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Seaweed has traditionally been used in Scotland and other countries both as food and for medicinal purposes, which has led to seaweed being investigated for their natural product content. Despite over 30 years of research, the majority of species found in Scotland have yet to have their chemistry examined. Extracts of seaweed were tested for antimicrobial activity against marine bacteria. Extracts of Palmaria palmata, Ulva linza, Chondrus crispus and Pelvetia canaliculata showed no detectable activity, while ethyl acetate extracts of Fucus serratus, Halidrys siliquosa, Osmundea pinnatifida and Polysiphonia fucoides showed activity against at least six of the seven strains. Extracts were screened for radical scavenging activity against ABTS, DPPH and superoxide radicals. At least one extract from each brown seaweed showed radical scavenging of at least 80 % towards ABTS+ with an ethyl acetate extract of P. fucoides and H siliquosa quenching DPPH by at least 90%. Radical scavenging activity appears to be dependent total phenolic content of extract. Extracts were subjected to a series of assays relevant to human health. Ethyl acetate extracts showed high antiparasitic activity against Trypanosoma brucei with a P. fucoides extract showing antibacterial activity toward Staphylococcus aureus. Extracts of H siliquosa and F. serratus showed cytotoxicity to Hela cells with extracts of H siliquosa showing cytotoxicity to LN CAP AS and PC 3 cell lines. An extract of H siliquosa underwent chromatography and by applying assay guided fractionation, several active fractions were identified. These were analysed using NMR and LC/MS and four compounds identified: (2E. 6E. 14E)-1-(l'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-6'-methyl- phenyl)-5, 13-dihydroxy-12-one-3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethylhexadeca-2, 6, 14-triene, a known antibacterial compound, previously identified in H siliquosa; (2E, 6E, 10E, l4E)-1-(1'- hydroxy-4'-methoxy-6'-methyl phenyl)-5, 12 dihydroxy-3.7, 11, 15-tetramethyl hexadeca- 2.6, 10, l4-tetraene, previously identified in Cystoseira elegans, and now in H siliquosa; and two compounds that have not been reported before.

The increasing demand for seaweed extracts has led to the introduction of non-native seaweeds for farming purposes in many tropical regions. Such intentional introductions can lead to spread of non-native seaweeds from farming areas, which can become established in and alter the dynamics of the recipient ecosystems. While tropical seaweeds are of great interest for aquaculture, and have received much attention as pests in the coral reef literature, little is known about the problems and potential of natural populations, or the role of natural seaweed beds in the tropical seascape. This thesis aims to investigate the spread of non-native genetic strains of the tropical macroalga Eucheuma denticulatum, which have been intentionally introduced for seaweed farming purposes in East Africa, and to evaluate the state of the genetically distinct but morphologically similar native populations. Additionally it aims to investigate the ecological role of seaweed beds in terms of the habitat utilization by fish and mobile invertebrate epifauna. The thesis also aims to evaluate the potential of native populations of eucheumoid seaweeds in regard to seaweed farming. The initial results showed that non-native E. denticulatum is the dominating form of wild eucheumoid, not only in areas in close proximity to seaweed farms, but also in areas where farming has never occurred, while native eucheumoids are now scarce (Paper I). The low frequency of native E. denticulatum in seaweed beds, coupled with a low occurrence of reproductive structures, indicates that the effective population size may be low, which in turn may be a threat under changing environmental conditions. These results, combined with indications that seaweeds may be declining in East Africa, illustrates the need for attaining a better understanding of the ecological role of tropical seaweed habitats. The studies on the faunal communities of seaweed beds showed that they are species rich habitats, with high abundances of juvenile fish and mobile epifauna (Paper II and III), strongly indicating that these habitats should be considered for future seascape studies and management actions. Productivity in East African seaweed farming is decreasing, and as the current cultivation is based on a single non-indigenous haplotype, a more diverse genetic base has been suggested as a means to achieve a more productive and sustainable seaweed farming. Although our results show that East African E. denticulatum has a lower growth rate than the currently used cultivar (Paper IV), the several native haplotypes that are present in wild populations illustrates that, though a demanding endeavour, there is potential for strain selection within native populations. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

