Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Recently, a great deal of interest has developed towards the isolation of bioactive compounds from marine sources due to their numerous health benefits. Furthermore, marine algae are valuable sources of structurally diverse metabolites with scientifically proven therapeutic claims. The cell walls are rich in sulfated polysaccharides such as fucoidans in brown algae, carrageenans in red algae and ulvans in green algae. These sulfated polysaccharides exhibit many beneficial biological activities such as anticoagulant, antiviral, antioxidative, anticancer and immunomodulating activities. They have great potential for further development as products in cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical areas. Although the mechanism of action is still not clear, their biological activities could be mainly attributed to their major secondary metabolites namely; phlorotannins, terpenoids and fucoidans. There was use of comprehensive chromatographic separations and a full analysis of isolates using one or other of the spectroscopic techniques. Antioxidant and cytotoxicity tests were perfomed in details for Ecklonia maxima. Furthermore, structural and electronic features of the phlorotannins were compared in an attempt to provide an explanation for the differences in their radical scavenging properties. In this regard, two main radical scavenging mechanisms, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and electron transfer (ET), were assessed in order to determine the preferred mode of radical scavenging. Fully relaxed geometry optimizations of the neutral and the radical species were performed utilizing DFT/B3LYP and DFT/UB3LYP methods respectively. In further studies, the structural and functional properties of sulfated polysaccharides from the three brown and one red seaweeds were investigated. This was through detailed analysis of chemical composition of crude and purified polysaccharides using PMP - derivatization of hydrolysed sugars, anion exchange, molecular weight determination, ion chromatography , FT-IR, NMR to methylation analysis. The work reports isolation and characterization of compounds from four algae: Ecklonia maxima, phlorotannin derivatives, namely phloroglucinol (22), eckol (23), 7-phloroeckol (24), 2-phloroeckol (25) and a sterol, 24-ethylidine cholesterol (26); Splachinidium rugosum, 24-ethylidine cholesterol ( 26), 1, 3-Dicapryloyl-2-oleoylglycerol (27), E-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexa dec-2-en-1-ol (phytol) (2 8); Macrocystis angustifolia, 24-ethylidine cholesterol (26); a red seaweed Aeodes orbitosa, and E -3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethylhexad ec-2-en-1-ol (28) and 17-(5-Ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7, 8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1 H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol (β-sitosterol) (29). Experimental findings and theoretical predictions of phlorotannins indicated that the radical scavenging activities followed the order 22< 23 < 25 < 24. Theoretical studies further indicated the ET mechanism is more significant than the HAT mechanism due to the high BDE values. Their polysaccharide structures were tentatively shown to have a backbone of (1-3) and (1-4) linkages with sulfate groups at O-2 and O-2, 3 positions. The only red algae studied contained, 2-O-methyl-D-galactose with (1-3) and (1-4)-glycosidic linkages possessing sulfate groups at positions 2 and 6.

Along the shores of the Northern hemisphere Fucus (Phaeophyceae) species are a prominent presence, providing substrate, shelter, and food for many species. Fucus evanescens, a non-indigenous species (NIS) in Sweden, and F. radicans, a recently described species that so far has only been found inside the species poor Baltic Sea, are the focus of this thesis. Interactions with enemies (e.g. predators, herbivores, parasites) have been shown to play a role in the success of NIS. The low consumption of Fucus evanescens by the generalist gastropod Littorina littorea in Sweden was found to depend on high levels of chemical defense in the introduced population, not the failure of the herbivore to recognize F. evanescens as suitable food. A survey of the relative abundance of F. radicans and F. vesiculosus and the most common associated fauna along the Swedish Bothnian Sea coast showed that F. radicans and F. vesiculosus are equally abundant throughout the range of F. radicans. The most common associated fauna were found to be more abundant on F. radicans compared to F. vesiculosus.  In Sweden, where F. radicans had lower levels of defense chemicals than F. vesiculosus, F. radicans was grazed more than F. vesiculosus in bioassays. This could, together with other factors, influence the range of F. radicans. Fucus radicans and F. vesiculosus are closely related, recently separated, and growing sympatrically, therefore, possible reproductive barriers between F. radicans and F. vesiculosus were studied. In Estonia F. radicans and F. vesiculosus reproduces at different times of the year. No such clear reproductive barrier was found between the two species in Sweden where they reproduce at the same time and fertilization success and germling survival were the same for hybrids as for F. vesiculosus. Since the high clonality of F. radicans means that the gentic diversity in F. radicans populations is low I investigated how genetic diversity translates to phenotypic diversity in nine traits. Phlorotannin levels, recovery after desiccation, and recovery after freezing showed inherited variation, while the other six traits showed no variation related to genetic diversity. Phenotypic variation in populations of F. radicans will be higher in populations with higher genetic diversity and this might be beneficial to the community. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Accepted.</p>

