• ALGAE
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2007

Annual growth segments of Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis (Fucales, Fucaceae) are denoted by air bladders that form each spring. By examining annual growth segments, it may be possible to infer information about the physical conditions during the growth period; however, it is uncertain whether the annual segments will expand in size after the initial growth. We examined A. nodosum segments from three populations in Nova Scotia, and statistically evaluated whether the annual growth (length, mass, and maximum diameter) of segments was independent of the age of the frond, whether the segments increased in size after the initial growth, and whether the segment lengths were correlated with mean water temperatures and mean air temperatures when the segments were formed. We found that the growth in length of A. nodosum is dependent on the age of the frond, but frond age explained less than 12 % of the overall variation in length. However, the mass and maximum diameter of segments were independent of the age of the frond. Differences occurred between the lengths of segments formed in different years, but there was no significant correlation with regional mean water or air temperatures. This study indicates that the length of A. nodosum segments may be an indicator of the annual physical characteristics of a site, but future studies are needed to identify which factors have the strongest influence on growth patterns.

• ALGAE
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.327-331
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• 2011

An analysis of the vegetative and reproductive anatomy of Sargassum lapazeanum was performed based on extensive sampling in three areas within its geographical range: a) San Juan de la Costa, b) Punta Calera, c) Punta Machos. Material was collected from low intertidal to subtidal populations and evaluated based on variations present within and between populations. Our goal was to comprehensively analyze the features of the vegetative and reproductive anatomy of this species. Our observations showed that this species has cauline, which is anatomically composed of three tissues layers. This species is dioic, with male and female conceptacles in the same receptacle but with different maturation times. The present study confirmed the presence of cauline in this species; this structure was previously described for some species in the Gulf of California, such as Sargassum horridum, and for several species in Japan. This structure could be responsible for the growth of primary branches and may also generate a new plant. This trend might explain the perennial nature of this species at the population level. Field and laboratory experiments could help to delimit the ecophysiological conditions under which this structure starts to develop.

• ALGAE
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.245-251
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• 2006

Diurnal and age-related changes in air pressure were measured in air bladders of Ascophyllum nodosum from the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. Exterior and interior bladder volumes vary significantly with 4 and 6 y bladders being about 40% larger than 2 y bladders (p < 0.01). Freshly collected bladders yielded a mean pressure of 40.8 ± 6.5 cm H2O. Overnight (20 h) dark treatment at 15°C generated pressure reductions by 80% in 2 y bladders but only by about 30% in 4 and 6 y bladders. Furthermore, in 2 y bladders 8 out of 11 bladders were reduced to atmospheric pressure. Pressure losses were inversely related to pressure recovery after 2.5 h in natural daylight, but after 5 h in daylight there was no significant difference in pressure within the age groups. Even under 25% of full illumination, bladders inflated to full pressure after 5 h. The results show that differences in bladder age and bladder wall thickness have roles in diurnal patterns of bladder inflation and deflation. These results confirm that bladder inflation is based on photosynthetic O2 production and not on partial pressures of O2 in the surrounding medium as was suggested for Sargassum. Chemical analyses of fluid recovered after the interior of bladders were washed with saline showed no evidence for the occurrence of surfactant that might be responsible for maintaining the air-liquid interface.

• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2019

Ecklonia cava (EC) has been widely utilized as an ingredient in commercial products such as functional foods and cosmeceuticals. Recently it has been found that Sargassum horneri (SH) has been invading on Jeju Island coast area by its huge blooming. Moreover, both seaweeds are considering as important ingredients in traditional medicine specifically in East-Asian countries (China, Japan, and Korea). In the present study, we attempted to compare anti-inflammatory properties of 70% ethanolic extracts of EC (ECE), SH (SHE), and their different combinations on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Results indicated that 8 : 2 combinations of ECE : SHE significantly inhibited LPS-activated inflammatory responses (cytokines, protein, and gene expression) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells compared to the respective extracts and other combinations. The synergistic effect of ECE and SHE was found to be prominent than the effects of ECE or SHE alone. These observations provide useful information for the industrial formulation of functional materials (functional foods and cosmeceuticals) using these two particular seaweeds in Jeju Island of South Korea.

• ALGAE
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2004

Characteristics of photosynthesis-light and photosynthesis-temperature relationships were seasonally compared among 4 species, two temperate Sargassurn (S. ringgoldianum and S. spathulophyllum) and two temperate kelp (Ecklonia cava and Eisenia bicyclis), growing in the same habitat in Oura Bay, Shimoda, central Japan. The photosynthesis-irradiance (P-I) curve of each species at the in situ temperature and the photosynthesis-temperature (P-T) curve at near saturation irradiance (400μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1)) were determined by using differential gas-volumeters. Maximum photosynthetic rates (Prnax) for P-I curves of the two Sargassurn species were higher from summer to autumn than from winter to spring, while those of the two kelp species showed little difference among seasons. Net photosynthetic rates (Pn) at 100-400μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1) of the Sargassurn species were higher than those of the kelp species in autumn, spring and summer, while in winter the rates were about the same between the Sargassurn and kelp species. Among seasons, the light saturation index (1k) values, dark respiration rates and light compensation points of Sargassurn species differed more than those of kelp species. Optimum temperature for P-T curves of Sargassurn species was 29℃ and that of kelp species was 27℃ in summer, while in winter the former was 27℃ and the latter was 25℃. Pn at 400 μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1) at 10-33℃ of Sargassurn species were considerably higher than those of kelp species from spring to summer, while from autumn to winter the rates at 5-27℃ were about the same between the two. At supra-optimum temperatures, Pn of kelp species decreased more sharply than those of Sargassurn species in each season. These facts indicate that the two temperate Sargassurn species have a higher potential photosynthetic performance under warmer conditions than the two temperate kelp species even though they grow in the same habitat.

• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2020

Sargassum macrocarpum is a rich source of anti-inflammatory compounds. Recently, one of the compounds, tuberatolide B, has been reported as a functional anti-inflammatory additive for foods and nutraceuticals. The artificial seeding, growth and maturation of S. macrocarpum were investigated from May 2018 to September 2019. Indoor culture experiments for induction of egg release were conducted at temperatures of 17, 20, 23, and 26℃ and irradiances of 0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1 under 14 : 10 h (L : D) photoperiod. Within a given treatment combination, higher temperatures and irradiance levels favoured the maturation of receptacles in S. macrocarpum. Using artificial temperature and irradiance control, thalli matured one month earlier than thalli in nature. Under natural condition, receptacle formation began in April, and the eggs were released in June and July. The release of eggs from the receptacles was promoted at 17-20℃ and 40-80 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1, and the fastest growth of germlings occuring at 15-17℃ and 40 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1. For mature thalli, 300 g wet-weight was sufficient to seed 100 m of seed string. Thalli grew to 10.5 ± 2.6 cm in length at a density of 6.7 ± 3.3 individuals m^-1 after 1 year of cultivation, from germination. This study demonstrates that it is possible to cultivate S. macrocarpum for the production of anti-inflammatory products.

• ALGAE
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.295-306
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• 2023

Human coronavirus diseases, particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, still remain a persistent public health issue, and many recent studies are focusing on the quest for new leads against coronaviruses. To contribute to this growing pool of knowledge and explore the available marine natural products against coronaviruses, this study investigated the antiviral effects of fucoxanthin isolated from Sargassum siliquastrum-a brown alga found on Jeju Island, South Korea. The antiviral effects of fucoxanthin were confirmed in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected Vero cells, and its structural characteristics were verified in silico using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations and in vitro colorimetric method. Fucoxanthin inhibited the infection in a concentration-dependent manner, without showing cytotoxicity. Molecular docking simulations revealed that fucoxanthin binds to the angiotensinconverting enzyme 2-spike protein (binding energy -318.306 kcal mol^-1) and main protease (binding energy -205.118 kcal mol^-1). Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations showed that fucoxanthin remains docked to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-spike protein for 20 ns, whereas it breaks away from main protease after 3 ns. Also, the in silico prediction of the fucoxanthin was verified through the in vitro colorimetric method by inhibiting the binding between angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 and spike protein in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that fucoxanthin exhibits antiviral effects against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by blocking the entry of the virus. Therefore, fucoxanthin from S. siliquastrum can be a potential candidate for treating coronavirus infection.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.271-277
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• 1985

As the fundamental studies for the population of Myagropsis myagroides, the effect of plant hormones on the regeneration for the primary, secondary lateral and receptacle segments were investigated. At high concentration($10^{-3}M\;and\;10^{-4}M$) of plant hormones inhibits from regenerating and lower concentrations advance the regeneration. The most effective concentrations of hormones on the primary lateral segments are $10^{-6}M$ of kinetine, IAA, NAA and $10^{-5}M$ of 2, 4-D in order, meanwhile in the secondary lateral segment $10^{-6}M$ of NAA, $10^{-8}M$ of kinetine, $10^{-7}M$ of IAA, and $10^{-5}M$ of 2, 4-D in order. The net regeneration rates of primary and secondary lateral segments which are measures by the wet weight are $124.1\%\;and\;228.9\%$, respectively. The influence of apical dominanace on the primary lateral segments decreases, on the other hand, increases in the secondary lateral segments because of the distance from the apex, Especially, the secondary lateral segments treated with below $10^{-5}M$ plant hormone are matures with receptacle of small branching by the regenerated branching.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.31-45
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• 2011

To understand the marine algal flora on Goheung coast, Korea, marine algae at 8 points were collected from November 2008 to February 2009 and from April to June 2009. Thirty-seven species (2 species of angiosperms, 5 chlorophytes, 12 phaeophytes, and 18 rhodophytes) occurred from fall to winter and 52 species (2 species of angiosperms, 9 chlorophytes, 18 phaeophytes, and 23 rhodophytes) occurred from spring to summer. Commonly occurring species were Ulva pertusa, Sargassum thunbergii, Hizikia fuziformis, and Gelidium amansii, and dominant species at most points were Ulva pertusa, Sargassum thunbergii, and Gelidium amansii. The average of the ratio of total rhodophytes and chlorophytes to phaeophytes ((R+C)/P) was 1.61 in fall to winter and 1.69 in spring to summer, and the average Laminariales/Fucales/Dictyotales (LFD) ratio was 1.14 in fall to winter and 1.18 in spring to summer. These results show that the marine algal flora of Goheung could be considered as temperate. The LFD ratio was fit for showing a feature of algal flora of Goheung. Species diversity index was high at Points 4~6 while low at Points 1 and 8. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) showed that the similarity of occurring species at Points 3 and 4 was higher than the other points from fall to winter, whereas the occurred species at Points 1~4 were similar from spring to summer. The average values of ecological evaluation index (EEI) of the investigation points were 6.8 from fall to winter and 6.3 from spring to summer, which means that the ecological environment of the investigation points were middle class and the EEI values of outer sea points were higher than the inner bay points.