• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.203-215
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• 2014

As global warming continues over the coming century, marine organisms will experience a warmer, more acidic ocean. Although these stressors may behave antagonistically or synergistically and will impact organisms both directly (i.e., physiologically) and indirectly (i.e., through altered species interactions), few studies have examined the complexities of these effects in combination. To address these uncertainties, we examined the independent and combined effects of elevated temperature and $pCO_2$ on the physiology of the adult sporophyte stage of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, and the grazing of the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. While elevating $pCO_2$ alone had no effect on M. pyrifera growth or photosynthetic carbon uptake, elevating temperature alone resulted in a significant reduction in both. However, when M. pyrifera was grown under elevated temperature and $pCO_2$ together, growth and photosynthetic carbon uptake significantly increased relative to ambient conditions, suggesting an interaction of these factors on photosynthetic physiology. S. purpuratus held under future conditions generally exhibited reduced growth, and smaller gonads than urchins held under present-day conditions. However, urchins fed kelp grown under future conditions showed higher growth rates, partially ameliorating this effect. Feeding rates were variable over the course of the experiment, with only the first feeding rate experiment showing significantly lower rates for urchins held under future conditions. Together, these data suggest that M. pyrifera may benefit physiologically from a warmer, more acidic (i.e., higher $pCO_2$) ocean while S. purpuratus will likely be impacted negatively. Given that kelp-urchin interactions can be important to kelp forest structure, changes to either of these populations may have serious consequences for many coastal environments.

• ALGAE
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2015

The marine sand-dwelling dinoflagellate Polykrikos lebourae possesses obvious gold-brown pigmented plastids as well as taeniocyst-nematocyst complex structures. Despite of the presence of the visible plastids, previous attempts to establish this species in culture all failed and thus the unavailability of cultures of this species has posed a major obstacle to further detailed exploration of ecophysiology of the dinoflagellate. Here, we isolated P. lebourae from sandy sediment of an intertidal flat on Korean western coast, successfully established it in culture, and have been maintaining the stock culture over the past 3 years. Using this stock culture, we explored phagotrophy and potential prey resources of P. lebourae, growth and grazing responses of P. lebourae to different prey organisms, the effect of prey concentration on growth and grazing rates and gross growth efficiency (GGE) of P. lebourae when fed three different prey organisms, and the growth kinetics of P. lebourae under different light regimes. P. lebourae captured prey cells using a tow filament and then phagocytized them through the posterior end. The dinoflagellate was capable of ingesting a broad range of prey species varying in size, but not all prey species tested in this study supported its sustained growth. GGE of P. lebourae was extremely high at low prey concentration and moderate or low at high prey concentrations, indicating that P. lebourae grows heterotrophically at high prey concentrations but its growth seems to be more dependent on a certain growth factor or photosynthesis of plastids derived from the prey. In the presence of prey in excess, P. lebourae grew well at moderate light intensity of $40{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$, but did not grow at dim and high (10 or $120{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$) light intensities. Our results suggest that the benthic dinoflagellate P. lebourae is an obligate mixotroph, requiring both prey and light for sustained growth and survival.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.262-277
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• 2018

We seasonally examined marine macroalgal community structures and ocean environmental characteristics in subtidal zones at five sites on and around Jeju Island, Korea, from February 2013 to November 2015. A total of 186 macroalgal species were identified, including 18 green, 33 brown, and 135 red algae. During the study period, the number of species was highest at Gapado Island (125 species) followed by Bukchon (123 species), Sagye (122 species), Sinheung (122 species) and Sinchang (97 species). Ecklonia cava, Peyssonnelia caulifera, Synarthrophyton chejuense, Corallina aberrans and Corallina crassisima occurred at all study sites and in all seasons. The average annual biomass of seaweed was $1,125.10g\;wet\;wt./m^2$ and ranged from $899.77g/m^2$ at Sinheung to $1,452.00g/m^2$ at Gapado. A brown alga E. cava was the most dominant species, accounting for 49.84% ($560.78g/m^2$) of the total seaweed biomass. Subdominant species were C. aberrans and C. crassissima, comprising 6.83% ($76.79g/m^2$) and 5.98% ($67.28g/m^2$) of total biomass, respectively. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct groups: the Sagye/Sinheung group (group A), the Bukchon/Sinchang group (group B), and the Gapado group (group C), indicating significantdifferences in macroalgal communities between sites.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1411-1416
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• 2009

