First evaluation of associated gut microbiota in wild thick-lipped grey mullets (Chelon labrosus, Risso 1827)

The need for species diversification in Mediterranean aquaculture has promoted the culture of omnivorous and herbivorous species. Within this context, it is worth noting the high potential presented by the species of the family Mugilidae (mullets), which is considered a priority within the current strategies of European aquaculture (Alexander et al. 2015). One of the mullets with potential for use in aquaculture is the thick-lipped grey mullet (Chelon labrosus), due to its great adaptability to different culture conditions, omnivorous profile, high osmoregulatory capacity, and resistance to environmental variations (Pujante et al., 2018). However, there is a lack of information regarding the composition and functions of its intestinal microbiota. Documenting the bacteria present in healthy individuals is the first step to understanding the impacts of microbial manipulation in aquaculture systems (Tarnecki et al., 2016). In this sense, the knowledge of bacterial diversity from healthy wild fish in their natural environment is essential. Furthermore, the study of the functionality of the intestinal microbiota of wild fish provides information on its capacity to adapt to different culture conditions. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the intestinal microbiota of wild C. labrosus and explore its potential functionality on the host. Predicted functions of intestinal microbiota showed the most abundant those related to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, membrane transport, and cell replication and repair. Furthermore, the analysis revealed microbial functional genes related to the elimination of environmental toxins. These functions of intestinal microbiota might provide beneficial effects for the host.This work was funded by Project Agl-2017-83260R supported by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (MINECO, Spanish Government), and by the Project Bluemaro (PID2020 116136 RB100) of the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain

Historia y taxonomía : Redescripción de <i>Liolaemus andinus</i> Koslowsky, 1895 y descripción de dos nuevas especies de <i>Liolaemus</i> (Iguania: Liolaemidae)

Debido a la falta de información sobre la procedencia exacta de colecta de los ejemplares de la serie tipo Liolaemus andinus y posterior pérdida, durante mucho tiempo se asignaron a esta especie varias poblaciones con características morfológicas dispares, lo que trajo como pro-blema la identificación del verdadero L. andinus. Este estudio comenzó en el año 2004 y luego de dieciséis años de investigación de las poblaciones asignadas o relacionadas a L. andinus, se la redescribe, se designa un neotipo, se considera su probable procedencia y se aportan datos de su biología y distribución. Asimismo, se presenta una hipótesis sobre la procedencia y dis-tribución de L andinus basada en argumentos biológicos e históricos. También se determina la posición taxonómica de las poblaciones asignadas y confundidas con L. andinus, varias de las cuales tienen afinidad con Liolaemus poecilochromus y Liolaemus rosenmanni. Los análisis morfológicos y moleculares desarrollados en este estudio, nos permiten describir dos nuevas especies de Liolaemus, que anteriormente eran identificadas y confundidas con Liolaemus andinus. Estos nuevos taxones habitan en la región fitogeográfica altoandina de Argentina, en altitudes mayores a 3000 m s.n.m; una se distribuye en el suroeste de la provincia de Catamarca y la restante en el centro oeste de la provincia de La Rioja. Las diferencias morfológicas más significativas entre estas nuevas especies y Liolaemus andinus se encuentran principalmente en el patrón de coloración y algunos caracteres de lepidosis relacionados al número de escamas.Due to lack of information about the precise type locality of Liolaemus andinus, and the subse-quent loss of the type material, for a long-time various population of divergent morphological characteristics were assigned to this taxon, which caused the identification of the true L. andinusto become problematic. The present study started in 2004 and after sixteen years of research of the various populations assigned or related to this species, L. andinus is redescribed, a neotype is assigned, and considerations on its probable provenance, and data on its biology and distri-bution are provided. Also, a hypothesis is presented on the provenance of L. andinus based on biological and historical support evidence. The taxonomic position of populations that have been assigned to and confused with L. andinus in the literature is determined, several of which have affinity with L. poecilochromus and L. rosenmanni. Morphology and molecular-based analyses performed in this study allow us to describe two new Liolaemus species, previously confused and identified as Liolaemus andinus. These new taxa inhabit the high Andes phytogeographic region in Argentina, at altitudes above 3000 m a.s.l. One of these species is distributed in the southwest of Catamarca province and the other inhabits the central-western portion of La Rioja province. The most significant morphological differences between these new species and Liolaemus andinus are mainly the coloration pattern and some lepidosis characters related to number of scales.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

