• ALGAE
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.261-273
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• 2017

Fine dust (FD) particles have become a major contributor to air pollution causing detrimental effects on the respiratory system and skin. Although some studies have investigated the effects of FD on the respiratory system, their possible effects on the skin remain under-explored. We investigated the FD mediated inflammatory responses in keratinocytes, present in the outer layers of skin tissues and the transfer of inflammatory potential to macrophages. We further evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the polyphenolic derivative, diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (DPHC) isolated from Ishige okamurae against FD-induced inflammation. Size distribution of FD particles was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. FD particles induced the production of cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in HaCaT keratinocytes and the expression of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), $PGE_2$, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Further, we evaluated the inflammatory potential of the culture medium of inflammation-induced HaCaT cells in RAW 264.7 macrophages and observed a marked increase in the expression of NO, iNOS, $PGE_2$, and proinflammatory cytokines. DPHC treatment markedly attenuated the inflammatory responses, indicating its effectiveness in suppressing a broad range of inflammatory responses. It also showed anti-inflammatory potential in in-vivo experiments using FD-stimulated zebrafish embryos by decreasing NO and reactive oxygen species production, while eventing cell death caused by inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.385-392
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• 2016

Seasonal variability in the algal community structure of intertidal zones was examined at six study sites in Marine National Parks, on the western and southern coasts of Korea from March to November 2015. A total of 193 species of algae, comprising 27 green, 40 brown and 126 red algae, were identified. Algal biomass averaged 101.50 g dry wt./m² with a maximal at Tonggae (168.12 g dry wt./m²) and minimum at Haseom (54.49 g dry wt./m²). The dominant seaweeds by biomass were Sargassum thunbergii at five sites (Tonggae, Haseom, Namdongri, Ando amd Sinjeonri), and S. fusiforme at Soando. Community indices measured as follows: dominance index (DI), 0.31–0.69; richness index (R), 7.30–11.43; evenness index (J'), 0.33–0.49; and diversity index (H'), 1.15–1.86. As evaluated using community indices and environmental states, the EEI (Ecological Evaluation Index) of the Marine National Park was “normal”. The present results indicate that seaweed community structures and indices could be used to evaluate the environmental status of coastal ecosystems.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.223-229
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• 2010

Fucoidans, polysaccharides that are composed of fucose, uronic acids, galactose and xylose, are one of the main constituents of brown seaweeds. For the past decade algal fucoidans have been extensively studied due to their biological activities including anticoagulant, antiinflammatory, antitumor, contraceptive and antiviral activities. Even though fucoidan is known as a highly functionality derivative, its industrial applications have been limited because of low inclusion efficiency and high cost of manufacturing. Furthermore the sea-weed smell of fucoidan has been a limiting factor for the application especially in food and cosmetic area. The potential application of various extraction technology and deodorization of sea-weed smell is highly required for a wider application of fucoidan. As an alternative extraction process, enzymatic hydrolysis process or ultra-high pressure treatment has been investigated for the improvement of production yield and bioefficacy of fucoidan. More intensive research on the fucoidan production technology and its application in nutraceutical and cosmoceutical area is needed.

• ALGAE
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.337-347
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• 2017

Silvetia siliquosa is an ecologically and commercially important brown alga that is harvested from its natural habitats, but its population has recently been diminishing along the Korean coast. To develop new techniques for algal population restoration, we tested two newly developed transplantation methods (using polyethylene ropes and natural rock pieces) at two study sites, Gwanmaedo and Yeongsando, on the southwest coast of Korea, from May to November 2014. The transplants on polyethylene ropes showed significantly greater survival, maturity, and growth than those on natural rocks at both study sites. Newly recruited juveniles (<3 cm) of S. siliquosa increased remarkably from May to December near the transplants on polyethylene ropes and natural rocks.Therefore, we suggest that transplantation using polyethylene ropes is more effective than using natural rocks to restore the population of S. siliquosa in Korea.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory degenerative joint disease that is accompanied by irreversible joint cartilage destruction. Recently, the antioxidant effects of Carpomitra costata, which is a type of brown algae, have been reported, but their effects on OA have not been investigated. In this study, the anti-osteoarthritic effect of the ethanol extract of C. costata (EECC) on SW1353 human chondrocytes was studied. Results showed that EECC significantly attenuated the interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide (NO), as well as expressions of cyclo-oxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase. EECC also inhibited the IL-1β-induced expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -3, and -13 in SW1353 chondrocytes, which reduced their extracellular secretion. In addition, the oxidative stress induced by IL-1β was confirmed to be blocked by EECC due to the inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation. Moreover, EECC suppressed IL-1β-mediated translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) from cytosol into the nucleus and the degradation of IκB-α, which indicates that EECC exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. These results are the first to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activities of C. costata extracts in chondrocytes, thus suggesting that this algae extract may be used in the treatment of OA.