Several adsorbents were tried to remove the selenium ions from industrial wastewater and the following ascending order of the adsorption performance for the selenium at pH 9 was observed: cation exchange resin < chelate resin < zeolite < brown marine algae < granular activated carbon < anion exchange resin. Initial concentration of selenium(146 mg/L) in industrial wastewater was reduced to 63 mg/L of selenium at pH 9 by neutralization process. The maximum uptake of Se calculated from the Langmuir isotherm with anion exchange resin was 0.091 mmol/g at pH 10 and that with granular activated carbon was 0.083 mmol/g at pH 6. The affinity coefficients of Se ion towards anion exchange resin and granular activated carbon were 3.263 L/mmol at pH 10 and 0.873 L/mmol at pH 6, respectively. The sorption performance of anion exchange resin at the low concentration of Se, namely, was much better than that of granular activated carbon. The Se ions from industrial wastewater throughout neutralization process and two steps of adsorption using anion exchange resin was removed to 97.7%.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 1997

The biosorption and desorption of Cr, Cu and Al were carried out using brown marine algae Sargassum fluitans biomass, known as the good biosorbent of heavy metals. The content of alginate bound to light metals could be changed by physical and chemical pretreatment. The maximum uptake of Cr, Cu and Al was independent of the alginate content. The maximum uptaker of Al was two times(mole basis) than those of Cu and Cr. The aluminum-alginate complex was found in the sorption solution of raw and protonated biomass. Most of Cu, Al and light metals sorbed in the biomass were eluted at pH 1.1. However, only 5 to 10% of Cr sorbed was eluted at pH 1.1. The stoiceometric ion exchange between Cu and Ca ion was observed on Cu biosorption with Ca-loaded biomass. A part of Cr ion was bound to biomass as Cr(OH)2+ or Cr(OH)2+. Al was also bound to biomass as multi-valence ion and interfered with the desorbed Ca ion. The behavior of raw S. fluitans in ten consecutive sorption-desorption cycles has been investigated in a packed bed flow-through-column during a continuous removal of copper from a 35 mg/L aqueous solution at pH 5. The eluant used was a 1%(w/v) CaCl2/HC solution at pH 3.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.305-311
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• 2014

Dieckol is a polyphenol compound isolated from brown algae that has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activity. We examined the anti-angiogenic effects of dieckol in endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions. Treatment with $CoCl_2$, a hypoxic mimetic agent, increased proliferation, adhesion, migration, and tube formation in HUVECs, as well as vessel sprouting in rat aortic rings, which correlated well with increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha ($HIF1{\alpha}$) and ${\beta}1$-integrin. Dieckol suppressed $CoCl_2$-induced adhesion, migration, and tube formation in HUVECs and vessel sprouting in rat aortic rings. Dieckol treatment decreased $CoCl_2$-induced overexpression of $HIF1{\alpha}$ and its downstream signaling molecules, including ${\beta}1$-integrin/Fak, Akt/eNOS, and p38 MAPK. These results suggest that dieckol is a novel angiogenesis inhibitor and a potential treatment for angiogenesis-dependent diseases in humans, such as malignant tumors.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2014

To develop effective and safe acne vulgaris therapies with a continuing demand for new solutions, we investigated unique efficacy of an antibacterial agent from marine brown alga Eisenia bicyclis in treating acne vulgaris. The methanolic extract of E. bicyclis exhibited potential antibacterial activity against acne-related bacteria. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest antibacterial activity against the bacteria among solvent fractions. Six compounds (1-6), previously isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of E. bicyclis, were evaluated for antibacterial activity against acne-related bacteria. Among them, compound 2 (fucofuroeckol-A [FF]) exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against acne-related bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 32 to $128{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$. Furthermore, FF clearly reversed the high-level erythromycin and lincomycin resistance of Propionibacterium acnes. The MIC values of erythromycin against P. acnes were dramatically reduced from 2,048 to $1.0{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ in combination with MIC of FF ($64{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$). The fractional inhibitory concentration indices of erythromycin and lincomycin were measured from 0.500 to 0.751 in combination with 32 or $64{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ of FF against all tested P. acnes strains, suggesting that FF-erythromycin and FF-lincomycin combinations exert a weak synergistic effect against P. acnes. The results of this study suggest that the compounds derived from E. bicyclis can be a potential source of natural antibacterial agents and a pharmaceutical component against acnerelated bacteria.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.703-712
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• 2023

Angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, is a multistep process regulated by modulators of angiogenesis. It is essential for various physiological processes, such as embryonic development, chronic inflammation, and wound repair. Dysregulation of angiogenesis causes many diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and delayed wound healing. However, the number of effective anti-angiogenic drugs is limited. Recent research has focused on identifying potential drug candidates from natural sources. For example, marine natural products have been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and wound-healing effects. Thus, this study aimed to describe the angiogenesis inhibitory effect of Hizikia fusiforms (brown algae) extract. The hexane extract of H. fusiformis has shown inhibitory effects on in vitro angiogenesis assays, such as cell migration, invasion, and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The hexane extract of H. fusiformis (HFH) inhibited in vivo angiogenesis in a mouse Matrigel gel plug assay. In addition, the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal kinase, and AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 decreased following treatment with H. fusiformis extracts. Our results demonstrated that the hexane extract of H. fusiformis (HFH) inhibits angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2015

To examine the effects of increased $CO_2$ concentration and seawater temperature on the photosynthesis and growth of forest forming Ecklonia cava (Laminariales, Phaeophyta), sporophytic discs and gametophytes were cultured under three $pCO_2$ concentrations (380, 750, 1000 ppm), four temperatures (5, 10, 15, $20^{\circ}C$ for sporophytes; 10, 15, 20, $25^{\circ}C$ for gametophytes), and two irradiance levels (40, $80{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$) for 5 days. Photosynthetic parameter values ($ETR_{max}$, $E_k$, and ${\alpha}$) were generally higher as sporophytic discs were grown under low temperature and increased $CO_2$ concentration at 750 ppm. However, photosynthesis of Ecklonia sporophytes was severely inhibited under a combination of high temperature ($20^{\circ}C$) and 1000 ppm $CO_2$ concentration at the two photon irradiance levels. The growth of gametophytes was maximal at the combination of 380 ppm (present seawater $CO_2$ concentration) and $25^{\circ}C$. Minimal growth of gametophytes occurred at enriched $pCO_2$ concentration levels (750, 1000 ppm) and high temperature of $25^{\circ}C$. The present results imply that climate change which is increasing seawater temperature and $pCO_2$ concentration might diminish Ecklonia cava kelp beds because of a reduction in recruitments caused by the growth inhibition of gametophytes at high $pCO_2$ concentration. In addition, the effects of increased temperature and $pCO_2$ concentration were different between generations - revealing an enhancement in the photosynthesis of sporophytes and a reduction in the growth of gametophytes.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.274-282
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• 2014

We examined seasonal variation in the structure of marine macroalgal communities at five sites around the Byeonsan Peninsula, Korea, from January to October 2011. Sixty eight species were identified, including 11 green, 17 brown and 40 red algae. Species richness was highest at Gyeokpo (51 species) followed by Sambal (47), Gosapo (34), Byeonsan (33), and Habgoo (18). Seaweed biomass ranged from 12.98 to 145.33 g dry $wt/m^2$, with maximum and minimum biomasses at Gyeokpo and Habgoo, respectively. Sargassum thunbergii was the representative alga species occupying 47.89% of the total biomass. The dominant seaweeds were S. thunbergii, Corallina pilulifera, Ulva spp, Gracilaria vermiculophylla, and Carpopeltis affinis. No distinctive vertical distribution of seaweeds was found because S. thunbergii, Ulva spp, and G. vermiculophylla were all distributed from high to low shore. Community indices were as follows: dominance index (DI), 0.44-0.61; richness index (R), 6.27-10.35; evenness index (J'), 0.38-0.59; and diversity index (H'), 1.48-1.71. Gyeokpo had the most biomass and highest species richness, and the lowest percentage of Ulva species. However, species richness declined at Gyeokpo, from 78 to 51 species within 10 years, implying that eutrophication and sedimentation from Mankyeong and Dongjin rivers have reduced the stability of seaweed communities.