay. This study shows, for the first time, the binding capacity of carrageenan extracted from G. skottsbergii, which proved to be a low-cost and highly efficient method of binding to SARS-CoV-2 viral particles.

Immunomodulatory effect of sulfated galactofucan from marine macroalga Turbinaria conoides.

Sulfated polysaccharides are effective immunostimulating agents by activating several intracellular signaling pathways. A sulfated (1 â†’ 3)/(1 â†’ 4)-linked galactofucan TCP-3 with promising immunomodulatory effects was purified from a marine macroalga Turbinaria conoides. The immune-enhancing potential of TCP-3 (100-400 mg/kg BW) was evaluated on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed animals by increasing bone marrow cellularity (10-13 cells/femur/mL x 106), α-esterase activity (1200-1700 number of positive cells/4000 BMC), interferon-γ (1.31-1.49 pg/mL), interleukin-2 (3.49-3.99 pg/mL) secretion, and WBC count (> 3000 cells/cu mm). The proliferation of lymphocytes for in vitro and in vivo conditions was enhanced by administering TCP-3 besides regulating the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6/1ß/12, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-ß), and an inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase. A promising reduction of viral copy formation was observed by administering TCP-3 (< 2 × 107 number) on SARS CoV-2 (delta variant) induced Vero cells in comparison with the infected group (> 5 × 107 number).

Application of logistic regression, support vector machine and random forest on the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using macroalgae in treatment of certain risk factors associated with kidney injuries.

The use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in many biological and technical domains is on the rise. There hasn't been much research on the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in biological systems, despite their ubiquitous usage. In the current investigation, samples were exposed to various dosages of TiO2 nanoparticles for 4 days, 1 month, and 2 months following treatment. ICP-AES was used to dose TiO2 into the tissues, and the results showed that the kidney had a significant TiO2 buildup. On the other hand, apoptosis of renal tubular cells is one of the most frequent cellular processes contributing to kidney disease (KD). Nevertheless, the impact of macroalgal seaweed extract on KD remains undetermined. In this work, machine learning (ML) approaches have been applied to develop prediction algorithms for acute kidney injury (AKI) by use of titanium dioxide and macroalgae in hospitalized patients. Fifty patients with (AKI) and 50 patients (non-AKI group) have been admitted and considered. Regarding demographic data, and laboratory test data as input parameters, support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) are utilized to build models of AKI prediction and compared to the predictive performance of logistic regression (LR). Due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers, the current research ruled out the potential of using G. oblongata red macro algae as a source for a variety of products for medicinal uses. Despite a high and fast processing of algorithms, logistic regression showed lower overfitting in comparison to SVM, and Random Forest. The dataset is subjected to algorithms, and the categorization of potential risk variables yields the best results. AKI samples showed significant organ defects than non-AKI ones. Multivariate LR indicated that lymphocyte, and myoglobin (MB) ≥ 1000 ng/ml were independent risk parameters for AKI samples. Also, GCS score (95% CI 1.4-8.3 P = 0.014) were the risk parameters for 60-day mortality in samples with AKI. Also, 90-day mortality in AKI patients was significantly high (P < 0.0001). In compared to the control group, there were no appreciable changes in the kidney/body weight ratio or body weight increases. Total thiol levels in kidney homogenate significantly decreased, and histopathological analysis confirmed these biochemical alterations. According to the results, oral TiO2 NP treatment may cause kidney damage in experimental samples.

In Silico Analysis of The Potential of Sargassum sp Brewed and Syzygium polyanthum Leaf as Nutraceuticals

The Covid-19 pandemic is causing a major public health crisis. One of the efforts that can be done is with protection from within the body by having a strong immune system. The immunity can be increased by consuming high antioxidant compounds comes from Sargassum sp brown seaweed and Syzygium polyanthum leaf. This study aims to determine the bioactive potential of Sargassum sp brewed and Syzygium polyanthum leaf using in silico analysis. The method used was GC-MS analysis to obtain chemical profiles and in silico analysis (prediction of activity spectra for biologically active substances) PASS server, SwissADME, Pro Tox II). GC-MS analysis with screen quality above 85% obtained 6 (six) compounds from Sargassum sp brewed and Syzygium polyanthum (SBSP), namely Pentane (69.12 %), 2-undecanone (3.80 %), Nerolidol (2.25 %), Biphenyl (8.50 %), Methylisoeugenol (13.08 %), 1-phenanthrenecarboxylic acid (3.26 %). Based on the PASS server, these small molecules can be antivirals, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, immunostimulant, antihypertensive antimutagenic, and anticholesterol. All small molecules have good drug-likeness potential, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity in the body based on in silico analysis (SwissADME and Pro Tox II). It can be the basis for developing nutraceuticals to increase immunity and prevent exposure to Covid-19. © 2023 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.

