Marine macroalgae are important in coastal ecosystems and interact with marine microorganisms. In this study, we isolated fungi from seven types of marine macroalgae including Cladophora sp., Gloiopeltis furcate, Gracilariopsis chorda, Hydroclathrus clathratus, Prionitis crispata, Sargassum micracanthum, and Ulva lactuca collected in Korea. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses identified the isolates as four Aspergillus spp. (A. fumigatus, A. sydowii, A. tamarii, and A. terreus), three Penicillium spp. (P. crustosum, P. jejuense, and P. rubens), and Cladosporium tenuissimum. Among them, A. fumigatus TOPU2, A. tamarii SH-Sw5, and A. terreus GJ-Gf2 strains showed the activities of all enzymes examined (amylase, chitinase, lipase, and protease). Based on the enzymatic index (EI) values in solid media, A. terreus GJ-Gf2 and C. tenuissimum UL-Pr1 exhibited the highest amylase and lipase activities, respectively. Chitinolytic activity was only observed in A. terreus GJ-Gf2, A. tamarii SH-Sw5, and A. fumigatus TOP-U2. Penicillium crustosum ULCl2 and C. tenuissimum UL-Pr1 showed the highest protease activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of lipolytic and proteolytic activities in a marine-derived C. tenuissimum strain. Overall, the fungal strains isolated from the marine macroalgae in this study actively produced industrially important enzymes.

Agar, a heterogeneous polymer of galactose, is the main component of the cell wall of marine red algae. It is well established as a safe, non-digestible carbohydrate in oriental countries. Neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs) prepared by hydrolyzing agar by microbial β-agarase have been reported to show safety. However, their immunological effects have not been reported yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate immune enhancing effects of neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs) from marine red algae Gelidium elegans in mice by performing ex vivo experiments. Six-week-old mice were fed ad libitum. NAOs were orally administrated at three different concentrations (100, 500, and 2,500 mg/kg B.W./day) twice a week for four weeks. The group fed with NAOs at 2,500 mg/kg showed the highest proliferation of splenocytes and production levels of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in the ex vivo experiment. In conclusion, NAOs can enhance immune function, increase proliferation of splenocytes, and increase cytokine production by activating macrophages in mice.

The world is becoming overwhelmed with widespread diseases as antibiotic resistance increases at an alarming rate. Hence, there is a demanding need for the discovery and development of new antimicrobial drugs. The ocean is gifted with many organisms like phytoplankton, algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, mollusk, tunicates and echinoderms, which are known to produce a wide variety of bioactive secondary metabolites with pharmacological properties. Many new therapeutic drugs have emerged from marine invertebrates, although the large algal community is yet to be explored. The bioactivity possessing secondary metabolites of marine algae include polyphenols, phlorotannins, alkaloids, halogenated compounds, sulfated polysaccharides, agar, carrageenan, proteoglycans, alginate, laminaran, rhamnan sulfate, galactosylglycerol, and fucoidan. These metabolites have been found to have great antimicrobial activities against many human aliments. Studies show that the algal community represents about 9% of biomedical compounds obtained from the sea. This review looks at the evolution of drugs from the ocean, with a special emphasis on the antimicrobial activities of marine algae.

Bryopsis africana and Pyropia kinositae are reported for the first time on the list of Korean marine algal flora based on integrated morphological-molecular study. Bryopsis africana from Korea is recognized with distinct main axes, robust thalli, pinnately and radially branched above, and basally denuded. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that B. africana was placed within a clade of Bryopsis. Bryopsis africana differs from B. corymbosa by 2.7% gene sequence divergence. Pyropia kinositae is characterized by oblong to lanceolate thalli, entire margin, purplish red in color, twice as long as broad cells in transversal section view. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. kinositae was placed within a clade of Pyropia. Pyropia kinositae differs from P. tenera by 1.5-1.8%, P. ishigecola by 1.2-1.3%, and P. yezoensis by 1.5-1.8% gene sequence divergence respectively.

Haliotis discus, a useful abalone of herbivorous gastropod, shows feeding preference tomarine algae depending upon their growth stage and recognition of taste. This study was carriedout to investigate this abalone’s algal preferences and the presence of feeding stimulants. Insingle-choice experiments the small(S) group generally preferred Ulva pertusa(Chlorophyta),whereas the medium(M) and large(L) group preferred both Laminaria japonica(Phaeophyta)and Undaria pinnatifida(Phaeophyta). In multi-choice experiments using 4 algal species of L.japonica, U. pertusa, U. pinnatifidaand Ecklonia cava(Phaeophyta), the results were same as inthe single-choice experiments; the S group preferred U. pertusathe most, while the M and Lgroup preferred both U. pinnatifidaand L. japonica. However E. cavawas not preferred by anygroups. In order to examine the presence of feeding stimulant, chemical compounds from algae usedas feed were isolated and identified. The abalone responded to water soluble matters of L. japo-nica, U. pinnatifidaand U. pertusa, but those of E. cavaand Sargassum sagamianum(Phaeophyta)were not attractive to them. In feeding stimulant experiments using fat soluble matters, the S grouppreferred the fat soluble matter of U. pertusathe most, while the M group and the L group pre-ferred those of U. pertusaand U. pinnatifida, and those of L. japonica, respectively. However the fatsoluble matter of S. sagamianumwas not attractive to the abalone. The results of feeding sti-mulant experiments were same as those of single-choice or multi-choice experiments, which show-ed that compound lipids in fat soluble matter might act as feeding-stimulant.

