• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.269-278
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• 2018

Ocean warming can have significant negative impacts on population genetic diversity, local endemism and geographical distribution of a wide range of marine organisms. Thus, the identification of conservation units with high risk of extinction becomes an imperative task to assess, monitor, and manage marine biodiversity for policy-makers. Here, we surveyed population structure and genetic variation of the red seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla along the coast of China using genome-based amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) scanning. Regardless of analysis methods used, AFLP consistently revealed a south to north genetic isolation. Populations at the southern coast of China showed unique genetic variation and much greater allelic richness, heterozygosity, and average genetic diversity than the northern. In particular, we identified a geographical barrier that may hinder genetic exchange between the two lineages. Consequently, the characterized genetic lineage at the southern coast of China likely resulted from the interplay of post-glacial persistence of ancestral diversity, geographical isolation and local adaptation. In particular, the southern populations are indispensable components to explore evolutionary genetics and historical biogeography of G. vermiculophylla in the northwestern Pacific, and the unique diversity also has important conservation value in terms of projected climate warming.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.49-63
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• 2022

Anti-cholinesterase (ChE)s are commonly prescribed as the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. They are applied to prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) that bind to muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the synaptic cleft. Seaweeds are one of the richest sources of bioactive compounds for both nutraceuticals and pharmacognosy applications. This study aimed to determine the anti-ChEs activity of Gracilaria manilaensis, one of the red seaweeds notables for its economic importance as food and raw materials for agar production. Methanol extracts (GMM) of G. manilaensis were prepared through maceration, and further purified with column chromatography into a semi-pure fraction. Ellman assay was carried out to determine the anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and anti-butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities of extracts and fractions. Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis was carried out to determine the inhibition kinetic of potent extract and fraction. Major compound(s) from the most potent fraction was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS). GMM and fraction G (GMMG) showed significant inhibitory activity AChE with EC₅₀ of 2.6 mg/mL and 2.3 mg/mL respectively. GMM and GMMG exhibit mixed-inhibition and uncompetitive inhibition respectively against AChE. GMMG possesses neuroprotective compounds such as cynerine A, graveolinine, militarinone A, eplerenone and curumenol. These findings showed a promising insight of G. manilaensis to be served as a nutraceutical for neuronal health care in the future.

• ALGAE
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2023

Obesity-induced inflammation is crucial in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigated the effects of the Gracilaria chorda (GC) on lipid accumulation and obesity-induced inflammatory changes or glucose homeostasis in cell models (3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages). Samples of GC were extracted using solvents (water, methanol, and ethanol) and subcritical water (SW) at different temperatures (90, 150, and 210℃). The total phenolic content of GCSW extract at 210℃ (GCSW210) showed the highest content compared to others, and GCSW210 highly inhibited lipid accumulation and significantly reduced gene expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and fatty acid synthase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, GCSW210 effectively downregulated the pro-inflammatory cytokine regulator pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages, including mitogen-activated protein kinase, signal transducers and activators of transcription and nuclear factor-κB. In co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages, GCSW210 significantly reduced nitric oxide production and interleukin-6 levels, and improved glucose uptake with dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that GCSW210 improves glucose metabolism by attenuating obesity-induced inflammation in adipocytes, which may be used as a possible treatment option for managing obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.3 s.76
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• pp.400-408
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• 2006

