Screening for angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of enzymatic hydrolysates obtained from Azorean macroalgae

As part of ongoing studies into the isolation of antihypertensive peptides, 12 common macroalgae species from Azores were investigated for their potential angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties. After optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis conditions, the anti-ACE activity was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The species under study include four Rhodophyta (Gelidium microdon, Osmundea pinnatifida, Porphyra sp. and Pterocladiella capillacea), four Chlorophyta (Chaetomorpha linum, Codium adhaerens, Ulva compressa and Ulva rigida) and four Heterokontophyta (Cystoseira humilis, Fucus spiralis, Padina pavonica and Sargassum cymosum). The bromelain hydrolysates derived from P. capillacea, Porphyra sp., F. spiralis, U. compressa, O. pinnatifida and U. rigida were the most active presenting an ACE inhibitory activity of 48.73 ± 1.58%, 50.96 ± 1.82%, 56.77 ± 1.80%, 59.80 ± 0.95%, 62.59 ± 1.60% and 65.68 ± 0.72%, respectively. These results suggest that some macroalgae from the littoral Azorean sea are potential sources of powerful ACE inhibitor peptides, with potential impact on public health, particularly on the hypertensive patients. These features make these algae valuable to the regional economy and may also provide an incentive for marine biodiversity conservation and valuation of marine algal resources

Antioxidant activity of macroalgae from the Azores

Free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) was studied to determine the antioxidant activity of 8 common macroalgae species found in the Azores. Species under study were Porphyra sp., Osmundea pinnatifida, Pterocladiella capillacea, Sphaerococcus coronopifolius and Gelidium microdon, from Rhodophyta; Ulva compressa and Chaetomorpha pachynema, from Chlorophyta and Fucus spiralis from Phaeophyta.The antioxidant activity was evaluated in methanolic extract by a decolourisation solution test of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), used as a stable radical. The methanolic extracts were obtained from dried biomass by sequential extractions, attaining a final concentration of 2 mg.mL-1. The FRSA values ranged from 19.54% for S. coronopifolius to 60.05% for F. spiralis with standard deviation (SD) varying between 1.41% and 6.80%. Results indicated that the studied seaweeds are a very promising source of biological active compounds with antioxidante properties. The seaweeds were collected in the Azorean islands where seawater pollution levels are low. Consequently, these seaweeds represent a valuable and good source of antioxidante material with superior beneficial effects on human health

Nutritional value of selected macroalgae

Copyright © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.Macroalgae are traditionally used in human and animal nutrition. Their protein and fiber content have been widely studied and differ according to the species, their geographic origin and their seasonal conditions. In addition to their value for human nutrition, seaweeds have multiple therapeutically applications (e.g., weight control, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant and antitumor activities, others) and, in general, contribute and promote human health. In the archipelago of the Azores, the consumption of seaweeds is widespread and accepted as a common practice in some islands. This work is aimed at providing information on the protein and fiber content of the locally consumed species, to promote this regional food product that can be potentially profitable from the biotechnology and commercial perspective, and also benefit public health, particularly, taking into account the low level of marine pollution in the Azores archipelago. Protein and fiber content of eight seaweeds (Porphyra sp., Osmundea pinnatifida, Pterocladiella capillacea, Sphaerococcus coronopifolius, and Gelidium microdon, Rhodophyta; Cystoseira abies-marina and Fucus spiralis, Phaeophyta; Ulva compressa, Chlorophyta) were determined using the Kjeldahl method and the Weende method, respectively. The protein content ranged from 6.81 to 26.62 of dry weight for C. abies-marina and U. compressa, respectively. Fiber content was generally higher as compared with that in seaweeds from other origins and ranged from 33.82 to 63.88 for O. pinnatifida and F. spiralis, respectively

Biotechnological applications of selected macroalgae

IBBA Strategic Planning - Workshop III, Plant Biotechnology Ponta Delgada, 25 Janeiro, 2011

Potencial nutricional de macroalgas marinhas dos Açores. Determinação do teor de proteína.

IV Congresso da Ordem dos Biólogos e II Congresso dos Biólogos dos Açores (Painel Biologia Marinha e Oceanografia). Ponta Delgada, Açores, 13-15 de Outubro de 2011

Mais-valia nutricional de macroalgas marinhas dos Açores. Determinação do teor de fibra bruta.

IV Congresso da Ordem dos Biólogos e II Congresso dos Biólogos dos Açores (Painel Biologia Marinha e Oceanografia). Ponta Delgada, Açores, 13-15 de Outubro de 2011

Search for bioindicators of pollution in the Guanabara Bay: integrations of ecologic patterns

