Thraustochytrids attract biotechnological interest because of their ability to synthesize carotenoids and lipids rich in long-chain omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids: specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids can be found among the different lipid classes. In this work, the effects of initial glucose concentration on the growth and the content of lipids and carotenoids in Thraustochytrium sp. RT2316-16 were determined. The fatty acid composition of the neutral and phospholipid fractions was compared. Results obtained in shake flasks showed that increasing the initial glucose concentration from 5 to 20 g L−1 did not affect the growth rate during the first 24 h but increased the maximum biomass concentration 1.4-fold (from 6.3 to 8.6 g L−1) and the carotenoid concentration 1.9-fold while reducing the percentages of EPA and DHA in total fatty acids. DHA was one of the major fatty acids in the phospholipids (37–42% of total fatty acids). The extraction of total lipids from the dry biomass with supercritical CO2 (SCC) had a low yield (59 mg (g DW)−1; 34% of the extraction yield attained with the Bligh and Dyer method). However, when ethanol was used as the co-solvent (SCC-E), the extraction of phospholipids (343 ± 17 mg (g extract)−1) and carotenoids was improved. The composition of the fatty acids in the lipid extracts depended on the lipid extraction method (SCC, SCC-E, Soxhlet with hexane, or the Bligh and Dyer method).
Seaweed Palmaria palmata has gained attention recently as a potential feed ingredient for livestock due to its high nitrogen content and higher digestibility. However, P. palmata has a high fiber content, which can be difficult to digest by monogastric animals. The aim of this experiment was to determine the optimal dose of xylanase for maximum release of potential prebiotics (xylooligosaccharides (XOS)) from the fiber matrix of P. palmata. Five xylanase dosages were tested: no xylanase (NX), the manufacturer-recommended dosage (1X), and two times (2X), three times (3X), or four times (4X) the manufacturer-recommended dosage in a simulated in vitro digestion experiment. Samples were analyzed for fiber as non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), and the oligosaccharide profiles were determined by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). P. palmata contained high levels of total NSP (44.0%), primarily as soluble xylan, while wheat bran contained mainly insoluble arabinoxylan. Increasing xylanase dose beyond 1X increased XOS release, with the highest concentration observed at 3X (p < 0.001). In conclusion, xylanase improved degradation and promoted generation of potentially prebiotic XOS from P. palmata, highlighting its potential as a functional ingredient in pig diets.
Marine natural products can show biological activity while remaining difficult to identify, reproduce, or obtain in sufficient quantity. This critical narrative review examines that mismatch and proposes a linked record for each exact chemical entity-indication pair. The documented evaluation stage (E1–E4) records computational, in vitro, animal, or human evaluation; the production/access stage (S1–S5) records physical access, an executed laboratory route, controlled pilot production, good manufacturing practice (GMP) clinical manufacture, or established commercial manufacture. Neither coordinate measures therapeutic merit, evidence strength, sustainability, or probability of success. Computational contribution (C), study quality, evidence direction, identity status, regulatory status, and scenario-specific supply adequacy remain separate. Seven purposively selected case lineages illustrate parent-derivative distinctions, computation-linked isolation, untested nominations, later synthesis, and unresolved assay-material identity. Cynthichlorine illustrates incomplete production reporting, while incompletely matched meridianin mixtures remain outside the joint matrix. A calculation comparing reported (+)-aeroplysinin-1 output with an explicitly defined assay requirement makes the supply question concrete without claiming that the scenario was performed. Borderline coding examples and stricter category rules support future independent application. No inter-rater assessment or prospective decision-impact study was performed; the proposal remains unvalidated. Its intended contribution is an auditable connection between evidence, material, and the next proposed experiment, rather than a readiness score.
Beach-cast Posidonia oceanica represents an abundant Mediterranean marine biomass that is commonly perceived as coastal waste, despite its potential value within circular bioeconomy strategies. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of a hydroethanolic extract obtained from beach-cast P. oceanica biomass (POE). The extract was chemically profiled by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS and evaluated through spectrophotometric antioxidant assays, including total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, reducing power, ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging assays. Its ability to protect plasmid DNA from oxidative damage was also assessed. Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages by evaluating cell viability, intracellular ROS production, NO release, iNOS and COX-2 expression, NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and MAPK phosphorylation. POE showed measurable phenolic and flavonoid contents, moderate antioxidant capacity and protection against H2O2/Fe2+-induced plasmid DNA damage. UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed a complex metabolite profile, with 156 annotated compounds distributed across 20 chemical classes. In macrophages, POE was not cytotoxic at 50 and 100 µg/mL and significantly reduced LPS-induced ROS and NO production. These effects were accompanied by decreased iNOS and COX-2 expression, inhibition of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and reduced phosphorylation of p38, ERK and JNK. In addition, POE showed no detectable cytotoxicity in NIH3T3 fibroblasts up to 10 mg/mL and no mutagenic activity in the Ames MPF™ assay using TA98 and TA100 strains, either in the absence or presence of metabolic activation. Overall, this exploratory study suggests that beach-cast P. oceanica retains bioactive properties, although further studies incorporating standardized collection protocols and quantitative chemical characterization will help clarify its potential for sustainable valorisation.
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive neuronal dysfunction driven by interconnected mechanisms, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, and impaired protein homeostasis. Marine-derived proteins and peptides represent promising sources of multifunctional neuroprotective agents; however, the neuroprotective potential of gastrointestinal digestion-derived peptides from Holothuria scabra remains poorly characterized. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of a gastrointestinal digest of H. scabra inner-wall proteins (IWD), a mixture of digestion-derived peptides, in an OA-induced SH-SY5Y cell model. The original protein extract (IW) was characterized by LC–MS/MS and PANTHER, while IWD-derived peptides were profiled by LC–MS/MS and evaluated using in silico bioactivity and ADMET prediction. In vitro, IWD pretreatment significantly attenuated OA-induced neuronal injury by reducing intracellular ROS accumulation while preserving cell viability and neuronal morphology; 5 μg/mL showed the strongest protective effect. Proteomic analysis identified STMN1 as a major discriminator associated with neuronal structural adaptation, while RPS27A and RPLP2 were associated with translational regulation. HSPB1, HSP90AB1, and PARK7 emerged as additional candidate proteins related to cellular stress responses and homeostasis. Integrated proteomic and network analyses further highlighted proteins associated with ribosomal function, RNA processing, and proteostasis. These findings suggest that IWD-associated neuroprotection involves coordinated changes in neuronal structure and cellular maintenance pathways, supporting further validation of H. scabra-derived peptides as potential neuroprotective candidates.
