Hidden Diversity in an Antarctic Algal Forest: Metabolomic Profiling Linked to Patterns of Genetic Diversification in the Antarctic Red Alga Plocamium sp.

The common Antarctic red alga Plocamium sp. is rich in halogenated monoterpenes with known anticancer and antimicrobial properties and extracts of Plocamium sp. have strong ecological activity in deterring feeding by sympatric herbivores. Plocamium sp. collected near Anvers Island, Antarctica showed a high degree of secondary metabolite diversity between separate individuals. GC/MS results revealed 15 different combinations of metabolites (chemogroups) across individuals, which were apparent at 50% or greater Bray–Curtis similarity and also clearly distinguishable by eye when comparing chromatographic profiles of the secondary metabolomes. Sequencing of the mitochondrial cox1 gene revealed six distinct haplotypes, of which the most common two had been previously reported (now referred to as Haplotypes 1 and 2). With the exception of one individual, three of the chemogroups were only produced by individuals in Haplotype 1. All the other 12 chemogroups were produced by individuals in Haplotype 2, with five of these chemogroups also present in one of the four new, less common haplotypes that only differed from Haplotype 2 by one base pair. The functional relevance of this metabolomic and genetic diversity is unknown, but they could have important ecological and evolutionary ramifications, thus potentially providing a foundation for differential selection.     

Application of HPLC-NMR in the Identification of Plocamenone and Isoplocamenone from the Marine Red Alga Plocamium angustum

A combination of on-line HPLC-NMR and off-line chemical investigations has resulted in the identification of the previously reported polyhalogenated monoterpene plocamenone, together with the new structural analogue isoplocamenone from the crude extract of the marine alga Plocamium angustum. On-flow and stop-flow HPLC-NMR analyses (including the acquisition of WET 2D NMR spectra) rapidly assisted in the identification of the major component plocamenone and in the partial identification of its unstable double bond isomer isoplocamenone. Conventional off-line isolation and structural characterization techniques were employed to unequivocally confirm both structures, leading to a structural revision for plocamenone, as well as to obtain sufficient quantities for biological testing.     

Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Crude Methanolic Extract of Red Alga Bryothamnion triquetrum

The marine environment is an extraordinary reservoir of bioactive natural products, many of which exhibit chemical and structural features not found in terrestrial natural products. In this regard, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of a crude methanolic extract of the red alga Bryothamnion triquetrum (BT-MeOH) in murine models. Groups of Swiss mice of both sexes (25–30 g) were used throughout the experiments. The potential antinociceptive of BT-MeOH was evaluated by means of the following tests: acetic acid-induced writhing, hot-plate test and glutamate- and formalin-induced nociception. The anti-inflammatory activity of BT-MeOH was investigated using the zymosan A-induced peritonitis test. The tests were conducted using 100 mg/kg (p.o.) BT-MeOH, 33.3 mg/kg (p.o.) dipyrone, 35.7 mg/kg (p.o.) indomethacin and 5.7 mg/kg (s.c.) morphine. The extract and all standard drugs were administered 40 min before the nociceptive/inflammatory stimulus. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, BT-MeOH and dipyrone inhibited the nociceptive response by 55.9% (22.2 ± 2.0 writhings; p < 0.01) and 80.9% (9.6 ± 2.1 writhings; p < 0.01). In the hot-plate test, BT-MeOH did not increase the latency time of the animals in the time evaluated. In addition, BT-MeOH inhibited glutamate-induced nociception by 50.1%. While BT-MeOH did not inhibit the neurogenic phase in formalin-induced nociception, the inflammatory phase was inhibited by 53.1% (66.8 ± 14.2 s; p < 0.01). Indomethacin inhibited the inflammatory phase by 60.2% (56.8 ± 8.7 s; p < 0.01). In the zymosan-induced peritonitis test, BT-MeOH inhibited 55.6% (6.6 ± 0.2 × 10⁶ leukocytes/mL; p < 0.01) of leukocyte migration, while indomethacin inhibited 78.1% (3.2 ± 0.1 × 10⁶ leukocytes/mL; p < 0.01). Based on the results obtained in this study, we conclude that BT-MeOH has peripheral antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. However, more studies need to be conducted to confirm these properties.     