Marine algal flora and community structure were investigated seasonally at six sites in the vicinity of Mokpo harbor, on the west-southern coast of Korea from March to December 2004. In total, 88 species including 13 green algae, 20 brown algae, and 55 red algae were collected and identified. Among these species, 21 species were found throughout the year. Gelidium divaricatum and Caulacanthus ustulatus were distributed mostly in the upper intertidal zone. By contrast, Ulva pertusa and Sargassum thunbergii occurred predominantly in the middle intertidal zone. Sargassum fusiforme, S. thunbergii and Chondria crassicaulis were most common in the lower intertidal zone. The annual mean biomass in wet weight was 234.7 g m−2. The maximum biomass was recorded in spring (317.5 g m−2) and minimum was recorded in winter (156.9 g m−2). The R/P, C/P, and (R+C)/P values reflecting the flora characteristics were 2.75, 0.65 and 3.40, respectively. Two groups were produced by cluster analysis, one including group close to inland sites 1, 2, 6 and the other including group in offshore sites 3, 4, 5.

마산만 조간대에서 서식하는 해조류 군집의 종조성 및 분포패턴을 2007년도에 계절별로 조사하였다. 조사기간 동안 총 42종의 해조류가 서식하였으며, 이 중 녹조류 5종, 갈조류 8종, 그리고 홍조류가 29종으로 나타났다. 우점종은 Enteromorpha linza, Ulva pertusa, Sargassum thunbergii, Gelidium amansii, G. divaricatum, Corallina pilulifera, Gracilaria textorii, 그리고 Polysiphonia morrowii으로 나타났다. 특히 우점종들은 수직분포가 뚜렷하였는데, 조간대 상부에는 U. pertusa, G. divaricatum가, 중부에는 E. intestinalis, E. linza, S. thunbergii, G. divaricatum이 우점하였다. 한편 하부에는 U. pertusa, Undaria pinnatifida, S. thunbergii, G. amansii, G. divaricatum, C. pilulifera이 주로 출현하였다. 조사기간 동안 출현한 출현종수는 계절 및 정점에 따라 변하였다. 겨울에 가장 많은 38종이 출현하였으며, 가을에는 28종으로 가장 적었다. 정점별로는 정점 4, 6에서 가장 많았으며, 정점 1, 2에서 가장 낮게 나타났다. 해조류 군집의 공간적 분포를 파악하기 위한 군집분석을 이용한 수지도 및 MDS 분석 결과에서는 해조류의 종조성 및 현존량이 각 정점의 지형적인 차이 및 조류, 해수의 움직임과 같은 물리해양학적인 특징에 의한 것으로 나타났다.

Benthic marine algal community of Hakampo in the western coast of Korea was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively. Seasonal assessments of species composition, biomass, dominant species in biomass and vertical distributional pattern were carried o

최근 우리나라에서는 산업이 급속도로 발전하면서 급증하는 전력수요를 충당하기 위하여 원자력발전소의 건설과 가동이 증가 추세에 있다. 수년에 걸친 발전소의 건설 과정에서 부지의 매립과 준설은 저서 해조류의 서식처를 교란시키고 이는 나아가서 종조성의 변화를 야기한다. 발전소가 정상 가동하게 되면 필연적으로 다량의 온배수를 주변으로 방출하는데, 고착성 해조류는 수온의 상승에 민감하게 반응한다. 국내 원자력발전소에서는 냉각수가 복수기를 통과하면서 수온이 7~12

산업활동의 부산물인 chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs)와 같은 물질들의 대기권 유입으로 오존층의 파괴가 극심해짐에 따라 자외선의 지표유입량이 증가되는 추세를 보이는데, 특히 중파자외선의 증가는 DNA, 단백질, 지질 등에 의한 흡수를 통하여 생물학적 폐해를 야기할 수 있다는 점에서 주목된다. 최근 측정 결과 우리나라 동해안에서 해수표면에 도달되는 중파자외선 광량의 1%가 수심 l0 m까지 침투하는 것으로 나타났는데, 이는 해양생태계 생산성의

In this study, the antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Amphidinium carterae ethanol extract (AE) was evaluated for using as a functional food ingredient. Chlorella ethanol extract (CE) was used to the comparison as a control. Anticancer activities of the AE and CE were analyzed by HepG2 and HT-29 human cancer cell. The AE showed antimicrobial activities for all tested bacterial strains. Whereas, CE showed antimicrobial activities for several tested bacterial strains only. The CE showed higher total phenolics contents, DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities (47.36 mg/g, 22.42% and 28.58%, respectively) than those of AE (8.88 mg/g, 20.16% and 17.69%, respectively). AE showed anti-diabetic effect on α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with dose-dependantly manner. The cell viability of AE (125 μg/mL) on HepG2 and HT-29 human cancer cells were 38.12% and 11.27%, respectively. It was demonstrated that ethanol was efficient solvent for extracting functional components from A. carterae. These results indicated that AE can be described as a good candidate for using as a functional food ingredient.