The use of alternative feedstock sources to enhance the energy production of anaerobic systems, and thus their economic value, is one of the current research areas in the field of bioenergy production. Marine biomass represents a unique source of organic matter for the optimisation of anaerobic digestion systems and can be regarded as a sustainable alternative to purposely grown energy crops requiring significant amounts of water, fertiliser and land for their cultivation. Seaweeds are of particular interest as they are characterised by high biomass yields and interesting conversion rates. In temperate seas, brown seaweed species generally dominate the flora and their relative abundance on the sublittoral zone of the British coastline make them a substrate of choice for anaerobic digestion. However, little information is available on commercial-scale anaerobic digestion of seaweed for biogas production and the potential factors that could impair its successful conversion. This work was proposed in order to establish the potential and optimise the use of seaweed as an additional source of organic matter for anaerobic digesters. The study also investigated the use of the Anaerobic Digestion Model No.1 (ADM1) as a platform for process simulation. The model original structure is inadequate to accurately represent the anaerobic co-digestion of seaweed and was therefore updated with the addition of specific processes. The study was carried out in three main experimental stages. In a first stage, the effect of seaweed salinity (represented by sodium ions) on anaerobic digestion was investigated using a mesophilic laboratory-scale anaerobic digester. It was found that a rapid increase in sodium ion levels can negatively impact on biogas production and result in the accumulation of volatile fatty acids. The ADM1 does not originally take into account the inhibitory effect of sodium and was therefore modified to include a function representing the effect of sodium ions on the rate of acetate uptake. The extended model was able to reproduce experimental observations and was used to predict the effect of sodium ions in the presence of other process inhibitors. Microbial adaptation to salinity was also investigated during batch assays. It was found that a suitable period of adaptation can significantly reduce the adverse effect of salinity on methanogens. The phenomenon was successfully implemented in the model through the addition of a specific inhibition function and the calibration of kinetic parameters. The second stage of this research focused on the effect and mode of action of phlorotannin (a phenolic compound found exclusively in brown seaweed) on mixed microbial cultures through the monitoring of intracellular material leakage and transmission electron microscopy observations. Results suggested that phlorotannin induces strong extra- and intra-cellular effects on cells exposed to the compound, thus adversely impacting on energy requirements and final methane yields. The effect of phlorotannin was found to be dependent on both the degree of polymerisation of the compound and the morphology of microorganisms. Furthermore, the effect of phlorotannin during the anaerobic co-digestion of brown seaweed (Laminaria digitata) and vegetable residues was also investigated. Experimental results were successfully modelled using an extensively modified version of the ADM1, which introduces an uncompetitive function to the rate of acetate uptake in order to represent the inhibition of methanogenesis by phlorotannin. The model was also updated with a combination module for the simulation of co-digestion processes. The third stage focused on establishing operational guidelines for the anaerobic co-digestion of brown seaweed and non-saline feedstocks. Results suggested that although seaweed can be an alternative organic substrate in anaerobic digestion systems, phlorotannin content might limit its use for commercial-scale application. Whilst this study identified salinity and phlorotannin as key barriers to the use of brown seaweed as a substrate for anaerobic systems, the adaptation of operating conditions to favour microbial adaptation could lead to its effective use in large-scale applications.