Antitumor and Antimicrobial Potential of Bromoditerpenes Isolated from the Red Alga,Sphaerococcus coronopifolius

Cancer and infectious diseases continue to be a major public health problem, and new drugs are necessary. As marine organisms are well known to provide a wide range of original compounds, the aim of this study was to investigate the bioactivity of the main constituents of the cosmopolitan red alga, Sphaerococcus coronopifolius. The structure of several bromoditerpenes was determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. Five molecules were isolated and characterized which include a new brominated diterpene belonging to the rare dactylomelane family and named sphaerodactylomelol (1), along with four already known sphaerane bromoditerpenes (2–5). Antitumor activity was assessed by cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative assays on an in vitro model of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2 cells). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against four pathogenic microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Compound 4 exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (IC₅₀ 6.35 µM) and compound 5 the highest anti-proliferative activity on HepG-2 cells (IC₅₀ 42.9 µM). The new diterpene, sphaerodactylomelol (1), induced inhibition of cell proliferation (IC₅₀ 280 µM) and cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ 720 µM) on HepG-2 cells and showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (IC₅₀ 96.3 µM).     

Entry Inhibition of Influenza Viruses with High Mannose Binding Lectin ESA-2 from the Red Alga Eucheuma serra through the Recognition of Viral Hemagglutinin

Lectin sensitivity of the recent pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1-2009) was screened for 12 lectins with various carbohydrate specificity by a neutral red dye uptake assay with MDCK cells. Among them, a high mannose (HM)-binding anti-HIV lectin, ESA-2 from the red alga Eucheuma serra, showed the highest inhibition against infection with an EC₅₀ of 12.4 nM. Moreover, ESA-2 exhibited a wide range of antiviral spectrum against various influenza strains with EC₅₀s of pico molar to low nanomolar levels. Besides ESA-2, HM-binding plant lectin ConA, fucose-binding lectins such as fungal AOL from Aspergillus oryzae and AAL from Aleuria aurantia were active against H1N1-2009, but the potency of inhibition was of less magnitude compared with ESA-2. Direct interaction between ESA-2 and a viral envelope glycoprotein, hemagglutinin (HA), was demonstrated by ELISA assay. This interaction was effectively suppressed by glycoproteins bearing HM-glycans, indicating that ESA-2 binds to the HA of influenza virus through HM-glycans. Upon treatment with ESA-2, no viral antigens were detected in the host cells, indicating that ESA-2 inhibited the initial steps of virus entry into the cells. ESA-2 would thus be useful as a novel microbicide to prevent penetration of viruses such as HIV and influenza viruses to the host cells.     

Floridoside Extracted from the Red Alga Mastocarpus stellatus Is a Potent Activator of the Classical Complement Pathway

Many biological properties of algae have been found to have useful applications in human health, particularly in the fields of oncology and immunology. Floridoside, extracted from the red alga Mastocarpus stellatus, has a structure similar to the xenoantigen Gal alpha 1–3 Gal. This xenoantigen has been described to induce a high immune response in human xenografts and is mediated by natural anti-gal antibodies that activate the classical complement pathway. Based on this property, we analyzed the potential activities of floridoside on the immune system. We demonstrated that floridoside activates a complement cascade via the classical complement pathway, through the recruitment and activation of natural IgM. This algal molecule could represent an important step in the development of a potent new anticomplementary agent for use in therapeutic complement depletion.     

三亚红沙港环境特征及赤潮生物调查

2006年和2007年对三亚红沙港的自然环境概况、污染物来源和养殖状况及赤潮生物进行调查分析,为热带港湾赤潮可持续防控研究提供依据.结果表明:三亚红沙港是一个典型的热带半封闭型港湾;沿岸地表径流很少;污染物来源有养殖污染、生活污染和船舶污染,网箱养殖污染和沿岸池塘养殖污染是红沙港海域污染的主要来源;该海域赤潮生物种类非常丰富,共38种,主要种类为硅藻和甲藻,硅藻占68%,甲藻占26%;浮游植物主要优势种为骨条藻(Skeletonema sp.)和角毛藻(Chaetoceros sp.).该海域丰富的赤潮生物种类构成了该海域赤潮发生的潜在因素.     

Characterization of Antioxidant Activity of Heated Mycosporine-like Amino Acids from Red Alga Dulse Palmaria palmata in Japan

We recently demonstrated the monthly variation and antioxidant activity of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) from red alga dulse in Japan. The antioxidant activity of MAAs in acidic conditions was low compared to that in neutral and alkali conditions, but we found strong antioxidant activity from the heated crude MAA fraction in acidic conditions. In this study, we identified and characterized the key compounds involved in the antioxidant activity of this fraction. We first isolated two MAAs, palythine, and porphyra-334, from the fraction and evaluated the activities of the two MAAs when heated. MAAs possess absorption maxima at around 330 nm, while the heated MAAs lost this absorption. The heated MAAs showed a high ABTS radical scavenging activity at pH 5.8–8.0. We then determined the structure of heated palythine via ESI-MS and NMR analyses and speculated about the putative antioxidant mechanism. Finally, a suitable production condition of the heated compounds was determined at 120 °C for 30 min at pH 8.0. We revealed compounds from red algae with antioxidant activities at a wide range of pH values, and this information will be useful for the functional processing of food.     

红壤蔗区土壤有效态氮、磷、钾的空间变异

在面积约24km^2的低丘红壤蔗区中,测定了土壤表层175个土样的土壤有效态氮、磷、钾的含量,结果表明其平均含量都较高,变异系数都为中等变异强度.地统计学分析表明,各养分项目都存在中等到极强程度的空间相关性.Kriging方法生成的养分含量分布图显示,各养分项目在研究区域的空间分布上存在较大的差异,反映了局部空间的养分分布状况,可为甘蔗的精准施肥管理提供依据.     

我国热带作物多主棒孢种群多样性及致病力分化分析

多主棒孢（Corynespora cassiicola）是一种全球分布的重要植物病原真菌,寄主范围十分广泛。近年来,该病原菌侵染危害多种热带作物,并在局部地区大面积暴发流行,造成巨大的经济损失。本研究利用核糖体转录间隔区（Internal transcribed spacer, ITS）、翻译延伸因子（translation elongation factor 1 alpha, EF-1α）、β微管蛋白（β-Tubulin, TUB）,对来自橡胶树、木薯、番木瓜和瓜菜等多种热带作物的70株多主棒孢进行种群多样性分析。结果发现,利用最大似然法,在相似系数为0.97时可将供试菌株划分为两大遗传类群：类群Ⅰ为国内和一些国外橡胶树的多主棒孢;类群Ⅱ为其他寄主多主棒孢,遗传类群与寄主来源具有显著的相关性。致病力测定表明,多主棒孢种内致病力分化明显,类群Ⅰ的橡胶树多主棒孢仅能侵染橡胶树,不能侵染其他寄主,具有明显的寄主专化性,且不同地理来源的菌株致病力差异不显著。类群Ⅱ的多主棒孢在不同寄主间可以相互侵染,但菌株在致病力和发病症状上存在一定差异,表现出对其原寄主的高度致病力。多基因序列聚类分析与致病力分化分析结果具有较好的一致性,这为研究我国热带作物多主棒孢的种群结构、主要致病型以及为多主棒孢病害的发生、流行和防治提供了理论依据。     

