Thesis (Ph. D.) in Ecology and Environmental Science--University of Maine, 2001. / Includes vita. Advisory Committee: Robert L. Vadas, Prof. of Botany, Oceanography, and Zoology, Advisor; William A. Halteman, Assoc. Prof. of Mathematics; Ian R. Davison, Prof. of Marine Sciences; W. Herbert Wilson, Assoc. Prof. of Biology, Colby College; Brian F. Beal, Assoc. Prof. of Marine Ecology, University of Maine at Machias; Seth Tyler, Prof. of Zoology. Bibliography: leaves 199-213.

Thesis (M.S.) in Zoology--University of Maine, 2002. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-57).

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-91). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-91). Also available on the Internet.

Effects of application of Bioalginate series preparations (hydrolysis products from Ascophyllum nodosum kelp) to monitored parameters of chick broilers and their meet was experimentally verified. The preparation testing is carried out in two stages. The Biopolym Granulát preparation was tested in the first stage. The preparation was applied by mixing into granulated feeding mixture during its production process. Final results of this stage did not show positive effects of the preparation in question by this form of application. The second testing stage focused to testing of the Biopolym FZT preparation supplied to animals by charging into feeding water. This form of application revealed positive effect of the preparation to decrease of the ammoniac content in the stable atmosphere and positive impact to the health condition of stabled animals. Lower contend of nitrogenous substances on original meat dry mass has been statistically documented. Higher content of nitrogenous-free extractive substances in original meat dry mass has been evidenced.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:18:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AntonioFMJ_TESE.pdf: 1801094 bytes, checksum: 382206c83927870ac0eb921d80a6f72d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-10-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective was to evaluate the application of commercial compost Acadian®, based seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) in the productive development and fruit quality of melon and watermelon. The study was divided into two stages and three experiments were carried out similarly for each culture. Experiment I: melon growth under different doses of Acadian® and seed treatment; Experiment II: Melon Growth Acadian® under different application ranges and seed treatments; Experiment III: Production and quality of melon under use of Acadian®. The respective experiments I, II and III were similarly developed for watermelon crop. In the experiments I and II used a completely randomized design in factorial schemes 2x6 and 2x4 respectively, with five repetitions each. The experiment III, in turn, used a randomized block design with 6 treatments and 4 repetitions. In the first trial treatments consisted of the combination of two seed treatments [soaking in drinking water and Acadian®], applying six different doses (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mL L-1). In the second trial treatments consisted of the combination of two seed treatments [soaking in drinking water and Acadian®] in four application periods (0, 7, 10 and 14 days), in a dose of 3 mL L-1. In the experiment III treatments consisted of applying a dose of 3 mL L-1, administered in whole or in divided doses (T1: Producer Standard, T2: 2 16 30 (d.a.t.)3; (1 1 1 mL L-1); T3: 2 30 (d.a.t.); (1,5 1,5 mL L-1); T4: 16 30 44 (d.a.t.); (1 1 1 mL L-1); T5: 16 30 (d.a.t.); (1,5 1,5 mL L-1) e T6: 2 (d.a.t.); (3 mL L-1)). Applications via fertigation, 100 mL of the solution prepared by the amount used for each experimental unit. Doses of 3 and 4 mL L-1 product, provided greater increase in the observed variables for both melon and watermelon for both, in turn, had the equivalence of average values of the variables. The watermelon and melon plants referred to applications in intervals of 10 and 14 days showed superior to those that received weekly applications, regardless of seed treatment. Since the product economy, and therefore a reduction in operating costs of production, it allows suggest the use of the lowest dose of product in the longer period, 3 mL L-1 every 14 days for both cultures. The application of Acadian® promoted significant differences in physicochemical parameters evaluated for the two cultures, being observed a distinct behavior among different fractioning the dose. Soluble solids and titratable acidity were within the minimum and maximum limit for commercialization of melon and watermelon / O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência da aplicação do composto comercial Acadian®, à base da alga Ascophyllum nodosum (L.), no desenvolvimento produtivo e qualidade de frutos de melão e melancia. O estudo foi dividido em duas etapas, e três experimentos foram desenvolvidos para cada cultura de forma igual. Experimento I: Crescimento de melão sob diferentes doses de Acadian® e tratamento de sementes; Experimento II: Crescimento de melão sob diferentes intervalos de aplicação de Acadian® e tratamentos de sementes; Experimento III: Produção e qualidade de melão sob utilização do Acadian®. Os respectivos experimentos I, II e III foram desenvolvidos da mesma forma para a cultura da melancia. Nos experimentos I e II utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquemas fatorial 2x6 e 2x4, respectivamente, com cinco repetições cada. O experimento III, por sua vez, utilizou um delineamento em blocos casualizados com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições. No experimento I os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de dois tratamentos de sementes [embebição em água potável e Acadian®], com aplicação de seis diferentes doses (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 mL L-1). No experimento II os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de dois tratamentos de sementes [embebição em água potável e Acadian®], em quatro períodos de aplicação (0, 7, 10 e 14 dias), sob uma dose de 3mL L-1. No experimento III os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação de uma dose de 3mL L-1, administrada na forma integral ou fracionada (T1: Padrão do produtor; T2: 2 16 30 (d.a.t.)3; (1 1 1 mL L-1); T3: 2 30 (d.a.t.); (1,5 1,5 mL L-1); T4: 16 30 44 (d.a.t.); (1 1 1 mL L-1); T5: 16 30 (d.a.t.); (1,5 1,5 mL L-1) e T6: 2 (d.a.t.); (3 mL L-1)). As aplicações via fertirrigação, sendo 100 mL da solução preparada a quantidade utilizada por cada unidade experimental. As doses de 3 e 4 mL L-1 do produto, promoveram maiores incrementos nas variáveis observadas, tanto para o melão como para a melancia, ambas, por sua vez, apresentaram equivalência nos valores médios das variáveis. As plantas de melão e melancia submetidas a aplicações em intervalos de 10 e 14 dias mostraram-se superiores as que receberam aplicações semanais, independentemente do tratamento de sementes. Visto a economia do produto e por conseguinte a diminuição nos custos operacionais da produção, permite-se sugerir a utilização da menor dose do produto no maior período, 3 mL L-1 a cada 14 dias, para ambas as culturas. A aplicação do Acadian® promoveu diferenças significativas nas variáveis físico-químicas avaliadas para as duas culturas, sendo observado um comportamento distinto entre os diferentes fracionamentos da dose. Os teores de sólidos solúveis e acidez titulável ficaram dentro do limite mínimo e máximo estabelecido para comercialização do melão e da melancia