• ALGAE
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.317-321
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• 2006

The effects pH and salinity on the brown alga Sargassum fulvellum were investigated in the context of the removal of two major associated animals, Caprella scaura and Gammaropsis utinomi. Optimum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) of S. fulvellum was also examined in the same experimental conditions as an index of stress. Experiments on pH and salinity tolerances of the two animal species indicated that mortality was more than 80% at extremes of pH (2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12) and salinity (0, 3.5, 7, 10, 44 psu) after a 5 min treatment. Lethal time (LT50) from pH 2 to pH 4 was less than 90 sec in C. scaura, and less than 70 sec in G. utinomi. From 0 to 10 psu, LT50 was less than 20 sec in C. scaura and less than 60 sec in G. utinomi. The quantum yield of S. fulvellum was not significantly different from controls within the pH range 4~10, and within the salinity range of 7-40 psu. When exposed to pH and salinity conditions outside these ranges, the effect of these factors on the removal of two animal species was higher, but quantum yield was highly reduced. These results indicate that the optimal conditions for removing the animal species without affecting optimum quantum yield were pH 4-10, and salinities 7-10 psu and 44 psu.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.190.2-190.2
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• 2003

In the course of search for various bioactive compounds from marine algae, we found strong antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of the brown alga G. elliptica. Chromatographic purification [ODS flash, gel-filtration on Sephadex LH-20, HPLC] of the BuOH layer of the methanolic extract afforded two known polyphenolic compounds, 6,6'-bieckol (1) and dieckol (2). Compound 1 showed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activities, free radical scavenging activity on DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydazyl) with IC$\_$50/ values of 91.2, 45.6 and 15.5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$, respectively. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.206.2-206.2
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• 2003

In continuing search for bioactive compounds from Korean marine algae, we found cholinesterase-inhibitory activity in the methanolic extract of brown alga Sargassum sagamianum. After partitioning between CHCl$_3$ and 30% MeOH, the former layer was purified by a series of ODS flash, silica column, gel-filtration on Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC to give two farnesylacetone derivatives. Their structures were identified by comparison with the literature data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities with IC$\sub$50/ values of 65.0∼48.0 ${\mu}$M and 34.0∼23.0 ${\mu}$M, respectively. (omitted)

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 1991

To isolate new antioxidants from twelve edible seaweeds, mixed methanol and chloroform extract of marine algae was fractionated into several subfractions and their antioxidant activities were measured by using AOM and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Especially the aqueous-methanol soluble fractions of brown and red algae showed a considerable antioxidant effect. Their antioxidant activities were stronger than synthetic antioxidants such as BHA, BHT, under the same concentration. Further fractionation of the aqueous-methanol soluble fractions using silica gel column chromatography yielded five subfractions. Among them methanol fraction exhibited high DPPH quenching activities. Also, it was confirmed to be benzene-derivative substances of two compounds by UV, HPLC, GC/MS analysis. Its each molecular weight was about 181, 238. These results suggested the existence of two effective natural antioxidant compounds in three edible marine algae.

• ALGAE
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.109-140
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• 2011

Taylor's (1960) floristic treatment of the benthic marine algae of the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic and Wynne's (2011) "checklist: third revision" serve as benchmarks in a review of changes made in the past half-century period. There has been a great increase in the number of recognized taxa of red, brown and green algae at all taxonomic ranks: from 758 to 1,393 species, an increase of 84%; from 231 to 406 genera, an increase of 75%; and from 63 to 106 families, an increase of 68%. In regard to recognized infraspecific taxa, the increase was less dramatic, from 140 to 185, thus a 32% change in the 50-year period. This review addresses the question: What factors were responsible for this proliferation of taxa that are now recognized in this domain of the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic? The answer is that many reasons contributed to these changes. Foremost among these causes have been the advances in gene-sequencing technologies. Revised phylogenetic relationships have led to many genera being divided into more than one genus, as well as new families and orders being delineated. Numerous examples of cryptic species have been discovered by gene-sequence and DNA-bar coding studies. This trend is depicted by case studies. Examples of genera being divided are Galaxaura, Liagora and Laurencia. Tricleocarpa and Dichotomaria have been segregated from Galaxaura. Trichogloeopsis, Ganonema, Izziella, Yamadaella, and Titanophycus have been segregated from Liagora. Chondrophycus, Osmundea, Palisada, and Yuzurura have been segregated from Laurencia. Examples are given of other genera present in this region of the western Atlantic that have been split up. Many genera have increased in terms of the number of species now assigned to them. Taylor's (1960) treatment recognized only two species in Hypoglossum, whereas Wynne's (2011) checklist contained a total of 9 species of Hypoglossum. Taylor's account included only two species of Botryocladia, but this number had grown to 15 in Wynne's checklist. Examples of new genera and species occurring in the region of the western Atlantic are given, and examples of taxa being newly reported for this domain are provided. An increase in the number of phycologists in Latin and South America, exploration of previously unexplored regions, and the increasing use of SCUBA for collecting and at greater depths have all contributed to the increase in the number of algal taxa that are now recognized as occurring in the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic.