Phytochemical Constituents, Antimicrobial Properties and Bioactivity of Marine Red Seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) and Seagrass (Cymodocea serrulata).

The present work was performed to evaluate the levels of phytochemical constituents and the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of marine red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) and seagrass (Cymodocea serrulata). Quantitative phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against five potential pathogenic bacteria was investigated. In each case, we found the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, glycosides, steroids, carbohydrates and ashes. Alkaloids were only found in K. alvarezii, though they were not found in C. serrulata. The antimicrobial properties of both K. alvarezii and C. serrulata chloroform extracts were found to be antagonistically effective against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and the Gram-negative bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio harveyi and Klebsiella pneumoniae. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 94 bioactive compounds in K. alvarezii and 104 bioactive compounds in C. serrulata, including phenol, decane, dodecane, hexadecane, vanillin, heptadecane, diphenylamine, benzophenone, octadecanoic acid, dotriaconate, benzene, phytol, butanoic acid and 2-hydroxyl-ethyl ether, which all played important roles in antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Thus, in view of the results, both K. alvarezii and C. serrulata could be considered to be sources of ingredients with appreciable nutritional and medicinal value.

Metal accumulation and biomineralisation of coastal and mangrove-associated molluscs of Palk Bay, Southeastern India.

The present study aimed to determine metal accumulation levels in tissue and biomineralisation in shells of 20 species of molluscs (13 gastropods and 7 bivalves) from Palk Bay, India. In most cases, metal concentrations in the tissues were higher than in the shells of the same species collected from same location, meaning that in many cases biomineralisation factors of metal ratios were <1. The highest biomineralisation factor for Cd was detected in Melampus sincaporensis (3.72 ± 0.1) from the Thondi mangrove, for Pb in Cerithidea cingulata (2.51 ± 0.17) from the Vattanam mangrove, for Cu in Melampus sincaporensis (0.88 ± 0.2) from the Thondi mangrove, and for Zn in Cerithidea cingulata (0.93 ± 0.3) from the Devipattinam mangrove. In most cases, metal concentrations were higher than reported in previous studies but were within the maximum limits stated by national and international regulatory agencies. Variations in the biomineralisation factor of metal ratios among the molluscan species likely stems from variations in bioaccumulation efficiency, selectivity of individual organisms, and availability of metals in the mangrove and coastal environments.

Heavy metals accumulation in seagrasses collected from Palk Bay, South-eastern India.

Metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were analysed in five seagrass species from five locations of the Palk Bay coast of south-eastern India. The maximum Cd concentration (2.83 ± 0.08 µg g-1) was recorded in Syringodium isoetifolium on the Mallipattinam coast in the post-monsoon season, and the Cu (29.54 ± 1.03 µg g-1) in Enhalus acoroides of the Thondi coast during monsoon season. The maximum concentrations of Pb (3.12 ± 0.14 µg g-1) and Zn (52.66 ± 0.88 µg g-1) were observed in S. isoetifolium and Cymodoceae rotundata on the Devipattinam and Karangadu coasts, respectively, during the monsoon season. The metal concentrations obtained in different seagrass species varied significantly among species, and no clear monsoon season had a clear effect on the accumulation of heavy metals in the investigated seagrass species. S. isoetifolium has higher capacity for Cd and Pb accumulation than other tested seagrass species.

Chemical Biopreservative Effects of Red Seaweed on the Shelf Life of Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon).

Hypnea musciformis (HM) and Acanthophora muscoides (AM) red seaweeds were evaluated for their antioxidant properties and efficacy to extend the chemical shelf life of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) during 14-daystorage. Treated shrimp were soaked in five percent ethanolic solution with 500 µg/mL of AM or HM powder for 30 min. HM had more phenols and flavonoids, increased radical scavenging activity, and greater H2O2 reducing power than AM in vitro. Biochemical quality indicators were significantly higher in the control group, followed by HM- and AM-treated samples during storage. On day 14 of storage, controls contained significantly higher amounts of biogenic amines than HM- or AM-treated samples. The shelf life of chilled stored shrimp increased due to the presence of compounds of butylated hydroxytoluene, sulfurous acid, heptadecane, mono (2-ethylhexyl), and 1,2-propanediol found in AM extract and sulfurous acid and 1,2-propanediol found in HM extract. A control group was soaked in the same ethanolic solution as treated samples without algae powder for 30 min. Each group was kept ice-cold during the soaking period. The results obtained demonstrate the usefulness of two seaweed extracts, Hypnea musciformis and Acanthophora muscoides, combined with ice by decreasing the formation of toxic biogenic amines in shrimp, enhancing its shelf life during ice storage.

Biochemical, Micronutrient and Physicochemical Properties of the Dried Red Seaweeds Gracilaria edulis and Gracilaria corticata.

The present study sought to evaluate the nutritional composition and physicochemical properties of two dried commercially interesting edible red seaweeds, Gracilaria corticata and G. edulis. Proximate composition of the dried seaweeds revealed a higher content in carbohydrates (8.30 g/100 g), total crude protein (22.84 g/100 g) and lipid content (7.07 g/100 g) in G. corticata than in G. edulis. Fatty acids profile showed that G. corticata samples contain higher concentrations of saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic and stearic acids, and polyunsaturated ones such as α-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids. Contrariwise, G. edulis contained higher amounts of monounsaturated oleic acid. Total amino acid content was 76.60 mg/g in G. corticata and 65.42 mg/g in G. edulis, being the essential amino acid content higher in G. edulis (35.55 mg/g) than in G. corticata (22.76 mg/g). Chlorophyll a was found in significantly higher amounts in G. edulis (17.14 µg/g) than G. corticata, whereas carotenoid content was significantly higher in G. corticata (12.98 µg/g) than in G. edulis. With respect to physical properties, both water- and oil-holding capacities were similar in both seaweeds, whereas swelling capacity was higher in G. edulis. In view of the results, the present study suggests that G. corticata and G. edulis contains important nutrients for human health and are possible natural functional foods.

Metals accumulation in edible marine algae collected from Thondi coast of Palk Bay, Southeastern India.

This study aimed to monitor the concentrations of metals including Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in commercially important and commonly edible brown, red and green algal species collected from Thondi coast, southeast India. Green seaweed Chaetomorpha linum contained higher (Cd 8.51 mg kg-1, Pb 5.24  mg kg-1, Cu 15.38 mg kg-1, and Zn 22.34  mg kg-1) concentrations of metals than other tested seaweed samples. The concentrations of metals significantly varied within and between the investigated species of seaweed samples (P < 0.05). It was revealed that Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn metals were present in the species of seaweeds at different concentration. The residual levels of metals were less than the maximum allowable levels specified for human consumption compared to PTWIs, JECFA, FAO/WHO, FSSAI and EC. This study suggested that exposure to the analysed metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) through seaweeds consumption does not raise serious health effects to consumers and it is safe for human consumption.

Changes on biogenic, volatile amines and microbial quality of the blue swimmer crab (Portunus pelagicus) muscle during storage.

Biogenic amines (BAs) are a group of substances with low molecular weight organic compounds such as aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic structures that are naturally present in animal tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes on the formation of biogenic amine, bacterial load and biochemical characteristics in blue swimmer crab (Portunus pelagicus) at different storage temperatures (4 and 20 °C) up to 96 h. From seven BAs only four biogenic amines (tryptamine, putrescine, histamine, and tyramine) were detected while, the cadaverine, spermidine and spermine were absent in all investigated samples. Histamine was the major biogenic amine formed during the storage times and reached the highest concentration of 7.55 ± 0.46 mg/100 g and 17.68 ± 1.30 mg/100 g after 96 h at 4 and 20 °C, respectively. This level of histamine exceeded the maximum tolerance level of 5 mg/100 g. However, the proper icing procedure retarded the histamine effects, resulting only 7.55 mg/100 g after 96 h of ice storage. Spoilage indicator putrescine was only detected after 24-96 h of storage at 4 and 20 °C, respectively. The total volatile base nitrogen and the trimethylamine-nitrogen concentrations were considered to be reliable indicators of freshness index in blue swimmer crab. An aerobic mesophilic plate count of 6.68 and 7.31 log CFU/g were noted for crab stored in ice and ambient temperature after 96 h storage, respectively. It could be concluded that the biogenic amine forming bacteria and other susceptible perishing factors responsible for the biogenic amine formation could be prevented by continuous storage of P. pelagicus at low temperature.

Toxic heavy metals in commercially important food fishes collected from Palk Bay, Southeastern India.

Toxic heavy metals are an important group of emerging chemical contaminants in seafood. Heavy metal concentrations in commercially important and most commonly eaten 10 fish species from Thondi fish landing, southeast coast of India, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentrations of heavy metals significantly varied within and between the investigated fish species (P<0.05). The results of this study showed best significant correlations among the toxic heavy metals in the fish samples. It was revealed that Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn metals were present in the fish samples at various levels. The residual levels of toxic heavy metals were less than the permissible levels specified for human consumption by the European Union, Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization guidelines. Therefore, the fish species found in the Thondi fish landing and their fishery products can be considered safe for human consumption and can be exported worldwide.