31Ulva species, green macroalgae, are widely distributed in the water across the globe, 32 being one of the most heavily-traded edible seaweeds. Nonetheless, although this genus 33 has been largely used in scientific studies, its lipidome remains rather unexplored. The 34 present study sheds light over the lipid profile of Ulva rigida produced in a land-based 35 integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system using liquid chromatography 36 coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry for molecular lipid species identification. 37The lipidome of U. rigida revealed the presence of distinct beneficial n-3 fatty acids for 38 human health, namely alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). A 39 total of 87 molecular species of glycolipids, 58 molecular species of betaine lipids and 57 40 molecular species of phospholipids were identified in the lipidome of U. rigida including 41 some species bearing PUFA and with described bioactive properties. Overall, the present 42 study contributes to the valorization and quality validation of sustainably farmed U. 43 rigida. 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 Edible macroalgae are a good source of beneficial compounds for human health that 53 display distinct functional properties that stimulate interest to number of high-value 54 chains (e.g., medical, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical) (Holdt and Kraan 2011; Leal et al. 55 2013; Abreu et al. 2014; Rajauria 2015; Roohinejad et al. 2016). Ulva spp. have long 56 been listed in FAO as one of the main macroalgae for commercial use (Naylor 1976). 57 These popular green seaweeds can be used fresh, dried, or in liquid extracts, either for 58 direct or processed consumption worldwide (McHugh 2003; Barriga et al. 2017). 59 Popularly known in the human food market as sea lettuce, Ulva spp. belongs to class 60 Ulvophyceae and can be found in marine and brackish waters, being widely distributed 61 across the globe. Ulva species are well adapted to aquaculture production and can be 62 successfully cultured by using an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) 63 framework (Bolton et al. 2008; Msuya and Neori 2008; Marinho et al. 2013; Shpigel et 64 al. 2017). This innovative and sustainable culture approach mimics the natural ecosystem 65 of species from different trophic levels, associating the production of fed species (e.g. 66 finfish) with other extractive organisms, namely marine invertebrates and/or algae, that 67 incorporate organic and inorganic compounds resulting from the metabolism of fed 68 species, as well as from uneaten feed. Overall, IMTA promotes a balanced production 69 framework that is environmentally sustainable and viable from an economic point of view 70 (Barrington et al. 2009; Chopin et al. 2012). The culture of seaweeds under an IMTA 71 approach allows the removal of excess nutrients, namely phosphorus and nitrogen, from 72 wastewater (Neori 2009; Lawton et al. 2013), while enhancing quality and stability of 73 seaweeds biomass and their biochemical profile (Abreu et al. 2014). 74Ulva species are con...

Marine edible macroalgae have functional proprieties that might improve human health and wellbeing. Lipids represent a minor fraction of macroalgae, yet with major interest as main carriers of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and intrinsic bioactive properties. In this study, we used lipid extracts from the green macroalgae Ulva rigida and Codium tomentosum; the red Gracilaria gracilis,Palmaria palmata and Porphyra dioica; and the brown Fucus vesiculosus, produced in a land-based integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) system. We determined the lipid quality indices based on their fatty acid profiles and their bioactivities as putative antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative agents. The results reveal to be species-specific, namely U. rigida displayed the lowest atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices. Palmaria palmata and F. vesiculosus lipid extracts displayed the lowest inhibitory concentration in the free radical scavenging antioxidant assays. Ulva rigida, C. tomentosum, P. palmata and P. dioica inhibited COX-2 activity by up to 80%, while P. dioica and P. palmata extracts showed the highest cytotoxic potential in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This work enhances the valorization of macroalgae as functional foods and promising ingredients for sustainable and healthy diets and fosters new applications of high-valued algal biomass, in a species-specific context.

Increasing global demand for food has generated a need for new strategies to feed a fast-growing population. Oceans appear as a sustainable solution, providing alternative sources of food such as macroalgae. These sea vegetables have high nutritional value and provide functional and health benefits. The sugar kelp Saccharina latissima is an emerging edible seaweed used mainly for human consumption. Although much is known about its biochemical compositions its lipidome remains unexplored. The aim of the present study was to characterize the polar lipid profile of S. latissima using a lipidomic-mass spectrometry HILIC-LC-MS based analysis. This approach allowed the identification of 197 molecular species of polar lipids, including glycolipids, phospholipids and betaine lipids. Several molecular species identified are carriers of polyunsaturated fatty acids with nutritional value and have been reported with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antiproliferative activity. Saccharina latissima is an emerging candidate to promote blue biotechnology inspired by the ocean.

Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) are characterized by a multifactorial aetiology and a complex genetic background, with the MHC region playing a major role. We genotyped for HLA-DRB1 locus 1228 patients with AIDs-213 with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), 166 with Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis (Ps + PsA), 153 with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), 67 with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), 536 with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and 93 with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and 282 unrelated controls. We confirmed previously established associations of HLA-DRB1∗15 (OR = 2.17) and HLA-DRB1∗03 (OR = 1.81) alleles with MS, HLA-DRB1∗03 with SLE (OR = 2.49), HLA-DRB1∗01 (OR = 1.79) and HLA-DRB1∗04 (OR = 2.81) with RA, HLA-DRB1∗07 with Ps + PsA (OR = 1.79), HLA-DRB1∗01 (OR = 2.28) and HLA-DRB1∗08 (OR = 3.01) with SSc, and HLA-DRB1∗03 with MG (OR = 2.98). We further observed a consistent negative association of HLA-DRB1∗13 allele with SLE, Ps + PsA, RA, and SSc (18.3%, 19.3%, 16.3%, and 11.9%, resp., versus 29.8% in controls). HLA-DRB1∗13 frequency in the AIDs group was 20.0% (OR = 0.58). Although different alleles were associated with particular AIDs, the same allele, HLA-DRB1∗13, was underrepresented in all of the six diseases analysed. This observation suggests that this allele may confer protection for AIDs, particularly for systemic and rheumatic disease. The protective effect of HLA-DRB1∗13 could be explained by a more proficient antigen presentation by these molecules, favouring efficient clonal deletion during thymic selection.