广西红壤区甘蔗根际土壤丛枝菌根真菌种类的 18S rDNA 基 因序列分析鉴定及多样性分析

为探明广西红壤区甘蔗根际土壤丛枝菌根（Arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM）真菌多样性特点,本研究通过 18S rDNA 基因序列分析对来自广西红壤蔗区 33 个样地的甘蔗根系和根际土壤样品的 AM 真菌种属进行了鉴定,并分析了 土壤理化性质对 AM 真菌侵染率和多样性的影响。结果表明：3 类红壤类土壤中,赤红壤的根外菌丝量、根内菌丝和 丛枝平均侵染率最高,分别为 13.59%、24.18%、1.29%;砖红壤的泡囊平均侵染率最高,为 19.17%。所构建的 AM 真 菌克隆文库中共发现了 24 个 OTU,分别属于 AM 真菌的 7 科 12 属 24 种,其中球囊霉科含 5 属 10 种,多样孢囊霉科 含 1 属 2 种、无梗囊霉科含 1 属 1 种、巨孢囊霉科含 2 属 2 种,近明囊霉科含 1 属 5 种,原囊霉科和类球囊霉科各含 1 属 2 种;3 类土壤的优势科和优势属分别为球囊霉科和根生囊霉属。红壤的 AM 真菌物种丰富度和香浓维纳指数最高, 砖红壤最低。3 类土壤的理化因子与 AM 真菌的物种丰富度均无显著相关。3 类土壤的根内菌丝侵染率与 pH 值均呈正 相关,与有机质、总氮及有效磷含量呈负相关。     

Indole Alkaloids of the Stigonematales (Cyanophyta): Chemical Diversity,Biosynthesis and Biological Activity

The cyanobacteria are well recognized as producers of a wide array of bioactive metabolites including toxins, and potential drug candidates. However, a limited number of taxa are generally considered with respect to both of these aspects. That said, the order Stigonematales, although largely overlooked in this regard, has become increasingly recognized as a source of bioactive metabolites relevant to both human and environmental health. In particular, the hapalindoles and related indole alkaloids (i.e., ambiguines, fischerindoles, welwitindolinones) from the order, represent a diverse, and phylogenetically characteristic, class of secondary metabolites with biological activity suggestive of potential as both environmental toxins, and promising drug discovery leads. The present review gives an overview of the chemical diversity of biologically active metabolites from the Stigonematales—and particularly the so-called hapalindole-type alkaloids—including their biosynthetic origins, and their pharmacologically and toxicologically relevant bioactivities. Taken together, the current evidence suggests that these alkaloids, and the associated cyanobacterial taxa from the order, warrant future consideration as both potentially harmful (i.e., “toxic”) algae, and as promising leads for drug discovery.     

Induction of Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Leukemia U937 Cells by C18 Hydroxy Unsaturated Fatty Acid Isolated from Red Alga Tricleocarpa jejuensis

Our previous studies have found that (±)-(E)-12-hydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acid (HOEA) isolated from the red alga Tricleocarpa jejuensis showed cytotoxic effects on various living organisms including harmful microalgae, Gram-positive bacteria, and mammalian tumor cells. Since natural products with apoptosis-inducing ability can be promising anti-cancer agents, in this study, we investigated the cytotoxic mechanism of HOEA on U937 cells focusing on apoptosis induction. HOEA showed much stronger cytotoxic and cytolytic effects on U937 cells than elaidic acid, which has similar structure but no 12-hydroxy group, suggesting that hydroxy group is important for the cytotoxicity of HOEA. HOEA induced apoptotic nuclear morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, and decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, time-dependent increase in annexin V+/PI+ cell population in HOEA-treated U937 cells was detected. Among the apoptosis-related reagents, caspase-family inhibitor almost completely inhibited HOEA-induced DNA fragmentation. In the analyses using specific caspase-substrates, extremely high cleavage activity toward caspase-3/7/8 substrate was observed in HOEA-treated U937 cells, and weak activities of caspase-1 and -3 were detected. Analyses using specific caspase inhibitors suggested that caspase-3 and caspase-8 might be predominantly responsible for the cleavage activity. Activation of these caspases were also confirmed by western blotting in which significant levels of cleaved forms of caspase 3, caspase 8, and PARP were detected in HOEA-treated U937 cells. Our results suggest that HOEA is capable of inducing apoptosis in U937 cells in which caspase-3 and caspase-8 might play important roles. Since the cytotoxic effect of HOEA is not strictly specific to tumor cells, development of appropriate drug delivery system for selective tumor targeting is necessary for the clinical applications to reduce the possible side effects.     

