• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.393-402
• /
• 2018

Genomic DNA was isolated from the Gracilaria vermiculophylla (GRV) and G. chorda (GRC) from Jangheung located in the southern sea of the Korean Peninsula, respectively and we performed clustering analyses, DNA polymorphisms and the genetic differences. The seven selected primers OPC-01, OPA-04, OPA-05, OPD-07, OPD-08, OPB-10, and OPD-16 generated average bandsharing (BS) value, the genetic distance and dendrogram. The size of DNA bands varies from 90 bp to 2,400 bp. The average BS value was $0.859{\pm}0.004$ within GRV and $0.916{\pm}0.006$ within GRC. The average BS value between two Gracilaria species was $0.340{\pm}0.003$, ranged from 0.250 to 0.415. The dendrogram obtained by the seven primers, indicates two genetic clusters. The genetic distance between two Gracilaria species ranged from 0.059 to 0.513. The individual VERMICULOPHYLLA no. 07 of GRV was genetically closely related to VERMICULOPHYLLA no. 06 of GRV (genetic distance=0.059). Especially, two entities between the individual VERMICULOPHYLLA no. 10 of GRV and CHORDA no. 22 of GRC showed the longest genetic distance (0.513) in comparison with other individuals used. Accordingly, as mentioned above, PCR analysis showed that the GRV was a little more genetically diverse than the GRC species. We convinced that this DNA analysis revealed a significant genetic distance between two Gracilaria species pairs (p<0.01).

• ALGAE
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.217-225
• /
• 2014

Land-based seaweed (Gracilaria) cultivation systems may provide products with high quality and biosafety for human consumption, as well as for other high value applications. However, a limitation for this land based system is high management costs. The objective of this study was to determine if the management costs for Gracilaria cultivation can be reduced without a decrease in productivity by using $CO_2$ injection along with a high stocking density and high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and commercially available fertilizers. When Gracilaria tikvahiae was cultivated at a high stocking density and high PAR, coupled with $CO_2$ enhancement, the productivity was significantly higher than that at a lower stocking density, low light without $CO_2$ injection. We also found that G. tikvahiae grown in a medium of commercially available fertilizer (Jack's Special, JS) showed a similar growth rate and productivity to that grown in von Stosch's enriched (VSE) seawater, while the cost for JS media is only 2% of the cost for VSE. These results suggest that $CO_2$ injection and commercial fertilizer may be a potential way to provide sustainability in land-based Gracilaria cultivation systems.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.9
• /
• pp.1042-1047
• /
• 2018

The red algae Gracilaria vermiculophylla is widespread on seashores worldwide and has been used as food in Asian countries. Previous studies have reported that extracts of Gracilaria red algae have beneficial anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study examined the anti-senescence effects of Gracilaria vermiculophylla extracts (GV-Ex) in replicatively senescent human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). GV-Ex pretreatment improved the cellular viability of hBM-MSCs that had been injured by oxidative stress. These effects of GV-Ex were confirmed by MTT assay and immunoblot analysis using the apoptotic proteins p53 and cleaved caspase-3. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were examined in long-term cultured Passages 17 (P-17) mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and compared to P-7 MSC. The ROS accumulation was greater in the P-17 than in the P-7. However, these increased ROS levels in the P-17 were decreased significantly after treatment with GV-Ex, and restoration of the levels of the anti-oxidant enzymes SOD1, SOD2, and CAT was also observed under these conditions. In addition, P-17 hBM-MSC treated with GV-Ex had decreased levels of the senescence proteins p53, p21, and p16. The results show that the ability of P-17 hBM-MSC to differentiate into osteocytes and adipocytes was improved by GV-Ex treatment, suggesting that GV-Ex ameliorates the functional decline of senescent stem cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.117-120
• /
• 1994

As part of search for new biologically active substances from marine organism, we have isolated a glyecrol glycoside from the marine red alga Gracilaria verrucosa. The structure of the glycerol glycoside was elucidated as 2-O-${\alpha}-_D$-galactopyranosylglycerol[floridoside(4)] on the basis of spectroscopic and physicochemical evidences.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.542-546
• /
• 2018

In this study, the effects of malonic acid-catalyzed pretreatment on the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of red macro-algae Gracilaria verrucosa for production of biosugar (total reducing sugar) were investigated. In the hydrothermal pretreatment condition of 300 mM malonic acid, 1:20 solid-to-liquid ratio at $130^{\circ}C$ for 60 min, a 49.2% biosugar yield was achieved. Moreover, by subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis after pretreatment, maximum yield of 64.5% was achieved.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.147-151
• /
• 1998