Nutritional components of 4 kinds of red seaweeds, Meristotheca papulosa, Chondrus ocellatus, Gracilaria verrucosa, Gigartina tenella, were investigated to elucidate their functionality. Antioxidant activity and nitrite scavenging activity were analyzed from 70% ethanol extracted from these red seaweeds. Large difference in ash contents was found to exhibit among all samples analyzed in this study; $9.8{\pm}0.2g/100g$ for Gracilaria verrucosa and Gigartina tenella for $17.8{\pm}0.6g/100g$. While its crude fiber content was almost the same as those in other sample within a range between $2.0{\pm}0.4g/100g$ and $6.0{\pm}0.7g/100g$. Phenolic compounds content of Gracilaria verrucosa was also the highest as $78.4{\pm}1.0mg/g$, while the total flavonoids contents of Chondrus ocellatus and Gracilaria verrucosa were $14.9{\pm}0.5mg/g$ and $13.9{\pm}0.8mg/g$, respectively. These amounts were two folds higher than Meristotheca papulosa and Gigartina tenella. The total content of minerals was the highest in Meristotheca papulosa(12,107.7 mg/kg). The amount of glutamic acid was relatively high despite of small variation in measured levels of composition amino acid ($49.1{\sim}125.6mg/g$) for most samples investigated. SOD-like ability was significantly increased with increasing sample concentration, but its activity was lower. Gigartina tenella with highest electron donation ability exhibited increases in activity as $53.96{\pm}0.98%$ in concentration of 250 ${\mu}g/ml$ and $70.52{\pm}1.09%$ in 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In case of concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, particularly, the level of hydroxy radical scavenging activity were $57.87{\pm}1.70{\sim}62.07{\pm}0.87%$ which was significantly higher activity than ascorbic acid and BHT. Nitrite scavenging activity was the highest in Gracilaria verrucosa. Its activity was also increased from $24.04{\pm}1.9{\sim}27.52{\pm}0.82%$ in $100{\sim}500{\mu}g/ml$ concentration tp $34.81{\pm}1.36%$ in concentration of 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1130-1136
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of acid extract of Gracilaria verrucosa (AEG) on RC-58T/h/SA#4 primary human prostate cancer cells. AEG significantly decreased the cell viability of prostate cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. AEG also showed relatively low cytotoxicity on normal cell (RWPE-1). The morphology of prostate cancer cells treated with AEG was distorted to shrunken cell masses. In addition, it was revealed that AEG induced cell death as evidenced by increased formation of apoptotic body and nuclear condensation. Furthermore, AEG clearly modulated the down regulation of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic)/Bax (pro-apoptotic) family and activated caspase-3 as an effector caspase in a dose-dependent manner. AEG inhibited cell proliferation induced by environmental hormones as a bisphenol A in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that AEG act as anti-proliferative effects as a potential therapeutic agent on primary human prostate cancer cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.88-94
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• 2021

The seaweed, Gracilaria verrucosa (red seaweed) was fermented to produce bioethanol. Optimal thermal acid hydrolysis conditions were determined as 200 mM H₂SO₄ and 10% (w/v) seaweed slurry at 130℃ for 60 min yielding 47.5% of pretreatment efficiency (E_p). After the thermal acid hydrolysis, enzymatic saccharification was carried out with 16 U/ml Viscozyme L, Cellic CTec2 or mixture of Viscozyme L and Cellic CTec2 to G. verrucosa hydrolysates. Enzymatic saccharifications with Viscozyme, Cellic CTec2 or mixture of those yielded 7.3 g/l glucose with efficiency of saccharification, E_s = 34.9%, 11.6 g/l glucose with E_s = 64.4% and the mixture of those 9.6 g/l glucose with E_s = 56.6%, respectively. Therefore, based on the E_s value, Cellic CTec2 was selected for the optimal enzyme for enzymatic saccharification of G. verrucosa hydrolysate. The ethanol productions with non-adapted S. cerevisiae CEN-PK2 (wild type) and S. cerevisiae CEN-PK2 with adaptive evolution to galactose produced 8.5 g/l ethanol with Y_EtOH = 0.19 and 21.5 g/l ethanol with Y_EtOH = 0.50 at 144 h, respectively. From these results, the ethanol production by S. cerevisiae with adaptive evolution showed high concentration of ethanol production using G. verrucosa as a substrate.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.203-212
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• 2018

Zoospore release and germling growth of endophytic Ulvella ramosa were examined under various temperatures (10, 15, 20, $25^{\circ}C$) ${\times}$ irradiances (20, 60, $100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$). Additional growth experiments were performed at different salinities (15, 25, 35, 45 psu) and daylengths (8, 12, 16 h). Growth of host Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Ohmi) Papenfuss was estimated under combinations of temperatures (15, 20, 25, $30^{\circ}C$) and irradiances (20, 60, $100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$). Endophyte effects on the host growth were tested in the two temperatures (20, $30^{\circ}C$) and irradiances (60, $100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$). Zoospore release was maximal at $20^{\circ}C$ and $20{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$, and germlings grew best under $20^{\circ}C$ and $60{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$. No salinity effect on the growth of endophytes was found but endophyte growth was maximal under the daylength of 12 h. G. vermiculophylla grew better at higher irradiances but no growth differences were found between temperatures of $15-30^{\circ}C$. The growth of host species was significantly inhibited by endophytes under $20^{\circ}C$ and $60{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$, but host G. vermiculophylla grew well in the endophyte inactive culture conditions of $30^{\circ}C$ and $100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$. In conclusion, endophyte effects on the production of host G. vermiculophylla could be minimized by controlling cultivation depth and harvest period to inhibit endophyte activity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2012