En France et Indonésie, Sargassum est une espèce abondante mais elle algue n’a pas encore été exploitée de façon optimale. Sargassum contient de nombreux métabolites primaires ainsi que des composés bioactifs, dont les phlorotannins, ayant une large gamme de propriétés pharmacologiques intéressantes à valoriser. L’hétérogénéité et la complexité de la paroi cellulaire des algues réduisent fortement l’efficacité d’extraction conventionnelle. Cette étude a eu trois principaux objectifs (1) la caractérisation de la composition biochimique de Sargassum et ses variations saisonnières, (2) l'extraction solide-liquide et (3) l'extraction assistée par enzymes des phlorotannins et l’étude de leurs activités biologiques. Dans cette étude, les minéraux de Sargassum représentent d’une valeur importance avec une teneur qui atteint 33% suivi par les protéines avec 24% de la matière sèche. Les sucres ne représentent que 13% de la matière sèche. La composition biochimique de Sargassum, comme pour la plupart des algues, est fortement affectée par les saisons et est liée au cycle de vie de l’algue. La saisonnalité affecte également la production de phlorotannins. L’étude des différents procédés d’extraction montre que les rendements sont plus faibles pour une extraction solide-liquide traditionnelle (5 à 24% de la matière sèche de l'algue) par rapport à l'extraction assistée par enzyme (21 à 38% de la matière sèche de l'algue). L’extraction assistée par enzymes augmente le rendement d’extraction des polyphénols par rapport à l'extraction solide-liquide. Les extraits obtenus par extraction assistée par enzymes présentent une forte activité antiradicalaire. / In France and Indonesia, Sargassum is quite abundant yet this alga has not been optimally exploited. Sargassum contains macro and micro molecules and also bioactive compounds, the most known is phlorotannins, showing a wide range of pharmacological properties. Therefore, it is interesting to further valorize this alga. The heterogeneity and complexity of algal cell wall strongly reduces the extraction efficiency application of conventional extraction. Subjects of interest in this study were to characterize the seasonal variation of Sargassum biochemical composition and to extract phlorotannins using conventional and alternative method, i.e. solid-liquid and enzyme- assisted extraction. In this study, minerals represented a significant value with a content reaching 33% followed by proteins with 24% of algal dry material. In the contrary, sugars showed only 13% of algal dry material. Further, the biochemical composition of Sargassum, like most algae, was highly affected by the seasons and related to Sargassum life cycle. In terms of polyphenol compounds in Sargassum, season might be the most influential factor but suitable methods of extraction determine the efficiency to collect these compounds from Sargassum. Solid-liquid extraction, in certain extent, yielded lower (ranging from 5 to 24% of dry algal material) than the enzyme-assisted extraction (ranging from 21 to 38% of dry algal material). Concerning the polyphenol content of Sargassum extracted with these two methods, enzyme-assisted extraction, in certain extent, had higher content than the solid-liquid extraction. Enzymatic extracts showed a strong antiradical activity.

Les phlorotannins, polymères du phloroglucinol, sont des composés phénoliques (CP) uniquement retrouvés chez les algues brunes (Phéophycées). Ces métabolites présentant des activités anti-oxydantes, interviendraient dans la formation de la paroi, mais à ce jour leur voie de biosynthèse reste non élucidée. L'annotation du génome de l'algue brune Ectocarpus, a permis d'identifier des gènes homologues codant pour des enzymes de la biosynthèse des CP chez les plantes terrestres. Une polyketide synthase de type III (PKSIII), a été caractérisée: elle synthétise le phloroglucinol. La recherche d'autres cibles a été poursuivie sur des gènes codant pour des chalcone-isomérases-like (CHIL), ainsi que pour des phénol-sulfotransférases homologues d'enzymes de sulfatation des flavonoïdes. Les CHIL se sont révélées être des fatty acid binding protein (FAP) impliquées dans le métabolisme des acides gras. L'intérêt pour cette nouvelle famille a justifié leur caractérisation biochimique puis fonctionnelle par complémentation de mutants FAP d'Arabidopsis thaliana. L'élucidation progressive des voies de biosynthèse des phlorotannins a servi de base pour étudier les mécanismes de régulation de ce métabolisme chez les Phaeophycées. En combinant des approches intégrées d'expression de gènes cibles, de dosages et de profilages de phlorotannins solubles, nous avons pu montrer que ces composés assurent une protection constitutive chez Fucus vesiculosus en réponse aux UV-B, et que leur métabolisme serait induit très précocement au cours de l'herbivorie. Le développement d'outils moléculaires spécifiques de ces voies métaboliques, ouvre de nouvelles perspectives en écophysiologie et en écologie. / Phlorotannins are polymers of phloroglucinol that are specific phenolic compounds of brown algae (Phaeophyceae). These metabolites present antioxidant activities and are potentially involved in the formation of cell-walls but their biosynthetic pathway is currently uncharacterized. The genome annotation of the brown algae Ectocarpus provided some information about conserved genes which are implicated in the synthesis of phenolics in terrestrial plants. One polyketide synthase of type III (PKSIII) has been successfully characterized: it produces phloroglucinol. The search for other targets has been pursued in brown algae focusing mainly on chalcone isomerase-like (CHI-like) genes, as well as on phenol-sulfotransferases, which are implicated in the sulfation of flavonoids. The characterization of CHIL has revealed their implication in fatty acid binding (FAP). However, the level of interest for this new family has led to their biochemical characterization and to functional studies by complementation of gene in the Arabidopsis thaliana FAP mutant. The progressive elucidation of the phlorotannin biosynthesis pathway has been used in order to discover mechanisms which regulate this metabolism in brown algae. By combining integrated approaches of gene expression profiling with the quantification and profiling of soluble phlorotannins, we have shown that these metabolites ensure the constitutive protection in Fucus vesiculosus against UV-B radiation and could also be induced as a very early response to grazing. The development of specific molecular tools for this metabolic pathway opens some news perspectives in ecophysiological and ecological studies.

