Review
Plant Sciences
Michael Borg, Stacy A. Krueger-Hadfield, Christophe Destombe, Jonas Collen, Agnieszka Lipinska, Susana M. Coelho
Summary: Rhodophyta (or red algae) are a diverse group with small intron-poor genomes, a lack of motility-related cytoskeletal structures, and a highly efficient photosynthetic capacity. Despite their ecological, evolutionary, and commercial importance, red macroalgae have been understudied. With the increasing availability of red algal genome sequences, this overview anticipates that research in various domains of red algal biology will be accelerated in the future.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sun-Hwa Nam, Youn-Joo An
Summary: This review focuses on current toxicological studies of microalgae assessed in soil-related media, suggests standardizing soil algal toxicity test methods in future research, and highlights the potential of soil algae as new test species for soil toxicity assessment.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Zhang, Ai-Jun Miao, Ning-Xin Wang, Chengjun Li, Jun Sha, Jianbo Jia, Daniel S. Alessi, Bing Yan, Yong Sik Ok
Summary: This review evaluates the processes of dissolved uptake, dietary assimilation, biotransformation, and elimination of arsenic in aquatic organisms and discusses the factors influencing these processes. It contributes to our understanding of the environmental behavior and biological fate of arsenic and helps regulate the environmental risk posed by arsenic pollution.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Eunjin Byeon, Hye-Min Kang, Cheolho Yoon, Jae-Seong Lee
Summary: Arsenic, a toxic metalloid, is widely distributed in aquatic environments predominantly in its inorganic form, with its acute and chronic toxicities being dependent on its chemical speciation and concentration. While biotransformation mechanisms and speciation of arsenic have been studied, further research is needed on the relationships among speciation, toxicity, and bioavailability in biological systems.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
N. Soeren Haefker, Gabriele Andreatta, Alessandro Manzotti, Angela Falciatore, Florian Raible, Kristin Tessmar-Raible
Summary: The rhythms of marine life, spanning short and long periods, regulate individual physiology and behavior, as well as interactions with the environment. This review highlights examples of rhythmicity in marine animals and algae, and introduces fundamental concepts of chronobiology. It emphasizes the importance of studying diverse rhythms and oscillators for predicting species' responses to environmental perturbations.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Maria Carpena, Cristina Caleja, Eliana Pereira, Carla Pereira, Ana Ciric, Marina Sokovic, Anton Soria-Lopez, Maria Fraga-Corral, Jesus Simal-Gandara, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros, Miguel A. Prieto
Summary: This study determined the nutritional composition and bioactivities of three typical red algae from the Northwest of Spain, showing their potential as a source of non-animal protein for human diet. The results confirmed the good antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the algae, with HAE identified as the most efficient extraction technique for maximizing the target compounds.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Marwah Ahmed Alsharif, Rania Saleh Alqurashi, Aishah Alatawi, Taymour A. Hamdalla, Saleem I. Qashou, S. Alfadhli, Hossein Bayahia, Lamiaa G. Alharbe, A. A. A. Darwish
Summary: Scientists have recently become interested in using biochar made from natural sources to improve various photovoltaic technologies. In this study, a mixture of Zinc-Bis-8-hydroxyquinoline (Zn-Hq2) and 10% biochar obtained from red sea microalgae was used as a photoactive layer in a solar cell. The analysis showed that the addition of biochar improved the rectifying characteristics, increased the current density and voltage at the maximum power point, and significantly enhanced the fill factor and power conversion efficiency. These findings demonstrate the positive effects of microalgae-derived biochar and suggest potential applications in solar cells.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xiaomiao Zang, Zhiming Yu, Wenbin Jiang, Xiuxian Song, Xihua Cao
Summary: The study explored the dosage-effectiveness of modified clay (MC) in removing red tide organisms. The results showed that the effectiveness of MC for microalgae removal first increased and then decreased due to self-flocculation. A mathematical model based on the extended Langmuir model was able to simulate the dosage-effectiveness of MC and deduce the quantitative relationship between MC dosage and self-flocculation. These findings will contribute to the flocculation theory of MC application and provide guidance for efficient red tide control.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Cheri C. Choi, Robert C. Ford
Summary: ABC transporters are widely present across all realms of life. While it was traditionally believed that eukaryotic ABC transporters serve as exporters, recent studies show the presence of ECF-type ABC importers in algae and plants. There is evidence suggesting that bacterial Type I and Type II ABC importers may have evolved into eukaryotic ABCJ and ABCK transporters, respectively.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jojo Tibon, Heidi Amlund, Ana Gomez-Delgado, Marc H. G. Berntssen, Marta S. Silva, Martin Wiech, Jens J. Sloth, Veronika Sele
Summary: This study conducted detailed arsenic speciation analysis of mesopelagic organisms in Norwegian fjords, revealing that the dominant form was the nontoxic arsenobetaine, while considerable fractions of potentially toxic arsenolipids were found in the biomass.