We performed qualitative and quantitative surveys on the distribution of seaweed species and dominant species with their standing crop and temporal variations in Hauido tidal flats in order to understand the role of seaweeds in a coastal wetland ecological system that may be used for conservation and management of coastal wetland ecological system. A total of 9 species were found at 7 stations of the study area; 4 species of Chlorophyta (Ulva compressa, U. prolifera, U. pertusa and Ulothrix flacca), 3 species of Phaeophyta (Ectocarpus arctus, Scytosiphon lomentaria and Myelophycus simplex) and 2 species of Rhodophyta (Gracilaria verrucosa and Caulacanthus okamurae). Major dominant species were U. compressa, U. prolifera and U. pertusa (Chlorophyta), Scytosiphon lomentaria (Phaeophyta) and Gracilaria verrucosa (Rhodophyta). Standing crops of U. compressa and U. prolifera were $2.94{\sim}45.25g{\cdot}dw{\cdot}m^{-2}$ and $6.19{\sim}91.9g{\cdot}dw{\cdot}m^{-2}$, respectively, in spring. Seaweed habitat was characterized by textural differences that the percentage of coarse particles and organic material were a little higher in seaweed flourishing areas than in seaweed barren areas.

• ALGAE
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.289-297
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• 2011

Ceramium riosmenae sp. nov. is described from Baja California Sur, Mexico based on morphological and molecular data. The new species is characterized by erect thalli only, penetrating rhizoids on Gracilaria, 7-8 periaxial cells, five cortical initials per periaxial cell, complete cortication throughout, an average of 11-12 segments between branching points, rare adventitious branchlets, and cruciate tetrasporangia. Although C. riosmenae sp. nov. is similar to C. interruptum, C. sinicola, and C. codicola reported from Baja California Sur, Mexico in size and habit, it differs from these species in the number of cortical initials, habit, degree of cortication, host, and the shape of rhizoidal tips. C. riosmenae is separated from C. interruptum with interrupted cortication and four cortical initials from C. sinicola with spins near the apex and incomplete cortication near the base and from C. codicola with bulbous rhizoids on Codium. Our rbcL sequences reveal sufficient sequence divergence (2.4-3.9%) between C. riosmenae and C. interruptum, C. sinicola, and C. codicola to warrant species recognition and to separate C. riosmenae from these species on a phylogenetic tree.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2009

The species composition and distributional patterns in marine benthic algae at intertidal zone in Masan Bay were investigated seasonally throughout 2007. A total of 42 species, 5 Chlorophyta 8 Phaeophyta and 29 Rhodophyta were recorded, and dominant species were Enteromorpha linza, Ulva pertusa, Sargassum thunbergii, Gelidium amansii, G. divaricatum, Corallina pilulifera, Gracilaria textorii, and Polysiphonia morrowii during study periods. Especially the vertical distribution of dominant algal species was remarkable: U. pertusa and G. divaricatum were dominated in the upper part, E. intestinalis, E. linza, S. thunbergii and G. divaricatum were in the middle part, and U. pertusa, Undaria pinnatiffda, S. thunbergii, G. amansii, G. divaricatum and C. pilulifera mainly occurred in the low part of tidal zone. The numbers of species were different with seasons and stations; Higher number of species was 38 species in winter, whereas 28 species were the lowest in fall. The number of species was higher at stations 4 and 6 Mile the lower value was at stations 1 and 2 than other stations. The spatial distributional patterns of marine benthic algal composition at each station in dendrogram and MDS ordination were due to the differences of local topography and physical characteristics such as currents and water movements.