An alkaline extract of the brown seaweed, Ascophyllum nodosum (ANE) increases plant growth and imparts resistance against biotic stresses. However, little is known of the effects of ANE on insects. Myzus persicae, green peach aphid (GPA), and Arabidopsis model were used to determine whether application of ANE confers protection from GPA infestation. GPA colonization increased in ANE treated plants, associated with improved biomass. However, ANE treated plants exhibited less cell death and also showed a greater ability to recover from GPA injury. Lower expression of SAG13, SAG21 and CHL1 and a higher expression of ARR5 was observed in ANE treated plants. Taken together, gene expression along with lower cell death suggests ANE may delay senescence in Arabidopsis. Delayed senescence in Arabidopsis following ANE treatment may be a result of increased cytokinin activity. Increased GPA numbers could be, at least in part, due to delayed senescence in Arabidopsis following ANE treatment.

Fucus vesiculosus et Ascophyllum nodosum sont des algues brunes comestibles et abondantes au Québec. Cependant, elles ont été négligées en raison de leur valeur potentielle inconnue et de la période de récolte limitée. Afin de valider leur utilité, la composition chimique de ces algues et l’activité inhibitrice des enzymes digestives de l'amidon par les fucoïdanes extraits de ces deux espèces d'algues ont été étudiés en fonction de la saison. Les composants principaux des algues sont dans l’ordre: les polysaccharides> minéraux> protéines> fucoïdane> lipides> > composés phénoliques, et leur quantité est très variable selon la période de récolte. F. vesiculosus contenait une plus grande quantité de protéines et de minéraux, alors que A. nodosum avait relativement plus de polysaccharides. Par conséquent, F. vesiculosus serait plus avantageux comme source d’éléments nutritifs. L’algue A. nodosum récoltée en Juillet a permis d’obtenir le fucoïdane ayant la pureté la plus élevée et le meilleur rendement. Les fucoïdanes extraits des deux espèces d’algues ont inhibé l’activité de l’α-glucosidase alors que seul celui extrait d’A. nodosum a pu, de plus, inhiber l’α-amylase. Le fucoïdane d’A. nodosum était un inhibiteur plus puissant que le fucoïdane de F. vesiculosus pour l’α-glucosidase avec des IC50 variant de 0,013 ~ 0,047 mg/ml, tout comme pour l’α-amylase avec des IC50 de 0,12 ~ 4,62 mg/mL selon le mois. Pour comprendre les facteurs clés expliquant les différences d’inhibition d’α-amylase entre les fucoïdane d’A. nodosum et F. vesiculosus, certaines caractéristiques structurales ont été analysées et comparées à du galactofucoidane qui a servi de contrôle. A partir des résultats obtenus, il est confirmé que la masse moléculaire plus faible (637 kDa) du fucoïdane d’A. nodosum et la présence de sulfates sont liées à son activité inhibitrice. Nous avons émis l’hypothèse que les faibles masses moléculaires permettent d’exposer facilement les groupements sulfate qui peuvent agir sur l’α-amylase par interaction électrostatique, et donc d'inhiber son activité. En conclusion, les algues brunes du Québec présentent un potentiel d’utilisation important pour leur valeur nutritionnelle et leurs composés bioactifs. Le fucoïdane a montré une activité d'inhibition des enzymes digestives de l'amidon (α-amylase et α-glucosidase) et cette activité est différente selon les espèces d'algues et la période de récolte. Une meilleure compréhension du mécanisme inhibiteur par le fucoïdane peut être utile afin de développer un ingrédient fonctionnel permettant de prévenir le diabète de Type-2. / Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum are edible brown seaweed and abundantly available in Quebec. However, they have been neglected because of their unknown value and technical limitation in harvest. In order to validate their usefulness, chemical composition in seaweeds and starch digestive enzyme