Polar Lipids Composition,Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Atlantic Red Seaweed Grateloupia turuturu

Grateloupia turuturu Yamada, 1941, is a red seaweed widely used for food in Japan and Korea which was recorded on the Atlantic Coast of Europe about twenty years ago. This seaweed presents eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in its lipid fraction, a feature that sparked the interest on its potential applications. In seaweeds, PUFAs are mostly esterified to polar lipids, emerging as healthy phytochemicals. However, to date, these biomolecules are still unknown for G. turuturu. The present work aimed to identify the polar lipid profile of G. turuturu, using modern lipidomics approaches based on high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The health benefits of polar lipids were identified by health lipid indices and the assessment of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The polar lipids profile identified from G. turuturu included 205 lipid species distributed over glycolipids, phospholipids, betaine lipids and phosphosphingolipids, which featured a high number of lipid species with EPA and PUFAs. The nutritional value of G. turuturu has been shown by its protein content, fatty acyl composition and health lipid indices, thus confirming G. turuturu as an alternative source of protein and lipids. Some of the lipid species assigned were associated to biological activity, as polar lipid extracts showed antioxidant activity evidenced by free radical scavenging potential for the 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS^●+) radical (IC₅₀ ca. 130.4 μg mL⁻¹) and for the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^●) radical (IC₂₅ ca. 129.1 μg mL⁻¹) and anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme (IC₅₀ ca. 33 µg mL⁻¹). Both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were detected using a low concentration of extracts. This integrative approach contributes to increase the knowledge of G. turuturu as a species capable of providing nutrients and bioactive molecules with potential applications in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries.     

New Insights on the Terpenome of the Red Seaweed Laurencia dendroidea (Florideophyceae,Rhodophyta)

The red seaweeds belonging to the genus Laurencia are well known as halogenated secondary metabolites producers, mainly terpenoids and acetogennins. Several of these chemicals exhibit important ecological roles and biotechnological applications. However, knowledge regarding the genes involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds is still very limited. We detected 20 different genes involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoid precursors, and 21 different genes coding for terpene synthases that are responsible for the chemical modifications of the terpenoid precursors, resulting in a high diversity of carbon chemical skeletons. In addition, we demonstrate through molecular and cytochemical approaches the occurrence of the mevalonate pathway involved in the biosynthesis of terpenes in L. dendroidea. This is the first report on terpene synthase genes in seaweeds, enabling further studies on possible heterologous biosynthesis of terpenes from L. dendroidea exhibiting ecological or biotechnological interest.     

福建县级区域耕地土壤养分时空变异研究

运用地理信息系统和地统计学相结合的方法,研究福建沿海县级区域耕地土壤主要养分指标——有机质、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾的空间变异规律,并按照肥力指标法对耕层土壤进行养分分级。结果表明,空间上,从县级区域耕层土壤分析,不同地块土壤养分含量变化差异大;空间变异结构也存在较大差异,晋江速效养分表现为结构性因素影响,而闽侯表现为结构性因素和随机性因素共同作用;建立了土壤养分空间分布图,分析其空间分布规律;按照肥力等级划分,该区域耕地氮素表现为部分区域缺乏,钾素大部分区域严重亏缺,磷素大部分区域盈余;时间上,以土壤速效磷为例,与20世纪80年代第2次土壤普查资料对照,其含量有所增长,从农田养分平衡角度也证实了该区域大部分耕地土壤累积磷素。     