Article
Biology
Uara Carrillo, Veronica Diaz-Villanueva
Summary: Volcanic eruptions have serious physical and chemical impacts on freshwater environments and organisms, including increased water turbidity and concentrations of inorganic elements. Bacterial growth is typically stimulated, while autotrophs can be either positively or negatively affected. Research also highlights the importance of understanding the effects of eruptions on different types of freshwater organisms, such as biofilms in streams and invertebrates and fish in lakes.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
John B. Connolly, Joerg Romeis, Yann Devos, Debora C. M. Glandorf, Geoff Turner, Mamadou B. Coulibaly
Summary: Engineered gene drives are being developed to control mosquito malaria vectors by biasing their own inheritance in target populations. Vertical gene drive transfer to sibling species is biologically plausible due to the complex hybridization between vector and nonvector species. Assessing the environmental risks of gene drive use in species complexes requires nuanced considerations of target and nontarget organisms. Incorporating the concept of target species complexes offers more flexibility in assessing potential impacts from vertical gene drive transfer.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jussi Lehtonen, Yusuke Horinouchi, Tatsuya Togashi, Geoff A. Parker
Summary: The paper discusses theoretical and empirical research on anisogamy, as well as the phenomenon of parthenogenetic gametes observed in green algae. The study finds that under conditions of efficient fertilization, parthenogenetic gametes do not significantly alter classical GD model results; however, under gamete-limited conditions, anisogamy may not evolve easily, potentially leading to the evolution of large isogamy.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hajare Errati, Sanae Krimi Bencheqroun, Rachid Aboutayeb, Zhor Abail, Salim Lebbar, Khadija Dari, Lahoucine Hilali
Summary: The residue of Gelidium sesquipedale, a red algae, was found to have potential as an organic fertilizer and soil amendment. Incubation tests showed that the residue released nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium effectively in the soil. The residue resulted in a high fertilization efficiency and enhanced crop growth in both strawberry and corn. Additionally, it improved the organic matter content and the concentration of essential elements in the soil.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mehdi Bibak, Saeid Tahmasebi, Masoud Sattari
Summary: This study investigated the use of image analysis to assess the absorption capacity of macroalgae for metals and compared it with fish bioaccumulation. Empirical cumulative entropy (ECE) and empirical negative cumulative extropy (ENCEX) were used as newly introduced information-based indices. The results showed that macroalgae have higher absorption capacity for metals compared to other algae, and image analysis can help identify macroalgae with high absorption capacity without the need for laboratory examinations.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Claire Laguionie-Marchais, A. Louise Allcock, Bill J. Baker, Ellie-Ann Conneely, Sarah G. Dietrick, Fiona Kearns, Kate McKeever, Ryan M. Young, Connor A. Sierra, Sylvia Soldatou, H. Lee Woodcock, Mark P. Johnson
Summary: Phylum Cnidaria is an important source of natural products, and this study explored the potential of these products using a systematic approach. The results showed that Cnidaria natural products have overlapping chemical space with drugs and toxins, but there are also some differences. In terms of drug-likeness measures, Cnidaria natural products have lower scores than drugs, but considering predicted toxicity, they show more potential. Contrasting different drug similarity measures can help summarize the drug potential in the Cnidaria natural product data set.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeffrey A. van Santen, Ella F. Poynton, Dasha Iskakova, Emily McMann, Tyler A. Alsup, Trevor N. Clark, Claire H. Fergusson, David P. Fewer, Alison H. Hughes, Caitlin A. McCadden, Jonathan Parra, Sylvia Soldatou, Jeffrey D. Rudolf, Elisabeth M-L Janssen, Katherine R. Duncan, Roger G. Linington