by Li Yung Yung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-121). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT (ENGLISH VERSION) --- p.ii / ABSTRACT (CHINESE VERSION) --- p.iv / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.v / LIST OF TABLES --- p.x / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xi / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xiii / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Seaweed --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Classification and Use of Seaweed --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Phycocolloids --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Hong Kong Seaweed --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.4.1 --- Sargassum Species --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.4.2 --- Padina Species --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Source and Production of Alginate --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Function of Alginate in Seaweed --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Chemical Structure of Alginate --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Alginate Production --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Isolation of Alginate --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Commercial Methods --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3 --- Application of Alginate --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Industrial Application --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Pharmaceutical Application --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Food Application --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.3.1 --- Uses of Alginate in Food --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.3.2 --- Safety --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4 --- Structure and Function Relationship of Alginate --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Physico-Chemical Properties --- p.21 / Chapter 1.4.1.1 --- M/G ratio --- p.21 / Chapter 1.4.1.2 --- Solution Properties --- p.21 / Chapter 1.4.1.3 --- Viscosity --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4.1.4 --- Molecular Weight --- p.27 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Functional Properties --- p.27 / Chapter 1.4.2.1 --- Emulsion --- p.27 / Chapter 1.4.2.2 --- Gel Properties --- p.27 / Chapter 1.4.2.3 --- Mechanism of Gelation --- p.29 / Chapter 1.4.2.4 --- Gel Strength and Syneresis --- p.30 / Chapter 1.5 --- Physiological Effects --- p.32 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Dietary Fibre --- p.32 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Minerals --- p.32 / Chapter 1.6 --- Significance of the Present Study --- p.33 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- MATERIALS AND METHODS / Chapter 2.1 --- Seaweed Collection --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2 --- Sample Preparation --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3 --- Alginate Extraction --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Method A --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Method B --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Commercial Alginate --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4 --- Chemical Composition of Alginate --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Alginate Content --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Moisture Content --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Crude Protein Content --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Ash Content --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Monosaccharide Composition --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.5.1 --- Acid Deploymerisation --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.5.2 --- Neutral and Amino Sugar Derivatization --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.5.3 --- Determination of Neutral Sugars by Gas Chromatography --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.5.4 --- Uronic Acid Content --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Uronic Acid Block Composition --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.6.1 --- "MG, MM and GG Block Determination" --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.6.2 --- M/G Ratio Determination --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4.6.3 --- Phenol-Sulfuric Acid Method --- p.45 / Chapter 2.5 --- Physico-Chemical Properties of Alginate --- p.46 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Viscosity --- p.46 / Chapter 2.5.1.1 --- Ostwald Viscometer --- p.46 / Chapter 2.5.1.2 --- Brookfield Viscometer --- p.47 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Molecular Weight --- p.47 / Chapter 2.5.2.1 --- From Intrinsic Viscosity --- p.47 / Chapter 2.5.2.2 --- Gel Permeation Chromatography-Laser Light Scattering (GPC-LLS) --- p.48 / Chapter 2.6 --- Functional Properties of Alginate --- p.49 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Emulsifying Activity (EA) and Emulsion Stability (ES) --- p.49 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Gel Formation --- p.49 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Gel Strength and Syneresis --- p.50 / Chapter 2.6.4 --- Application in Food ´ؤ Fruit Jelly --- p.52 / Chapter 2.7 --- Data Analysis --- p.53 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION / Chapter 3.1 --- Proximate Composition of Selected Seaweed --- p.54 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Moisture Content --- p.54 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Ash Content --- p.56 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Crude Protein Content --- p.57 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Carbohydrate Content --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2 --- Chemical Composition of Alginate Extracted from Two Different Methods --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Percentage Yield --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Alginate Content --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Moisture Content --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Ash Content --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Residual Protein Content --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Monosaccharide Composition of Alginate --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- M/G Ratio --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Summary --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3 --- Comparative Studies of Physico-Chemical Composition of Alginate from Sargassum and Padina Species --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Block Composition and M/G Ratio --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Viscosity --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Intrinsic Viscosity ´ؤ Capillary Viscometer --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Solution Viscosity - Brookfield Viscometer --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.2.2.1 --- Effect of Temperature --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.2.2.2 --- Effect of Concentration --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3.2.2.3 --- Shear Thinning and Time Independent Effect --- p.82 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Molecular Weight --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- From Intrinsic Viscosity --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- Gel Permeation Chromatograph-Laser Light Scattering (GPC-LLS) --- p.90 / Chapter 3.4 --- Comparative Studies of the Functional Properties of Extracted Alginate with Commercial Alginate --- p.93 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Emulsifying Activity (EA) and Emulsifying Stability (ES) --- p.93 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Gelling Properties --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Effect of Calcium Concentrations --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- Gel Strength and Syneresis --- p.97 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Application in Food --- p.99 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.103 / REFERENCES --- p.105 / RELATED PUBLICATION --- p.120