海南中部丘陵区热带次生林物种多样性及区系分析

为弥补海南中部热带雨林区到滨海台地区的过渡地带丘陵区次生林群落物种多样性及区系研究的空缺,为海南中部丘陵地区次生林种子植物区系组成和恢复该地区物种多样性及保育提供理论依据,采用典型抽样法选取海南屯昌丘陵区不同类型次生林,对植物群落的物种多样性、区系地理成分进行调查研究。结果显示调查样地内共有维管植物87科201属267种,其中,蕨类植物3科3属4种,裸子植物2科2属2种,被子植物82科196属261种。群落的优势科为大戟科、茜草科、豆科、蔷薇科、梧桐科及樟科等。分析结果表明,该区种子植物区系起源古老,地理成分复杂,87个科中,世界分布、热带分布、温带分布的科分别有20、59和8个,显示明显的热带性质特征。200个属中,世界分布、热带分布、温带分布的属分别有1、169和30个,种类组成的科、属地理成分热带成分分别为67.81%和84.50%(不包括世界广布的科属),温带成分分别为9.10%和15.00%,表明以热带分布为主。群落垂直结构分为乔木层、灌木层和草本层,物种多样性指数显示,Margalef指数表现出灌木层最大,其次是乔木层、草本层;Shannon-Wiener指数表现为灌木层最大,其次是草本层和乔木层;Simpson指数是灌木层最大,其次是草本层、乔木层;Pielou指数则表现出草本层最大,灌木层其次,乔木层最小。      

红光萎凋对茶叶挥发性成分及其成品红茶品质的影响

红光萎凋有助于茶叶香气的形成,然而,不同红光光质对萎凋茶叶挥发性成分及其成品红茶品质的影响有待研究.采用顶空固相微萃取-气相色谱-质谱联用法,对无光、红光(630 nm,1000 lx、3000 lx)、自然光(260～325 lx)等光照处理萎凋叶的挥发性成分进行了分析,并研究了不同光照处理下萎凋叶挥发性成分及红光萎...     

近20年海南岛土壤有机碳时空变异

为探明海南土壤有机碳变化规律,以海南岛表层土壤有机碳为研究对象,在收集调查相关历史资料的基础上,采集土壤样品并测定其土壤有机碳含量,利用ArcGIS空间分析模块,分析1980s～2000s海南土壤有机碳时空变异特征并探讨其主要影响因素。结果表明,1980s和2000s海南表层土壤有机碳含量变幅为2.90～93.74 g/kg和0.25～44.67 g/kg,表层土壤有机碳含量总体呈下降趋势,全岛平均下降了5.86 g/kg。按土壤有机碳等级划分标准,1980s时期海南土壤有机碳主要分布在3、4级,而在2000s期间主要分布在4、5级,表明海南土壤有机碳含量低的分布面积逐渐增大,而高含量的土壤分布面积在减小。在海南特殊的气候条件下,降水量和温度显著影响土壤有机碳含量;土壤有机碳的空间变异性主要受降水量和土壤初始有机碳含量及土地利用方式的影响;再加上人为活动频繁,加剧了土壤有机碳含量的下降。为了海南农业生产的可持续发展,遏止海南土壤有机碳含量进一步降低,大力提倡秸秆还田,增施有机肥,采用保护性耕作措施是海南省土地使用管理的当务之急。     

Climate Variability and Oceanographic Settings Associated with Interannual Variability in the Initiation of Dinophysis acuminata Blooms

In 2012, there were exceptional blooms of D. acuminata in early spring in what appeared to be a mesoscale event affecting Western Iberia and the Bay of Biscay. The objective of this work was to identify common climatic patterns to explain the observed anomalies in two important aquaculture sites, the Galician Rías Baixas (NW Spain) and Arcachon Bay (SW France). Here, we examine climate variability through physical-biological couplings, Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies and time of initiation of the upwelling season and its intensity over several decades. In 2012, the mesoscale features common to the two sites were positive anomalies in SST and unusual wind patterns. These led to an atypical predominance of upwelling in winter in the Galician Rías, and increased haline stratification associated with a southward advection of the Gironde plume in Arcachon Bay. Both scenarios promoted an early phytoplankton growth season and increased stability that enhanced D. acuminata growth. Therefore, a common climate anomaly caused exceptional blooms of D. acuminata in two distant regions through different triggering mechanisms. These results increase our capability to predict intense diarrhetic shellfish poisoning outbreaks in the early spring from observations in the preceding winter.