Two new Liolaemus lizards from the Andean highlands of Southern Chile (Squamata, Iguania, Liolaemidae)

Indexación: Web of Science; Scopus; Scielo.Liolaemus is a diverse genus of lizards, subdivided into two subgenera: Liolaemus (sensu stricto) and Eulaemus, distributed mainly in Chile and Argentina. The L. elongatus-kriegi complex is the most diverse group within Liolaemus (sensu stricto), especially the species closely related to L. elongatus, which form a clade currently comprising nine species. Several Chilean species of this group have been recently described, mainly from volcanoes and poorly explored mountains. Here molecular and morphological evidence are provided for a new species of the L. elongatus clade, which is characterized by its small size and lack of dorsal pattern, unusual features for the species of this group of lizards. Additionally, the lack of precloacal pores in males of Liolaemus (sensu stricto) is a trait found in few species, which do not constitute a monophyletic group. A second new southern Chilean species is also described, without precloacal pores and supported by molecular phylogenetics to be related to Liolaemus villaricensis. Both new species were found in the same locality, near a lake located in a pre-Andean zone with Araucaria and Nothofagus forest. The two species are dedicated to prominent Lonkos (tribal chiefs) of the Mapuche and Pehuenche people: Janequeo and Leftraru. Additionally, the phylogenetic results suggest that L. lonquimayensis is a synonym of L. elongatus.http://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=952

Study on the antioxidant and antitumoral activity of propolis

Introducción: El propóleo es la sustancia que protege a la colmena, es una resina de composición compleja y viscosa que las abejas utilizan en la reparación y protección de la colmena. El material del que procede el propóleo son las resinas, brotes y pecíolos de las hojas de diferentes vegetales, por ello presenta una composición química muy compleja que varía en función de la flora de recolección de las abejas. Posee capacidad antimicrobiana, antiinflamatoria que está relacionada con su poder antioxidante, inmunomoduladora, entre otras. Objetivos: En este trabajo se estudian las actividades antioxidantes y antitumorales de propóleos de distintas zonas de la provincia de Málaga comparándolos con uno de la región de Bohemia al sur de la República Checa. Material y métodos: La actividad antioxidante se evaluó según el método ABTS+/S2 O8 K2 . Además se estimó la cantidad de proteínas totales a partir del contenido de nitrógeno y posteriormente se determinó la citotoxicidad y actividad antitumoral del propóleo del Puerto de la Torre, al norte de Málaga, según el método del bromuro de 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-difenil tetrazolio. Resultados: Se observó que el propóleo presenta una elevada actividad antioxidante, aunque tiene una menor cantidad de proteínas. El propóleo presenta elevada toxicidad y mayor actividad antitumoral frente al cáncer de colon que al de leucemia. Conclusión: Con todos estos datos obtenidos se puede concluir que el propóleo presenta diferentes actividades de interés para la industria alimentaria o cosmética, entre las que destaca su elevado poder antioxidante y su capacidad como antitumoral.Introduction: Propolis is the substance that protects the hive, a resin of complex and viscous composition bees use in the repair and protection of the hive. The material from which propolis arises are the resins, shoots and petioles of the leaves of different plants, so it has a very complex chemical composition that varies depending on the flora of the bees collection. It offers an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory capacity related to its antioxidant, immunomodulatory power, among others. Aims: In this work, antioxidant and antitumoral activities of different propolis collected from different areas of the province of Malaga, comparing them with one from the Bohemian region to the south of the Czech Republic are studied. Material and methods: Antioxidant activity was determined according to the ABTS+/S2 O8 K2 method. In addition, the quantity of total proteins from the nitrogen content and subsequently the cytotoxicity and antitumoral activity of the propolis of Puerto de la Torre, north of Malaga, are measured according to the 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method. Results: It was observed that propolis has high antioxidant activity, although it has a lower amount of proteins. Propolis has high toxicity and higher antitumoral activity against colon cancer than leukemia. Discussion: With all these data, it can be concluded that propolis offers different activities of interest, for the food and cosmetic industry, among which the high antioxidant and antitumoral capacity