The brown macroalgae Fucus radicans is endemic to the Baltic Sea, but little is known about this newly described species. This thesis investigates the ecology and role of F. radicans within the species poor Baltic Sea ecosystem. The thallus of F. radicans had a more complex structure but was smaller than F. vesiculosus, the other important foundation species with which it grows in sympatry at several sites. The variability of the associated flora and fauna communities of these two Fucus species, however, was explained by the thallus size, not the complexity. Comparisons between the populations of F. radicans in the Bothnian Sea with those in Väinameri Sea on the Estonian coast, showed that the Estonian thalli were smaller, less complex and lacking the numerous adventitious branches which occur extensively in the Bothnian Sea populations. The distribution of F. radicans in Sweden is limited to the Bothnian Sea coast. The low salinity at the northern limit prevented successful fertilization, while increased salinity did not restrict F. radicans but improved its reproductive success. The southern distribution limit was instead shown to be negatively impacted by a combination of grazing and competition. The asexual reproduction through settling of detached fragments was favoured by high light levels and high temperature in laboratory conditions. Re-attachment occurred by basally formed rhizoids but settling also occurred through a calcium-rich substance, seemingly secreted by the fragment. Genetic spatial distribution of F. radicans showed a dominance of a few widespread clones both within and between sites with an intermingled rather than clustered pattern. The extensive female clone, common in most sites, is most likely old and several clonal lineages have derived from her.  Although more clearly expressed in the clonal populations, the macroscopic sexual dimorphism discovered appears to be a species specific trait in F. radicans. This thesis presents further insight in F. radicans role within the Baltic Sea ecosystem and its value as a study species for adaptation, clonality and speciation. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript. Paper 5: Manuscript.</p>

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / No presente estudo foram utilizadas misturas de Ãleos em concentraÃÃes nutracÃuticas com razÃo de &#969;6:&#969;3 baixa que favorece uma aÃÃo antiinflamatÃria e a razÃo de &#969;9:&#969;6 alta com aÃÃo antioxidante. O objetivo do estudo foi estudar os efeitos das misturas de Ãleos de &#969;9, &#969;6 e &#969;3 na queimadura tÃrmica e avaliar se as fontes de &#969;3 (ALA, EPA ou DHA) interferem nos efeitos das misturas na queimadura. Foram utilizados 36 ratos Wistar, distribuÃdos em 6 grupos: Ãgua, queimado + Ãgua [Q + Ãgua], queimado + isolipÃdico [Q + Iso], queimado + mistura de Ãleos 1 [ALA], queimado + mistura de Ãleos 2 [ALA+EPA+DHA de peixe] e queimado + mistura de Ãleos &#969;3[ALA+DHA de algas marinhas] com seis animais em cada grupo. Realizada queimadura por conduÃÃo direta causando lesÃo de espessura total do dorso dos animais, em seguida admininstrada por via orogÃstrica as misturas de Ãleos por sete dias. Avaliada a lesÃo cutÃnea por macroscopia (planimetria digital), microscopia, imunohistoquimica (anti-Ki-67, anti-NF&#954;B, anti-HSP 27 e anti-HNEJ) e painel de citocinas (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-alpha, INF-gama e CSF-GM). Na macroscopia os ratos que receberam a mistura 3 apresentaram menor Ãrea de lesÃo, assim como as misturas 1, 2 e isolipÃdica quando comparadas com a Ãgua. Na microscopia apenas os animais que receberam a mistura 3 (ALA+DHA de algas marinhas) apresentaram menor extensÃo da lesÃo em relaÃÃo a Ãgua. Ao avaliar o Ki-67 a mistura 3 induziu aumento da proliferaÃÃo celular em relaÃÃo aos demais grupos. Apenas a mistura 3 foi capaz de inibir NF&#954;B. NÃo houve diferenÃa entre os grupos em relaÃÃo a HSP 27, HNEJ e painel de interleucina. A mistura de Ãleos &#969;3, na qual a fonte à ALA+DHA de algas marinhas, tem efeitos de: inibir o NFkB, aumentar a proliferaÃÃo celular, reduzir Ãrea de lesÃo e extensÃo da queimadura.