Summary: This paper reports the release of a new version of the Natural Products Atlas database, which includes a large number of new compounds and significant upgrades. In addition to adding detailed descriptions of microbial taxa and chemical ontology terms, manual curation and data integration were carried out to improve the user experience.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nicole E. Avalon, Jordan Nafie, Carolina De Marco Verissimo, Luke C. Warrensford, Sarah G. Dietrick, Amanda R. Pittman, Ryan M. Young, Fiona L. Kearns, Tracess Smalley, Jennifer M. Binning, John P. Dalton, Mark P. Johnson, H. Lee Woodcock, A. Louise Allcock, Bill J. Baker
Summary: A new molecule, Tuaimenal A, was discovered in the previously unexplored soft coral Duva florida from cold water benthic environments. It has a highly substituted chromene core and a new carbon scaffold. Functional assays and in silico docking experiments confirmed that Tuaimenal A selectively inhibits the viral main protease (3CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Review
Fisheries
Adam L. K. Yeap, Cecilia de Souza Valente, Finnian Hartnett, Ellie-Ann Conneely, Majbritt Bolton-Warberg, Simon J. Davies, Mark P. Johnson, Alex H. L. Wan
Summary: Palinurids, also known as spiny lobsters, are high-value seafood, which is economically important for many European and Asian seafood trades. The reduction of wild European spiny lobster populations creates a need for developing alternative strategies such as aquaculture. Palinurus elephas shows promise as a suitable candidate for commercial culture and stock enhancement due to its shorter larval periods and rapid growth. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge that need to be addressed, and further research is needed to make its aquaculture viable.
REVIEWS IN AQUACULTURE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Mark P. Johnson
Summary: Macroalgal canopies play a crucial role in coastal food webs and carbon sequestration. The PhycoCanopy model allows for the exploration of how different factors affect net canopy photosynthesis and provides predictions of net photosynthesis.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kumar Saurav, Alessia Caso, Petra Urajova, Pavel Hrouzek, Germana Esposito, Katerina Delawska, Marketa Macho, Jan Hajek, Jose Cheel, Subhasish Saha, Petra Divoka, Sila Arsin, Kaarina Sivonen, David P. Fewer, Valeria Costantino
Summary: PUW and MIN are structurally homologous cyclic lipopeptides with antifungal and cytotoxic activities, where the variation in fatty acid substitutions influences the cytotoxicity of the compounds. Different substitutions on the fatty acid moiety of PUW/MIN variants lead to varying degrees of cytotoxicity. A 63 kb puwainaphycin biosynthetic gene cluster was identified in the N. harveyana strain UHCC-0300, indicating the presence of specific lipoinitiation mechanisms and enzymes for modifying the fatty acid moiety.
Article
Biology
Maryam Abidizadegan, Jaanika Blomster, David Fewer, Elina Peltomaa
Summary: In recent decades, the demand for natural and sustainable bioproducts has increased. Microalgae, with their industrial potential, have attracted much attention as promising biological resources. This study investigated the effect of light color and species-specific capability of cryptophyte algae to produce biochemical compounds. The results showed that changes in light quality significantly affect the biochemical compositions of cryptophyte algae, and species-specific responses to different light qualities were identified. The study also found that the derived biomolecules from cryptophytes had remarkable antioxidant activity, indicating that cryptophytes could be considered as potential candidates for producing beneficial biochemical compounds.