Estudio de la actividad antioxidante y antitumoral del propóleo

Introduction: Propolis is the substance that protects the hive, a resin of complex and viscous composition bees use in the repair and protection of the hive. The material from which propolis arises are the resins, shoots and petioles of the leaves of different plants, so it has a very complex chemical composition that varies depending on the flora of the bees collection. It offers an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory capacity related to its antioxidant, immunomodulatory power, among others. Aims: In this work, antioxidant and antitumoral activities of different propolis collected from different areas of the province of Malaga, comparing them with one from the Bohemian region to the south of the Czech Republic are studied. Material and methods: Antioxidant activity was determined according to the ABTS+/S2O8K2 method. In addition, the quantity of total proteins from the nitrogen content and subsequently the cytotoxicity and antitumoral activity of the propolis of Puerto de la Torre, north of Malaga, are measured according to the 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method. Results: It was observed that propolis has high antioxidant activity, although it has a lower amount of proteins. Propolis has high toxicity and higher antitumoral activity against colon cancer than leukemia. Discussion: With all these data, it can be concluded that propolis offers different activities of interest, for the food and cosmetic industry, among which the high antioxidant and antitumoral capacity.Introducción: El propóleo es la sustancia que protege a la colmena, es una resina de composición compleja y viscosa que las abejas utilizan en la reparación y protección de la colmena. El material del que procede el propóleo son las resinas, brotes y pecíolos de las hojas de diferentes vegetales, por ello presenta una composición química muy compleja que varía en función de la flora de recolección de las abejas. Posee capacidad antimicrobiana, antiinflamatoria que está relacionada con su poder antioxidante, inmunomoduladora, entre otras. Objetivos: En este trabajo se estudian las actividades antioxidantes y antitumorales de propóleos de distintas zonas de la provincia de Málaga comparándolos con uno de la región de Bohemia al sur de la República Checa. Material y métodos: La actividad antioxidante se evaluó según el método ABTS+/S2O8K2. Además se estimó la cantidad de proteínas totales a partir del contenido de nitrógeno y posteriormente se determinó la citotoxicidad y actividad antitumoral del propóleo del Puerto de la Torre, al norte de Málaga, según el método del bromuro de 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-difenil tetrazolio. Resultados: Se observó que el propóleo presenta una elevada actividad antioxidante, aunque tiene una menor cantidad de proteínas. El propóleo presenta elevada toxicidad y mayor actividad antitumoral frente al cáncer de colon que al de leucemia. Conclusión: Con todos estos datos obtenidos se puede concluir que el propóleo presenta diferentes actividades de interés para la industria alimentaria o cosmética, entre las que destaca su elevado poder antioxidante y su capacidad como antitumoral

Brazilian Beach-Cast Seaweeds: Antioxidant, Photoprotection and Cytotoxicity Properties.

