독도 해역의 해조류는 2013년 5월과 7월에 14개 정점에서 정성채집 하였으며, 대황의 생태학적 역할을 확인하기 위하여 7월과 11월에 23개체를 채집하여 부착기에 서식하는 해조류와 동물을 동정하였다. 대황의 줄기길이와 무게의 회귀식으로 생물량을 측정하였다. 해조류는 녹조류 18종, 갈조류 35종과 홍조류 75종을 포함하여 총 128종이 관찰되었으며, 성긴분기형이 47.66%로 가장 우점하였고 안정된 환경에 서식하는 ESG I그룹에 속하는 종이 91종(71.09%)이었다. 또한, R/P, C/P, (R+C)/P는 2.14, 0.51과 2.66으로 온대성과 혼합성 해조상을 보였다. 대황의 생물량은 23.74kg m-2이고 밀도는 64 fronds m-2로 확인되었다. 한편, 대황의 부착기에서 해조류 12종과 동물 83종(환형 15종, 연체 25종, 절지 34종, 극피 3종, 기타 6종)의 1,248개체가 동정되어 생태학적으로 매우 중요한 핵심종으로 확인되었으며, 넓은마디육질꼬리옆새우붙이가 538개체(43.11%)로 가장 우점하였다. 본 연구 결과 독도의 해조류 출현종수는 이전 연구에 비해 증가하였고 성긴분기형과 ESG I 해조류가 우점하는 것으로 나타나 현재까지 독도 연안의 환경은 매우 안정된 상태라고 판단된다.

The antioxidant and digestive enzyme inhibitory effects of Eisenia bicyclis extracted by various extraction methods (RE, reflux extraction; SE, ultrasonification extraction; AE, autoclave extraction; LE, low-temperature high-pressure extraction) were investigated. The extraction yield (55.21%) and the laminarin (39.03%), fucoidan (24.75%), total polyphenol (115.68 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (36.67 mg RHE/g) contents of AE were higher than those in other methods. The DPPH radical (86.60%, 500 mg%), ABTS radical (58.56%, 25 mg%), nitrite (86.38%, 100 mg%) scavenging activities of the Eisenia bicyclis extracted by AE were higher than those of Eisenia bicyclis extracted by other methods. The ABTS radical and nitrite scavenging activities were above 98% in all tested Eisenia bicyclis extracts and these activities were dependent on its concentration. The inhibitory effects of AE against amylase (50 mg%) and α-glucosidase (5 mg%) were 64.76% and 86.71%, respectively. The AE showed the best inhibitory effect of Eisenia bicyclis extracts (50 mg%) against trypsin (24.37%) and α-chymotrypsin (49.05%), respectively. These results suggest that Eisenia bicyclis extracted by AE can be used as a bioactive and functional material in the food industry.

A large number of edible seaweeds are consumed by the coastal peoples of Asia. Some of them are used in traditional remedies in many parts of the world. In this study we investigated effects of supplementation with ethyl acetate extracts of the brown alga Eisenia bicyclis (EBE) on rat macrophage to evaluate the possibilities as immune-modulators. Twelve male SD rats were divided into two groups and the treatments were as follows: A, no Eisenia bicyclis extract (EBE) intake and distilled water ; B, oral supplemented with EBE 200 mg/kg. After 5 weeks of supplementation, rats were sacrificed to assess the effect on peritoneal macrophage functions. We showed no increasing effects on tumoricidal activity, phagocytic activity and NO production in macrophages in EBE supplementation group. However, EBE supplementation suppressed NO-iNOS production and p65 translocation into the nucleus in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Overall, these results suggest that the supplementation of EBE might have an anti-inflammatory effects on NO-iNOS production in macrophages throughout the inhibition of NF-kB activation.

In this study we investigated effects of supplementation with ethyl acetate extracts of the brown alga Eisenia bicyclis on innate immune cells to evaluate the possibilities as an immunomoulator in exercise stress. Twenty male SD rats were divided into four groups and the treatments were as follows: A, no Eisenia bicyclis extract (EBE) (200 mg/kg) intake and maintained at rest ; B, no EBE intake and undergoing exercise ; C, EBE intake and undergoing exercise ; D, EBE intake and maintained at rest. After 5 weeks of oral supplementation, rats were undergoing intensive swimming exercises for 2 h and sacrificed to assess the effects on peritoneal macrophages, spleen cells and natural killer (NK) cells. We showed increasing effects on nitric oxide-inducible nitric oxide synthase (NO-iNOS) production by macrophages and no effects of NK tumoricidal activity and suppressive effects on spleen cell proliferation in exercise group. However, EBE supplementation suppressed NO-iNOS production by macrophages and increased NK tumoricidal activity and spleen cell proliferative response to mitogen in exercise group. Overall, these results that EBE supplementation has differential effects on innate immune response and could be useful as sports nutrition.