Article
Plant Sciences
Joshua T. Welsch, Ryan M. Young, A. Louise Allcock, Mark P. Johnson, Bill J. Baker
Summary: Four undescribed sesquiterpenoids, crannenols A-D (1-4), have been isolated and identified from a deep-sea bamboo coral, providing new insights into the study of this species. The structure elucidation of these compounds was achieved through a combination of various analytical techniques.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Amir Akhgari, Bikash Baral, Arina Koroleva, Vilja Siitonen, David P. Fewer, Charles E. Melancon, Jani Rahkila, Mikko Metsa-Ketela
Summary: This study introduces a reporter-guided metabolic engineering tool based on random mutagenesis, selective pressure, and single-cell sorting for actinomycetes. It enables the identification of high-performing individual cells from mutant populations and has been successfully applied to strain development and drug discovery. The method allows for the activation of silent metabolic pathways and increased yields of proteins and natural products.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Pilar Diaz-Tapia, Ivan Rodriguez-Bujan, Christine A. Maggs, Heroen Verbruggen
Summary: This study combines molecular and morphological analyses to study red algal taxa. It finds that populations of Symphyocladiella parasitica from northern and southern Europe represent different species. A new species, Symphyocladiella arecina sp. nov., is proposed for samples from southern Europe, and a new genus, Deltalsia, is proposed for the British samples.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kevin R. Thiele, Wendy L. Applequist, Susanne S. Renner, Tom W. May, Ali A. Donmez, Quentin Groom, Samuli Lehtonen, Christine A. Maggs, Valery Malecot, Hwan Su Yoon
Summary: The Special-purpose Committee was established at the XIX International Botanical Congress in 2017 to investigate the possibility of using DNA sequences as types in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. This paper provides background information, explores key issues related to typification, discusses the pros and cons of allowing DNA sequences as types, and suggests options for future discussion and recommendations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claudia Clemente, Nicholas Johnson, Xiaodan Ouyang, Rafael Popin, Sergio Dall'Angelo, Matti Wahlsten, Jouni Jokela, Alessandro Colombano, Brunello Nardone, David P. Fewer, Wael E. Houssen
Summary: The prenyl-D-Arg-containing autum-nalamide A is identified as a member of the cyanobactin family, and the AutF prenyltransferase can target the guanidinium moiety in arginine and homoarginine, making it a useful tool for biotechnological applications.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
L. M. P. Heinila, J. Jokela, M. N. Ahmed, M. Wahlsten, S. Kumar, P. Hrouzek, P. Permi, H. Koistinen, D. P. Fewer, K. Sivonen
Summary: This study reports the discovery of novel natural products called varlaxins, members of the aeruginosin family. The chemical structures of varlaxins 1046A and 1022A were determined, and they were found to strongly inhibit human serine proteases.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
C. M. Bolton, N. Muller, J. Hyland, M. P. Johnson, C. Souza Valente, S. J. Davies, A. H. L. Wan
Summary: The study evaluated the feasibility of including reared black soldier fly larvae into rainbow trout diets, with results showing that the inclusion of BSF did not affect growth performance but increased muscle yellowness and reduced lipid peroxidation. BSF meal increased the saturated fatty acid content while decreasing monounsaturated fatty acids in trout fillets. The addition of protease enzyme with BSF in the diet improved protein utilisation efficiency in rainbow trout.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mark P. Johnson
Summary: The expansion of aquaculture faces challenges related to sustainable resource use and environmental change, with different farm types experiencing varying impacts, constraints, and pressures. Production efficiencies can drive farms towards homogeneity, but interventions can incentivize less intensive production.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2021)