inhibition activity by fucoidan extracted from two seaweed species were investigated with different seasons. The major components in both seaweeds were in order: polysaccharide > minerals > protein > fucoidan > lipid > phenol, and their quantity was quite variable depending on harvesting timing. F. vesiculosus contained larger amount of proteins and minerals, while A. nodosum had relatively more polysaccharides. Therefore, F. vesiculosus are advantageous as a nutritional source. Especially, from A. nodosum harvested in July, a fucoidan having higher purity and better yield was obtained. Fucoidans from two seaweeds species inhibited α-glucosidase activity while, only fucoidan from A. nodosum could inhibit α-amylase activity. A. nodosum fucoidan was a more potent inhibitor than F. vesiculosus fucoidan for α-glucosidase with IC50 of 0.013 ~ 0.047 mg/mL, and for α-amylase with IC50 of 0.12 ~ 4.62 mg/mL depending on harvest month. To understand the key factors explaining the difference in α-amylase inhibition between A. nodosum fucoidan and F. vesiculosus fucoidan, structural characteristic was analyzed and compared with galactofucoidan as a control. From the obtained results, it is confirmed that smaller molecular weight (637 kDa) of A. nodosum fucoidan and the presence of sulfates are related to its inhibitory activity. It is proposed that small molecular weight permits to expose easily sulfate groups for interaction with α-amylase throughout electrostatic interactions, and therefore inhibiting its activity. In conclusion, brown seaweeds in Quebec have a considerable importance for nutrition and bioactive products. Fucoidan shows the inhibition activity for starch digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and its activity is different depending on seaweed species and harvesting period. Further understanding of the inhibitory mechanism by fucoidan can be useful to develop a functional ingredient to help preventing for Type-2 diabetes.

In order to develop an environmentally friendly seaweed extract treatment which will benefit both pre- and post-harvest qualities of vegetables, the effects of pre-harvest application of the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum extracts on the nutritional quality and post-harvest storability of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) was investigated. Plants treated with A. nodosum extracts accumulated higher concentrations of iron, potassium, total soluble protein, and total phenolics as compared to untreated controls. 1H NMR and LC-MS analysis revealed a roughly 50% enhanced accumulation of the 9 flavonoids identified, which is partially confirmed by the elevated chalcone isomerase activity. A. nodosum extract treatment caused an increase in transcription of the genes related to plant growth, osmolyte accumulation, and antioxidative activities. Post-harvest analysis revealed that A. nodosum extract treatment caused an enhanced storability of spinach leaves in terms of visual quality, weight loss, and senescence. Lipid peroxidation and ascorbate content were correlated with visual quality during storage. Animal experiments using the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode model revealed that spinach extracts prolonged the life span of C. elegans, and A. nodosum extract-enhanced polyphenols exerted improved beneficial effects in C. elegans against oxidative and heat stresses. Taken together, the results suggest that A. nodosum extracts enhance both pre- and post-harvest quality of spinach through stimulation of flavonoid pathways, thus leading to accumulation of flavonoids and promotion of anti-radical capacity in spinach leaves, which may protect the plant tissue against reactive oxygen species and subsequent decay. Furthermore, the increased flavonoid content in spinach exerted beneficial effects in C. elegans against oxidative and heat stresses via different mechanisms.