2nd International Conference on Agribusiness and Rural Development, IConARD 2021

The proceedings contain 123 papers. The topics discussed include: strengthening of seaweed business institutions through cooperatives in Bulukumba Regency, Indonesia;farmers characteristics and efficiency levels of organic rice businesses;type and feasibility of agribusiness of Kub chicken household scale;in vitro cultured and supply chain Porang in South Sumatra;impact of integration of import tariff policy and strategic programs to increase milk production on the availability of fresh milk in Indonesia;market integration: how does it work in National Shallot Commodity Market in the middle of Covid-19 pandemic?;empowering Kedah as the northern national hub for sustainable beef-cattle supply chain and production;the blue ocean strategy analysis of chrysanthemum flower;consumer preference for local apples Malang and imported apples during the pandemic;and supply chain management of red chili based on the food supply chain network in Yogyakarta Indonesia.

Prospects for the Use of Marine Sulfated Fucose-Rich Polysaccharides in Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.

Symptoms of the new coronavirus infection that appeared in 2019 (COVID-19) range from low fever and fatigue to acute pneumonia and multiple organ failure. The clinical picture of COVID-19 is heterogeneous and involves most physiological systems; therefore, drugs with a wide spectrum of mechanism of action are required. The choice of the treatment strategy for post-COVID-19 syndrome is still a challenge to be resolved. Polysaccharides with a high fucose content derived from seaweed and marine animals can form the basis for the subsequent development of promising agents for the treatment of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 syndrome. This class of biopolymers is characterized by a variety of biological activities, including antiviral, antithrombotic, anticoagulant, hemo-stimulating, anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory. Low molecular weight derivatives of these polysaccharides, as well as synthetic oligosaccharides with a sufficient amount and sulfation type may be considered as the most promising compounds due to their better bioavailability, which undoubtedly increases their therapeutic potential.

Therapeutic Applications of Fucoidans and their Potential to Act against COVID-19.

In this review article, we present the updated evidence of therapeutic applications of fucoidan (a seaweed polysaccharide) and its novel potential to treat infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Because of their many biological activities, seaweeds have been identified as a rich and useful source of bioactive chemicals. Sulfated polysaccharides from the sea are considered a source of physiologically active chemicals that might be used in medication development. Antitumor, antiviral, antioxidant, antibacterial, anticoagulant, and immune-inflammatory properties have all been described for these compounds. By interfering at various phases of viral infection, marine sulfated polysaccharide has a virucidal effect. As a result, it opens the door to the development of antiviral treatments. Virus entry into host cells is an initial process, avoiding this type of entry makes any precautionary measure effective. The inhibitory action of certain marine sulfated polysaccharides against coronavirus was tested, and fucoidan, iota-carrageenan, and sea cucumber sulfated polysaccharides all showed a substantial antiviral impact. Fucoidan is one of the useful sulfated polysaccharides that has been widely studied and explored in various research. There are different sources of fucoidans, which have been used in the treatment of viral infection. Additionally, we highlight the mechanism of action of fuocidan against COVID-19. Hence, we could suggest that COVID-19 might be prevented and treated using these sulfated polysaccharides. This review thus highlights ample evidence to support the hypothesis that a large number of drugs have been developed from powerful compounds isolated from marine seaweeds.

Current Status and Future Trends in Removal, Control, and Mitigation of Algae Food Safety Risks for Human Consumption.

