Algal Alginate in Biotechnology: Biosynthesis and Applications

Algae are recognized as the main producer of commercial alginate. Alginate produced using algae is located in the walls and intracellular regions of their cells. Its properties vary depending on the species, growing and harvesting seasons, and extraction methods. Alginate has attracted the attention of several industries, thanks to its unique properties such as its biodegradability, biocompatibility, renewability and lack of toxicity features. For example, it is considered a good encapsulation agent due to the transparent nature of the alginate matrices. Also, this biopolymer is recognized as a functional food in the food industry. It can be tolerated easily in human body and has the ability to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Besides, it is used as an abrasive agent, antioxidant, and thickening and stabilizing agents in cosmetic and pharmaceutic industries. Generally, it is used in emulsion systems and wound dressing patches. Furthermore, this polysaccharide has the potential to be used in green nanotechnologies as a drug delivery vehicle via cell microencapsulation. Moreover, it is suitable to adopt as a coagulant due to its wide range of flocculation dose and high shear stability. In this chapter, the mentioned usage areas of algal alginate are explained in more detail

Effect of edaravone on lungs and small intestine in rats with induced radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a frequently used method for treatment of cancer which is regarded as one of the top two diseases causing premature death worldwide. However, radiotherapy is known to have many side effects. In this study, we evaluated biologically and histologically the possible protective effects of edaravone, the free radical scavenger and neuroprotective agent used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, on lung and small intestine against radiation-induced early side effects of 15 Gy total body irradiation in single fraction. Thirty-two rats were divided randomly into four equal groups. Groups were administered 15 Gy of external ionizing radiation to the whole body after 30 minutes of EDA administration (a dose of 500 and 50 mg/kg). Rats were sacrified at 72 h of the experiment. Tissues were separated to investigate levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA); and evealuate histopathological changings. The protective effect of EDA showed statistically significant in MDA, SOD and GSHPX values of lungs except CAT and statistically significant effect was observed in MDA in small intestine. Also, we showed statistically significant values with histopathological changings. Pediatric cancer patients who have a longer life expectancy are as important as their recovery from their normal life. We are expecting that EDA as a modulator of free radical scavenging pathways in many organs can reduce the side effects of radiation damage on lungs and small intestine

Trends in a natural product fucoxanthin

Fucoxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment which occurs in marine brown seaweeds (macroalgae), diatoms and several microalgae species. It forms with chlorophyll a-c and several proteins, a major fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c complex, which transfers light energy to the photosynthesis center and plays a major role in light harvesting. Recent studies have reported that fucoxanthin has many physiological functions and biological effects, such as anti-obesity, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and cardiovascular system protection. Therefore, this pigment is highly preferred for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. In addition, potential applications of high value fucoxanthin can be found in cosmetic, food and feed industries. In this review paper, the historical development, characteristic properties and possible sources of fucoxanthin are extensively described. The potential biological activities of fucoxanthin are also discussed. Finally, brief overview of common applications and market analysis of commercial fucoxanthin are also reported

Agricultural fertilizers as economical alternative for cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis

WOS: 000245288900002PubMed ID: 18050940A Haematococcus pluvialis strain isolated from the ruins of Ephesus in Turkey was investigated as regards its adaptation to laboratory conditions and maximum growth rate. In the first stage of the experiment, the growth of H. pluvialis was compared in common culture media. Furthermore, in an effort to minimize the culture costs, the second stage of the experiment compared the growth rate in the culture medium selected in the first stage with that in commercial plant fertilizers. The results demonstrated that the maximum cell concentration of 0.90 g/l, corresponding to a growth rate of 0.150 d(-1), was found with an N-P-K 20:20:20 fertilizer under a light intensity of 75 mu mol photons m(-2) s(-1) on the 12(th) day of cultivation

Optimization studies for the biomass production of Picochlorum sp

European Biotechnology Congress -- MAY 15-18, 2014 -- Lecce, ITALYWOS: 00035003200016