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.

The effect of potassium silicate fortified with cow manure compost tea and seaweed extract on dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) was studied in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perene L.). Application of potassium silicate fortified compost tea increased the silicon content in bentgrass and ryegrass at 5 days after treatment, but there was only a minimal effect on silicon content in the grass at 15 days after treatment. However, the fortified treatments did not affect the susceptibility of grass to dollar spot disease in the greenhouse experiments. Fortified treatments did not have a significant effect on the chlorophyll content, total phenol content and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in creeping bentgrass. Similarly, the treatment did not affect area of the lesion and mycelial growth of the fungus. Although the synergistic effect of silica fortification was not investigated in detail, preliminary results of the study indicate potassium silicate fortified with compost tea or seaweed extract was not different from that of non-fortified treatments in reducing dollar spot disease in the greenhouse trial.

Ulva as an aquaculture crop and IMTA component species has received mixed results globally; success has been achieved in South Africa and Israel, whilst in Europe the results have been poor. This project aims to determine if Ulva lactuca is a suitable candidate as an inorganic extractive species component within marine IMTA systems in British Columbia. The inorganic extractive feasibility of U. lactuca was determined with combination of real time growth and nutrient uptake experiments, alongside a SWOT analysis and literature review to reveal the possible potentialities and pitfalls. U. lactuca was cultivated in 680 litre tanks in the effluent of Wolf Eels, Anarrhichthys ocellatus in a recirculation system at the Aquatics facility at the University of Victoria. Growth experiments of wild local U. lactuca strains attained summer growth of up to 17.43% specific daily growth rate, with winter growth of up to 4.26% specific daily growth rate. U. lactuca demonstrates a preference for Ammonia-N uptake over other forms of inorganic nitrogen and a reduced nutrient uptake capacity during dark periods. Nitrate uptake capacity up to 202µm N gDW-1 day-1 was exhibited. These figures display the excellent biological potential of local Ulva lactuca strains to act as an inorganic extractive. However currently, long term maintenance of the crop proved problematic with instability with growth rates and nutrient uptake capacity. Cultivation issues in combination with poor economic outlook will restrict the feasibility of this species to specific types of IMTA system. Beneficial steps towards the deployment of U. lactuca inorganic extractive components would include: (i) the identification of suitable sterile strains or employment of “germling” spore production, (ii) the use of a rotational, light weight, cage cultivation system, (iii) being farmed in combination with a dark period nutrient removal species, such as Chondrus crispus, (iv) being farmed in conjunction with in-situ algivorous species. / Graduate / 0792

Global warming along with energy demand and rising prices of natural energy resources have motivated studies to find some renewable and clean energy. The use of algae as third generation biofuel can avoid the competition for farmland and algae can be considered as a potential future source of renewable energy. Algae can be used for biogas production through anaerobic digestion (AD). Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus are the two dominating species of brown seaweed growing in the Baltic sea in the southwest of Sweden. Pretreatment can significantly affect the biogas production since hydrolysis of algae cell wall structure is a rate-limiting step in AD process. In this study, four different pretreatments: mechanical, microwave (600W, 2min), ultrasonic (110V, 15min), and microwave combined with ultrasonic (600W, 2min;110V, 15min) were applied to the seaweed and then co-digested with biogas plant leachate. The aim was to investigate the biogas production and methane yield from AD after these pretreatments. The results showed when comparing with mechanical pretreated only, that the ultrasonic, ultrasonic combined with microwave and microwave pretreatments could obtain increased cumulative methane yields with 167%, 185% and 156% , respectively. The maximum methane yield was 260 ml/g∙VS with combined pretreatment after 20 days of digestion. The ultrasonic combined with microwave pretreatment showed a significant improvement of methane yield when comparing with mechanical pretreatment.