We constructed marine forest to restore barren grounds which are expanding in the east coast of Korea using 2 methods of (1)seedlings transplantation method and (2)underwater floating ropes method. We transplanted 3 macroalgae species, Ecklonia cava, Undaria pinnatifida, and Saccharina. japonica to construct marine forest. Blade length of Undaria pinnatifida on underwater floating ropes was 56.70±8.69㎜ in April and grew 68.75±22.30㎜ in May and 70.75±14.36㎜ in July. Blade length of S. japonica was shown 97.95-143.00㎜ in April to June. Blade length of Ecklonia cava was 30.50±1.91㎜ in May, 41.55±1.84㎜ in August, 45.30±2.57㎜ in November, 2009 and 45.30±1.99㎜ in February, 2010. The survey on Dangsa area, Ulsan-city in January, 2009 found a total number of 15 algal species(1 brown algae, 14 red algae species) with the highest variety at 5m depth of A station and the lowest at 8m depth of A and B stations. The March survey showed a total of 24 species (1 green algae, 1 brown algae, 22 red algae species) with the highest variety of 11 at depths of 3m and 5m of B station and the lowest of 6 at 10m of B station. In May, total biomass was 3,755.4g (green algae 1.2g, brown algae 199.0g, red algae 3,555.2g). From January, 2009, we found that E. cava was dominant at the depths of 3m and 5m of A and B stations while Peyssonnelia capensis was dominant at the depth of 8m of A station. The 8m depth of B station was dominated by Acrosorium polyneurum. In May, Grateloupia lanceolata was dominant at 8m depth of A station while other depths were dominated by Phycodrys fimbriata. In June, the dominant species were G. lanceolata at the 3m depth, E. cava at the 5m and P. fimbriata at the depths of 8m and 10m of A station. Under B station, G. lanceolata was dominant at the depths of 3m and 5m while P. fimbriata was dominant at the depths of 8m and 10m.

전라남도 연안에서 대량 생산되고 있는 해조류 5종(다시마․미역․김․파래․톳)을 대상으로 새로운 추출방법인 아임계 추출법을 도입하여 기존의 추출방법(열수, 용매추출)과 비교를 통하여 전남산 해조류의 기능성 측정 및 효율적인 추출물에 대한 자료를 확보하기 위해 조사를 실시하였다. 해조류 추출물 제조는 열수(80℃, 4시간), 용매추출(methanol, ethanol, 실온, 4시간)과 아임계 추출(압력 3 MPa, 온도 90, 150, 210℃)을 이용하여 제조하였다. 추출 수율은 아임계 추출＞열수 추출＞용매 추출 순으로 높게 나타났으며, 아임계 추출의 경우 추출 온도 조건이 높아지면서 수율 또한 증가하였으며 210℃에서 가장 높은 수율 결과를 나타냈다. 해조류 추출물의 총당 분석 결과 열수와 용매 추출의 경우 모든 시료에서 열수 추출이 높은 총당 함량을 보였으며, 아임계 추출의 경우 모든 조건(90, 150, 210℃)의 추출물이 용매 추출보다는 높은 총당 함량을 보였다. 시료별 총당 함량의 경우 열수 추출물은 파래, 김, 톳, 미역, 다시마 순으로 당 함량이 높았으며, 이러한 결과는 아임계 추출의 경우에서도 동일한 결과를 보였다. 환원당 분석 결과도 총당 결과와 유사하였다. 5종 해조류 추출물의 총 폴리페놀 함량은 210℃ 아임계 추출물＞150℃ 아임계 추출물＞90℃ 아임계 추출물＞열수 추출물＞methanol 추출물＞ethanol 추출물 순으로 높게 나타났다. 해조류 추출물의 DPPH radical 소거능을 측정한 결과, 모든 해조류 시료에서 열수 추출, 용매 추출, 3 MPa, 90℃ 아임계 추출물의 SC50 값은 서로 유사한 결과를 보였으며, 150℃ 아임계 추출물의 경우 농도가 조금 낮아졌으며, 특히 210℃아임계 추출물의 경우 SC50 농도가 현저히 낮아져 항산화 활성이 크게 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 미백효과 실험을 위해 tyrosinase 저해 효과를 살펴본 결과 톳과 김이 가장 효과가 좋았으며 미역, 다시마, 미역귀 순으로 나타났고, 파래의 경우 거의 효과가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 새로운 추출방법인 아임계 추출법은 다른 방법에 비하여 높은 항산화 활성을 보여준다는 사실을 확인할 수 있었고, 이러한 추출공정은 식품소재로부터 기능성 성분을 보다 더 효과적으로 추출하는 방법으로 적용할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.