• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2015

To examine the relationship between competition and environmental factors, the germlings of Ascophyllum nodosum (L) Le Jolis and Fucus vesiculosus L. were cultured in monocultures and mixtures of the two species under two different exposure and nutrient levels. Both intra- and inter-specific competition were examined in comparison of the mortality and growth of germlings in monocultures and mixtures of the two species. The mortality of germlings increased with increasing density and emergence periods both in the monoculture and mixtures of the two species, and the mortality of Ascophyllum was significantly higher than that of Fucus both in submerged and emerged treatments. The growth of germlings of both species reduced with increasing density but F. vesiculosus always grew faster than Ascophyllum. The values of log output ratio were more than 0.1, indicating that Fucus 'won' in the competitive battles with Ascophyllum under two nutrient- and air-exposure levels. Log output ratio was greater in high than in low nutrients, indicating that the growth of Fucus is more enhanced than that of Ascophyllum in high nutrients. In the present study, the outcome of inter specific competition between germlings of Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum was slightly altered by duration of emergence and nutrient concentration, but not to such an extent as to change the outcome.

• ALGAE
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 2009

Imaging-PAM fluorometry was used to assess the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameter ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ (effective quantum yield) in Frcus vesiculosus. F. disttchus. ssp. distichus and AscophyIIum nodosum. The objective was to show variadon in fluorescence yield associated with age and frond organ, and to illustrate the spatial scales at which photosynthetic parameters vary on fucoid thalli. In addition, our species represented taxa in different but related genera, species with different ecoloeies (rock pool and non rock pool species), morphologies (with and without air bladders) and longevities (several to 20 or more years). A further objective was to determine the extent to which photosynthetic parameters reflected these differences- Effective quantum yield declined substantially with age in F. vesiculosus and F. distichus ssp. distichus, whereas ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ in A. nodosum was maximal after three years. In A. nodosum ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ was still high in branch segments at least seven years old. Older branches of A. nodosum showed relatively higher and more homogeneous photosynthetic capacity relative to Fucus species. Surfaces of air bladders in A. nodosum and F. vesicu- losus had ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ that was not significantly different from the highest rates, achieved in these species. The heterogene- ity of photosynthetic efficiency is consistent with morphological and developmental differences among the species and their ecology. in particular the longevity of A. nodosum fronds.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.237-247
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• 2014

Polysaccharides prepared from marine algae sometimes contain contaminants such as polyphenols and endotoxins that may mislead their bona fide biological activities. In this study, we examined bioactive contaminants in commercially available fucoindan from Fucus vesiculosus, along with ascophyllan and fucoidan from Ascophyllum nodosum. F. vesiculosus fucoidan inhibited the growth of Vibrio alginolyticus in a concentration-dependent manner ($0-1,000{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$). However, the antibacterial activity of the fucoidan significantly reduced after methanol-extraction, and the methanol-extract showed a potent antibacterial activity. The extract also showed cytotoxicity to RAW264.7 and U937 cells, and induced apoptotic nuclear morphological changes in U937 cells. These results suggest that the antibacterial activity of the fucoidan is partly due to the methanol-extractable contaminants that can also contribute to the cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 and U937 cells. On the other hand, the activities to induce secretion of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ from RAW264.7 cells were observed in the fucoidan even after methanol extraction, and the extract had no such activities. Our observations suggest that commercially available fucoidan should be purified prior to biochemical use.

• ALGAE
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2012

Germanium dioxide ($GeO_2$) has been used for many years in the cultivation of red and green algae as a means of controlling the growth of diatoms. Brown algae are sensitive to $GeO_2$, however, the basis of this sensitivity has not been characterized. Here we use embryos of $Fucus$ $vesiculosus$ to investigate morphological and physiological impacts of $GeO_2$ toxicity. Morphometric features of embryos were measured microscopically, and physiological features were determined using pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry. At 5 mg $L^{-1}$ $GeO_2$, embryos grew slower than controls and developed growth abnormalities. After 24 h, initial zygote divisions were often oblique rather than transverse. Rhizoids had inflated tips in $GeO_2$ and were less branched, and apical hairs were deformed, with irregularly aligned, spheroidal cells. Minimum fluorescence ($F_0$) showed minor differences over the 10 days experiment, and pigment levels (chlorophylls $a$, $c$ and total carotenoids) showed no difference after 10 days. Optimum quantum yield increased from ca. 0.52 at 24 h to 0.67 at 5 days, and $GeO_2$-treated embryos had higher mean values (significant at 3 and 5 days). Optimum quantum yield of photosystem II (${\Phi}_{PSII}$) was stable in control thalli after 5 days, but declined significantly in $GeO_2$. Addition of silica (as $SiO_2$) did not reverse the effects of $GeO_2$. These results suggest that $GeO_2$ toxicity in brown algae is associated with negative impacts at the cytological level rather than metabolic impacts associated with photosynthesis.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2007

Sargassum fulvellum, a marine brown alga, is a popular low priced edible plant in Korean markets. The polysaccharide fraction of the alga was separated and investigated for its radical scavenging activities and the results compared with those of commercial fucoidans (Fucus vesiculosus and Undaria pinnatifida), BHA and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. The polysaccharide fraction of S. fulvellum showed a promising DPPH radical scavenging activity than did other fucoidans. Moreover, the sample exhibited a dose-dependent activity on hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity in the V79-4 cell line. Interestingly, all the tested polysaccharide counterparts were more potent NO. scavengers than were the commercial antioxidants, BHA and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. The sulfated polysaccharide of S. fulvellum had an approximate molecular weight of 529 kDa and mainly consisted of fucose and galactose, and minor amounts of mannose, rhamnose and xylose.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.212-217
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• 2007

Fucoidan (fucan sulfate) is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide from brown algae such as Fucus vesiculosus, Ecklonia kurome, and Cladosiphon okamuranus. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fucoidan on the expression of diabetes-related genes in mouse cell line 3T3-L1. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were cultured for 48 hr with or without fucoidan (10, 100, and 500 ppm) on a 60 mm dish. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for measurement of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor ${\gamma}\;(PPAR{\gamma})$, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}\;(C/EBP{\gamma})$, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) RT-PCR analysis revealed that expression level of GLUT4, $PPAR{\gamma}$, and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ mRNAs increased with fucoidan treatment from 10 to 500 ppm in a dose-dependent manner. Fucoidan appears to enhance insulin sensitivity by increasing the expression level of diabetes-related genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, fucoidan is potentially useful as a natural therapeutic material for hyperglycemia in type II diabetes patients.

• ALGAE
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.333-338
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• 2007

A fucoidan, isolated from Korean Undaria pinnatifida spoprophyll (UP-F), was investigated for its immunomodulating activity on murine macrophages and splenocytes, and its activity was compared with that of fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus (FV-F). Treatment of UP-F resulted in inhibition of the growth of murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, but its cytotoxicity was not observed in normal murine splenocytes. FV-F was shown to be highly cytotoxic to both immune cells, and its cytotoxic activity was higher than that of UP-F. Treatment of UP-F induced TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner from two types of macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages. The TNF-α-inducing activity of UP-F was higher than that of FV-F. UP-F also actively induced chemokines (RANTES and MIP-1α) from RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, treatment of UP-F gave rise to activation of murine splenocytes to produce cytokine (IL-6) and chemokines (RANTES and MIP-1α), showing significantly higher activity than that of FV-F. These results indicate that UP-F is less cytotoxic to immune cells than FV-F, and possesses immunomodulating activity to produce cytokines and chemokines from macrophages and splenocytes.