Guanabara Bay, since its discovery, has largely changed with the human occupation causing large amounts of deposited sediment and waste, as well as domestic and industry sewage. Surface sediment was analysed for foraminifera and ostracoda distribution, diversity and dominance studies. These results were compared with TOC analyses aiming the determination of pollution bioindicators. In general, foraminifera dominant species were Ammonia tepida, Buliminella elegantissima and Quinqueloculina seminulum. The foraminifera assemblages presented distinct abundance and diversity values in different regions of the bay. The diversity was higher in the entrance (south) and in the central region than in the north region of the bay. The dominant species, that are characteristic of stressed environments, presented higher values of abundance in the north region. The TOC values increased from south to north regions, and were inversely proportional to foraminifera diversity. The very high TOC values in very polluted areas suggest sediment deposition in anoxic-dysoxic environment. The ostracoda Gen. Cyprideis was dominant and its occurrence increased from south to north region. Occurrence of Callistocythere sigmocostata, Xestoleberis sp., Aurila sp., and Paracypris sp. were restricted to the entrance and central area, indicating a preference for less restricted conditions, like marine conditions. Foraminifera and ostracoda characteristic responses to the environment conditions related high TOC values showed their importance as bioindicators of stressed environments caused by anthropogenic pollution, in the Guanabara Bay.A Baía de Guanabara, desde o seu descobrimento, tem sido bastante modificada pela ocupação humana, causando o acúmulo de grande quantidade de sedimento depositado e lixo, bem como lançamento de esgotos domésticos e industriais. Sedimentos superficiais foram analisados visando o estudo da distribuição, diversidade e dominância de foraminíferos e ostracodes. Estes estudos foram comparados com análises de COT objetivando a determinação de bioindicadores de poluição. Em geral as espécies dominantes de foraminíferos foram Ammonia tepida,Buliminella elegantissima and Quinqueloculina seminulum. As associações de foraminíferos apresentam distintos valores de abundância e diversidade em diferentes regiões da Baía. A diversidade foi mais elevada na entrada (sul) e na região central do que na região norte da Baía. As espécies dominantes, que são características de ambientes sob estresse, apresentaram valores altos de abundância na região norte. Os valores de COT aumentaram da região sul para o norte e foram inversamente proporcionais à diversidade de foraminíferos. O elevados valores de COT em áreas muito poluídas sugerem deposição sedimentar em ambiente anóxico-desóxico. O Gen. Cyprideis, de ostracode, foi dominante e sua ocorrência aumentou da região sul para o norte. A ocorrência de Callistocythere sigmocostata, Xestoleberis sp., Aurila sp. e Paracypris sp. foi estrita à entrada e região central, indicando uma preferência por condições menos restritas, como condições marinhas. As respostas características dos foraminíferos e ostracodes às condições ambientais relacionadas aos elevados valores de COT mostraram sua importância como bioindicadores de ambientes sob estresse causado por poluição antropogênica na Baía de Guanabara

Fungal diversity associated to the olive moth, prays oleae Bernard : a survey for potential entomopathogenic fungi

Olive production is one of the main agricultural activities in Portugal. In the region of Trás-os-Montes this crop has been considerably affected by Prays oleae. In order to evaluate the diversity of fungi on P. oleae population of Trás-os-Montes olive orchards, larvae and pupae of the three annual generations (phyllophagous, antophagous and carpophagous) were collected and evaluated for fungal growth on their surface. From the 3828 larvae and pupae, a high percentage of individuals exhibited growth of a fungal agent (40.6%), particularly those from the phyllophagous generation. From all the moth generations, a total of 43 species from 24 genera were identified, but the diversity and abundance of fungal species differed between the three generations. Higher diversity was found in the carpophagous generation, followed by the antophagous and phyllophagous generations. The presence of fungi displaying entomopathogenic features was highest in the phyllophagous larvae and pupae, being B. bassiana the most abundant taxa. The first report of B. bassiana presence on P. oleae could open new strategies for the biocontrol of this major pest in olive groves, since the use of an already adapted species increases the guarantee of success of a biocontrol approach. The identification of antagonistic fungi able to control agents that cause major olive diseases, such as Verticillium dahliae, will benefit future biological control approaches for limiting this increasingly spreading pathogen.This work was supported by Science and Technology Foundation (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia – FCT) project PTDC/AGR-AAM/102600/2008 “Entomopathogenic fungi associated to olive pests: isolation, characterization and selection for biological control”. The first author is grateful to the Science and Technology Foundation for the PhD grant SFRH/BD/44265/2008

Endophytic and epiphytic phyllosphere fungal communities are shaped by different environmental factors in a mediterranean ecosystem

The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-018-1161-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.The diversity and factors influencing fimgal assemblages in phyllosphere of Mediterranean tree species have been barely studied, especially when endophytic and epiphytic communities are simultaneously considered. In this work, the endophytic and epiphytic fungal communities from olive tree phyllosphere were studied. This tree species is natural from the Mediterranean region and adapted to grow under adverse climatic conditions. The main objectives were to determine whether there are differences between both fungal communities and to examine whether different abiotic (climate-related) and biotic (plant organs) factors play a pivotal role in structuring these communities. Both communities differed in size and composition, with epiphytic community being richer and more abundant, displaying also a dominance of melanized fungi. Season was the major driver of community composition, especially of epiphytes. Other drivers shaping epiphytes were wind speed and temperature, while plant organ, rainfall, and temperature were the major drivers for endophytic composition. In contrast, canopy orientation caused slight variations in community composition of fungi, but with distinct effects in spring and autumn seasons. In conclusion, epiphytic and endophytic communities are not driven by the same factors. Several sources of variation undergo complex interactions to form and maintain phyllosphere fungal community in Mediterranean climates. Climatic parameters have influence on these fungal communities, suggesting that they are likely to be affected by climate changes in a near future.This work is funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE (Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade) and by national funds by FCT (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia) within the framework of the project EXCL/AGR-PRO/0591/2012. T. Gomes thanks FCT, POPH-QREN, and FSE for PhD SFRH/BD/98127/2013 grant