With the rapid development of the economy and productivity, an increasing number of citizens are not only concerned about the nutritional value of algae as a potential new food resource but are also, in particular, paying more attention to the safety of its consumption. Many studies and reports pointed out that analyzing and solving seaweed food safety issues requires holistic and systematic consideration. The three main factors that have been found to affect the food safety of algal are physical, chemical, and microbiological hazards. At the same time, although food safety awareness among food producers and consumers has increased, foodborne diseases caused by algal food safety incidents occur frequently. It threatens the health and lives of consumers and may cause irreversible harm if treatment is not done promptly. A series of studies have also proved the idea that microbial contamination of algae is the main cause of this problem. Therefore, the rapid and efficient detection of toxic and pathogenic microbial contamination in algal products is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. At the same time, two other factors, such as physical and chemical hazards, cannot be ignored. Nowadays, the detection techniques are mainly focused on three major hazards in traditional methods. However, especially for food microorganisms, the use of traditional microbiological control techniques is time-consuming and has limitations in terms of accuracy. In recent years, these two evaluations of microbial foodborne pathogens monitoring in the farm-to-table chain have shown more importance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, there are also many new developments in the monitoring of heavy metals, algal toxins, and other pollutants. In the future, algal food safety risk assessment will not only focus on convenient, rapid, low-cost and high-accuracy detection but also be connected with some novel technologies, such as the Internet of Things (artificial intelligence, machine learning), biosensor, and molecular biology, to reach the purpose of simultaneous detection.

Pulmonary palytoxin poisoning on CT imaging

Background: Palytoxin poisoning is an uncommon exposure in the US, and is most frequently encountered amongst hobbiests and professionals in the aquarium industry. The toxin is produced by the microalgae Ostreopsis as well as the coral Palythoa toxica. Discovered in Hawaii, the name limu-make-o-Hana translates to "seaweed of death from Hana." Palytoxin interrupts Na+/ K+ ATPase pump, resulting in widespread cellular dysfunction. Persons are at highest risk when cleaning a fish tank housing the coral that produces palytoxin, resulting in cutaneous or inhalational exposure. We present a case of palytoxin inhalational exposure with computed tomography (CT) imaging. Case report: A 41-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with dyspnea, cough, and wheezing after cleaning his saltwater fish tank. He reported that he maintains Zoanthid corals in his home saltwater fish tank and typically wears personal protective equipment when cleaning the tank. He had taken off his mask directly after using hot water to clean the tank, and quickly developed shortness of breath. He contacted Poison Control and was instructed to take loratadine with initial improvement in his symptoms. He then developed decreased appetite, nausea, and chills. The following day, in addition to these symptoms, he developed a fever of 102.5 degreeF and an oxygen saturation of 88% measured with an at-home pulse oximeter. He then proceeded to the ED where he was found to be hypoxic to 91% on room air, tachycardic to 120 bpm, hypotensive to 93/ 70mmHg, febrile to 100.9 degreeF and tachypneic at a respiratory rate of 30. Physical exam revealed clear lung sounds. Application of supplemental oxygen at 2 L resulted in improvement in his oxygen saturation and his hypotension and tachycardia responded to intravenous fluids. Significant laboratory results included WBC count of 20.4 with bands of 14%, elevated lactate of 2.4mmol/L, elevated D-dimer of 0.48 mug/mL and a negative COVID PCR test. CTA thorax revealed patchy ground-glass opacities in the bilateral upper and lower lobes with mosaicism. The patient received doxycycline in addition to broad spectrum antibiotics due to concern for inhalational marine toxicity. He was also started on 60mg prednisone, inhaled steroids, and bronchodilators for symptomatic treatment, with improvement in his symptoms. During his hospitalization, a respiratory viral panel was negative for common viruses associated with atypical pneumonia including influenza, coronavirus, metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, bocavirus, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma pneumonia. His dyspnea gradually improved and he was weaned off supplemental oxygen prior to discharge home on hospital day 2. Discussion(s): It is unclear what changes are expected on thoracic imaging in patients with inhalational palytoxin exposure. Chest radiographs in two previous cases displayed scattered infiltrates, and a chest CT in another case showed pleural based consolidations. The ground-glass mosaicism suggests that a more diffuse reactive airway process after an inhalational palytoxin insult. Conclusion(s): Patients with inhalational palytoxin exposure may be found to have reactive airway symptoms along with ground glass opacities with mosaicism on CT imaging.