The potential of seaweed extracts in cosmetic applications have increased with novel development and market. Beneficial biological properties include the ability to struggle aging and anticancer agents. This research aimed to evaluate antioxidant, photoprotective and cytotoxic properties of extracts from beach-cast seaweed species from the Brazilian coast in order to propose an appropriate use of this sustainable resource. Analysis of antioxidant capacity, UV/VIS absorption, quantification of UV photoprotectors, total content of C, N and S, development of cosmetic creams and evaluation of the cytotoxicity activity against tumoral cells lines were performed. The highest antioxidant capacity was found in extracts of brown seaweeds, followed by red seaweeds, with the lowest activity detected in the green seaweed. Same pattern was observed for phenolic compounds. The extracts did not show cytotoxicity activity against healthy human cells. Other forms of extraction and incorporation of the extract into the base creams should be evaluated, the isolation and purification of substances could increase the efficiency of the photoprotective capacity. The species were highly promising and proved to be natural sources of antioxidants and substances with cytotoxicity activity against tumoral cells; therefore, they could be exploited as functional ingredients with specific applications for different types of industries. The application of seaweed extracts in combination with other natural ingredients can help in the design of new cosmetics against the negative effects of UV radiation, in addition to having the great advantage of not presenting toxicity to health or the environment because they are biodegradable.Funding for open access publishing: Universidad Málaga/CBUA. // TBH thanks to CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico; 140144/2017-0) for financial support and PhD scholarship and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior; Code 001) for funding the postgraduate program in Botany at the Institute of Bioscience and PhD sandwich scholarship (88887.368014/2019-00). FC thanks FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; 2018/18015-8) for financial support and CNPq for research productivity grants (303937/2015-7; 303493/2018-6). This work is part of the international research project BMBF 031B0284 (023/IVV-113816). FLF thanks the financial support by the Ministry of Sciences and Innovation (BlueMaro Project, PID2020-116136RB-I0) and by the Government of Andalusia (Facco Project - UMA18-FEDER JA-162 and NAZCA Project -P20-004589)

Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory and Potential Anticancer Capacity of Polysaccharides (Glucans) from Euglena gracilis G.A. Klebs

The present study was carried out to determine the bioactivity of polysaccharides extracted from Euglena gracilis (EgPs). These were characterized by FT-IR and GC-MS. Cytotoxicity analyses (MTT) were performed on healthy human gingival fibroblast cell lines (HGF-1), obtaining an IC50 of 228.66 µg mL−1, and cell lines with anticancer activity for colon cancer (HCT-116), breast cancer (MCF-7), human leukemia (U-937, HL-60) and lung cancer (NCl-H460), showing that EgPs have anticancer activity, mainly in HTC-116 cells (IC50 = 26.1 µg mL−1). The immunological assay determined the immunomodulatory capacity of polysaccharides for the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and TNF-α in human monocytes (THP-1). It was observed that the EgPs had a stimulating capacity in the synthesis of these interleukins. The antioxidant capacity of polysaccharides and their biomass were analyzed using the ABTS method (18.30 ± 0.14% and (5.40 ± 0.56%, respectively, and the DPPH method for biomass (17.79 ± 0.57%). We quantitatively profiled HGF-1 proteins by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis, coupled with 2-plex tandem mass tag labelling, in normal cells. In total, 1346 proteins were identified and quantified with high confidence, of which five were considered to be overexpressed. The data is available through ProteomeXchange, under identifier PXD029076.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Repoblamiento de peces en el río Ranchería y transferencia tecnológica en el cultivo del pez nativo bocachico (Prochilodus reticulatus), a comunidades campesinas asentadas en la zona ribereña del río Ranchería en el departamento de La Guajira, Colombia.

Debido al detrimento ambiental de los cuerpos de agua en el departamento de La Guajira en la actualidad, las capturas de bocachico presentan una disminución considerable. El bocachico representa el mayor volumen de capturas en el río Ranchería y es el principal recurso de consumo local de peces de río en el departamento. Ante tal situación, el sena Regional Guajira y el Incoder trabajaron juntos en el programa de repoblamiento del bocachico guajiro (Prochilodus reticulatus) y en beneficio de las poblaciones ribereñas del río Ranchería, mediante el impulso del cultivo en estanques entre los años 2010 y 2012. Se estableció un protocolo de reproducción de esta especie de acuerdo con las características medioambientales del departamento de La Guajira. Se produjeron en total 5.133.200 larvas viables de bocachico, de las cuales 5.061.600 larvas fueron sembradas en el río Ranchería y 71.600 se llevaron a la etapa de alevinos con el objetivo de ser entregados a las comunidades del sur de La Guajira en los municipios de Distracción, Chorrera, Fonseca y Barrancas. La tecnología para la inducción al desove y producción de semilla de bocachico fue ejecutada en el municipio de Riohacha, en las instalaciones del Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje –sena–, Regional Guajira. 