The reproductive phenology of Gracilaria verrucosa was studied in Cheongsapo near Pusan, Korea. Among the life history phases, tetrasporic plants occurred dominantly in varying degrees of abundance throughout the year except from July to September. Cystocarpic plants increased rapidly during summer, and then recorded maximum abundance in July. Whereas, seasonal peaks of spermatangial plants were observed in April and September. However, they were less than cystocarpic plants in abundance. Vegetative plants dominated from December to May for long period, with a occurrence peak in February. Even though fertile plants in both gametophytes and tetrasporophytes occurred throughout the year, their seasonal abundance suggests that the positive correlation between reproduction and water temperature is basically found in the reproductive pattern of Gracilaria verrucosa. The distributional aspect of life history phases appears to be related with differences of their longevity, fecundity or survivorship.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.474-479
• /
• 2003

The effect of season, life stages and harvesting sites on the yield and properties of agars extracted from Gracilaria verrucosa were determined. G. verrucosa were collected seasonally from November 2001 to August 2002 at Cheongsapo and Boryong, Korea. The plants were sorted Into the different life stages (tetrasporophytes and gametophytes) and dried at $60^{\circ}C.$ The yield, sulfate, protein, uronic acid and 3,6-anhydrogalactose of the agar were determined, and standard parameters of physical quality were measured. No differences were found in yield and properties of agars from the two different harvesting sites and from lift history phases. The yield of agar was maximum in summer $(17.3-20.0\%)$ and minimum in winter $(11.9-13.1\%).$ Maximum gel strength occurred in winter when the agar yield and sulfate content were low. Gel strength was negatively correlated with agar yleld. Seasonal variations in agar yield and its quality were discussed in a view to managing the exploitation of this resource.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.329-340
• /
• 2018

The present study was to determine the effects of salinity on the growth and nutrient bioextraction abilities of Gracilaria and Ulva species, and to determine if these seaweeds can be used for nutrient bioextraction under hypo- and / or hyperosmotic conditions. Two Gracilaria species, G. chorda and G. vermiculophylla, and two Ulva species, U. prolifera and U. compressa, were cultured at various salinity conditions (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 psu) for 3 weeks. Results showed that the growth rates, nutrient uptake, tissue nutrient contents and nutrient removal were significantly affected by salinity and species. All four species were euryhaline with the highest growth rates at 20 psu. Among the four species, U. prolifera, U. compressa, and G. vermiculophylla showed potential to be used for nutrient bioextraction in estuaries and / or land-based fish farms due to their rapid growth, high nutrient uptake, high tissue carbon and nitrogen accumulation and removal capacities.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.69-75
• /
• 2018

The red algae Gracilaria vermiculophylla is widely spread around seaside areas across the globe, and has been used as a food resource in Southeast Asian countries. Previous studies have shown that Gracilaria red algae extracts have beneficial antihypercholesterolemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant effects of Gracilaria vermiculophylla extracts (GV-Ex) on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). The acetone and DMSO/ethanol solvents of the tested GV contain higher total flavonoid and polyphenolic contents that can strongly scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Pre-treatment with GV-Ex protected hBM-MSCs against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide treatment. The protective effects of GV-Ex treatment were confirmed by MTT assay. The elevated levels of ROS in hBM-MSCs caused by hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress were significantly decreased by GV extract treatment. The levels of the antioxidant proteins superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and catalase (CAT) were also restored or protected by GV-Ex treatment, suggesting that GV extracts moderate excess ROS levels and prevent cells from oxidative damage.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.257-260
• /
• 2001

The effects of light, desiccation and salinity on the discharge of spores in Korean agarophyte, Gracilaria verrucosa were studied. Among the examined factors, light after darkness was the most effective for spore discharge. The maximum release of tetraspores was induced at 24 h after the treatment. Desiccation also seems to be conductive to the release of tetraspores. However, its effect, as in treatment of distilled water for salinity, was hardly found in induction of carpospore discharge. This may suggest that spore discharge in this alga is primarily related with photoperiodic rhythm. Also it appears that the amount of light energy received by fertile thalli also significantly affects to the spore release, considering relationship between the amount of the discharged spores and the elapsed time after treatment.