<p>Biological invasions are an important issue of global change and an increased understanding of invasion processes is of crucial importance for both conservation managers and international trade. In this thesis, I have studied the invasion of the brown seaweed <i>Fucus evanescens</i>, to investigate the fate and effect of a perennial, habitat-forming seaweed introduced to a coastal ecosystem. A long-term study of the spread of <i>F. evanescens</i> in Öresund (southern Sweden) showed that the species was able to expand its range quickly during the first 20 years after the introduction, but that the expansion has been slow during the subsequent 30 years. Both in Öresund and in Skagerrak, the species is largely restricted to sites where native fucoids are scarce. Laboratory experiments showed that the restricted spread of <i>F. evanescens</i> cannot be explained by the investigated abiotic factors (wave exposure and salinity), although salinity restricts the species from spreading into the Baltic Sea. Neither did I find evidence for that herbivores or epibiota provide biotic resistance to the invader. On the contrary, <i>F. evanescens</i> was less consumed by native herbivores, both compared to the native fucoids and to <i>F. evanescens</i> populations in its native range, and little overgrown by epiphytes. Instead, the restricted spread may be due to competition from native seaweeds, probably by pre-occupation of space, and the establishment has probably been facilitated by disturbance. </p><p>The studies provided little support for a general enemy release in introduced seaweeds. The low herbivore consumption of <i>F. evanescens</i> in Sweden could not be explained by release from specialist herbivores. Instead, high levels of chemical anti-herbivore defence metabolites (phlorotannins) could explain the pattern of herbivore preference for different fucoids. Likewise, the low epibiotic colonisation of <i>F. evanescens </i>plants could be explained by high resistance to epibiotic survival. This shows that colonisation of invading seaweeds by native herbivores and epibionts depends on properties of the invading species. The large differences between fucoid species in their quality as food and habitat for epibionts and herbivores imply that invasions of such habitat-forming species may have a considerable effect on a number of other species in shallow coastal areas. However, since <i>F. evanescens</i> did not exclude other fucoids in its new range, its effect on the recipient biota is probably small.</p>

Biological invasions are an important issue of global change and an increased understanding of invasion processes is of crucial importance for both conservation managers and international trade. In this thesis, I have studied the invasion of the brown seaweed Fucus evanescens, to investigate the fate and effect of a perennial, habitat-forming seaweed introduced to a coastal ecosystem. A long-term study of the spread of F. evanescens in Öresund (southern Sweden) showed that the species was able to expand its range quickly during the first 20 years after the introduction, but that the expansion has been slow during the subsequent 30 years. Both in Öresund and in Skagerrak, the species is largely restricted to sites where native fucoids are scarce. Laboratory experiments showed that the restricted spread of F. evanescens cannot be explained by the investigated abiotic factors (wave exposure and salinity), although salinity restricts the species from spreading into the Baltic Sea. Neither did I find evidence for that herbivores or epibiota provide biotic resistance to the invader. On the contrary, F. evanescens was less consumed by native herbivores, both compared to the native fucoids and to F. evanescens populations in its native range, and little overgrown by epiphytes. Instead, the restricted spread may be due to competition from native seaweeds, probably by pre-occupation of space, and the establishment has probably been facilitated by disturbance. The studies provided little support for a general enemy release in introduced seaweeds. The low herbivore consumption of F. evanescens in Sweden could not be explained by release from specialist herbivores. Instead, high levels of chemical anti-herbivore defence metabolites (phlorotannins) could explain the pattern of herbivore preference for different fucoids. Likewise, the low epibiotic colonisation of F. evanescens plants could be explained by high resistance to epibiotic survival. This shows that colonisation of invading seaweeds by native herbivores and epibionts depends on properties of the invading species. The large differences between fucoid species in their quality as food and habitat for epibionts and herbivores imply that invasions of such habitat-forming species may have a considerable effect on a number of other species in shallow coastal areas. However, since F. evanescens did not exclude other fucoids in its new range, its effect on the recipient biota is probably small.

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