In vitro and in vivo effects of ulvan polysaccharides from Ulva rigida

One of the main bioactive compounds of interest from the Ulva species is the sulfated polysaccharide ulvan, which has recently attracted attention for its anticancer properties. This study investigated the cytotoxic activity of ulvan polysaccharides obtained from Ulva rigida in the following scenarios: (i) in vitro against healthy and carcinogenic cell lines (1064sk (human fibroblasts), HACAT (immortalized human keratinocytes), U-937 (a human leukemia cell line), G-361 (a human malignant melanoma), and HCT-116 (a colon cancer cell line)) and (ii) in vivo against zebrafish embryos. Ulvan exhibited cytotoxic effects on the three human cancer cell lines tested. However, only HCT-116 demonstrated sufficient sensitivity to this ulvan to make it relevant as a potential anticancer treatment, presenting an LC50 of 0.1 mg mL−1. The in vivo assay on the zebrafish embryos showed a linear relationship between the polysaccharide concentration and growth retardation at 7.8 hpf mL mg−1, with an LC50 of about 5.2 mg mL−1 at 48 hpf. At concentrations near the LC50, toxic effects, such as pericardial edema or chorion lysis, could be found in the experimental larvae. Our in vitro study supports the potential use of polysaccharides extracted from U. rigida as candidates for treating human colon cancer. However, the in vivo assay on zebrafish indicated that the potential use of ulvan as a promising, safe compound should be limited to specific concentrations below 0.001 mg mL−1 since it revealed side effects on the embryonic growth rate and osmolar balance.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Dietary Use of the Microalga Chlorella fusca Improves Growth, Metabolism, and Digestive Functionality in Thick-Lipped Grey Mullet (Chelon labrosus, Risso 1827) Juveniles

In recent years, a clear emphasis has been placed on replacing fishmeal and fish oil in aquafeeds with other alternative ingredients, including algae, particularly in low trophic omnivorous fish species. This work aimed at evaluating the effects of moderate dietary supplementation with the green microalga Chlorella fusca on growth, metabolism, and digestive functionality in juvenile thick-lipped grey mullet (Chelon labrosus). Fish were fed a control diet (CT) or a diet containing 15% C. fusca (C-15) biomass during 90 days. C. labrosus fed with the C-15 diet showed higher growth performance (in terms of final weight and length, weight gain, and specific growth rate) than the control group. Somatic indices and muscle proximate composition were similar at the end of the feeding trial. Regarding fatty acids profile, C. fusca-fed fish showed a selective retention of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the liver, and arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and DHA in the muscle. Dietary inclusion of this microalga significantly increased intestinal total alkaline protease, leucine aminopeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in specimens fed with C-15 diet. Furthermore, intestine histological analysis revealed the absence of damage signs on gut morphology in fish fed the microalgae supplemented diet. Thick-lipped grey mullets fed the C-15 diet increased plasma glucose and decreased plasma lactate. Overall, the effects observed on liver (lipid metabolism, glycolysis and glycogenolysis) enzyme activities, together with adequate fatty acid profile, metabolic response, and gut morphology, and a significant increase in the intestinal mucosa's digestive and absorptive capacity, could explain the positive effects on growth performance obtained in fish fed the microalgae-supplemented diet. In conclusion, the results obtained showed that C. fusca is suitable as dietary ingredient for feeding thick-lipped grey mullet juveniles