Exopolysaccharides, or extracellular polysaccharides (EPS, sPS), represent a valuable metabolite compound synthesized from red microalgae. It is a non-toxic natural agent and can be applied as an immunostimulant. The toxicity test of exopolysaccharides from Porphyridium has been done in vivo using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryonic model, or the ZET (zebrafish embryotoxicity test). The administration of extracellular polysaccharides or exopolysaccharides (EPS) from microalgae Porphyridium cruentum (synonym: P. purpureum) to shrimps Litopenaeus vannamei was investigated to determine the effect of this immunostimulant on their non-specific immune response and to test if this compound can be used as a protective agent for shrimps in relation to Vibrio infection. For immune response, exopolysaccharides were given to shrimps via the immersion method on day 1 and booster on day 8. Shrimp hemocytes were taken on day 1 (EPS administration), day 7 (no treatment), day 8 (EPS booster) and day 9 (Vibrio infection) and tested for their immune response on each treatment. The result shows that the EPS is not toxic, as represented by the normal embryonic development and the mortality data. In the Pacific white shrimps, an increase in the values of all immune parameters was shown, in line with the increasing EPS concentration, except for the differential hemocyte count (DHC). In detail, an increase was noted in total hemocytes (THC) value, phagocytotic activity (PA) and respiratory burst (RB) in line with the EPS concentration increase. These results and other previous studies indicate that EPS from Porphyridium is safe, enhances immune parameters in shrimp rapidly, and has the ability to act as an immunostimulant or an immunomodulator. It is a good modulator for the non-specific immune cells of Pacific white shrimps, and it can be used as a preventive agent against vibriosis.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L) is native to Latin America and has spread out worldwide, thus having a high level of diversity. The lima bean seed from a specific region might have different characteristics from others. This study was aimed to characterize the physicochemical and protein of the dry seed of lima bean from Indonesia based on its solubility, electrophoretic pattern, and amino acid profile. The result showed that carbohydrate (68.89±1.55%) was the major component, with starch (41.96±1.10%) as the predominant. The amylopectin was higher than amylose. Dietary fibre (27.87±0.37%) was significant and dominated by insoluble one (25.47±0.32%). The fat content (1.15±0.04%) was low and ash (3.67±0.47%) comprised of magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and iron with the content of 184, 75, 38, 11, and 10 mg/100 g, respectively. Total phenolic compounds of this seed were 1.29±0.02 mg/g, phytic acid 11.57±0.03 mg/g, saponins 16.84±0.42 mg/g, and trypsin inhibitors 36.07±0.11 TIU/g. HCN was found significantly at 30.99±0.29 ppm. Oligosaccharides were 5.93±0.29% that comprised of raffinose 1.22±0.08% and stachyose 4.61±0.21%. Protein content was moderate (15.93±0.55%) that comprised of albumin 18.47±0.62%, globulin 56.20±2.00%, prolamin 3.14±0.20%, and glutelin 22.69±1.60%. The molecular weight of this protein was 10-141 kDa with 12 polypeptides. Globulin had 12 polypeptides of 10 to 124 kDa. Albumin had 18 to 116 kDa molecular weights, while glutelin had six polypeptides of 13 to 109 kDa. Prolamin did not have visible polypeptides. Lysine, leucine, valine, and phenylalanine were the primary essential amino acids with high lysine but low methionine and cysteine. In conclusion, lima bean seed is a source of carbohydrates and minerals, with a moderate protein content dominated by the globulin. The polypeptide profile of lima bean seed is varied depending on the protein fractions. The occurrence of antinutrition might hinder its utilization as a protein source. HCN as a toxicant should be removed to obtain a safe seed for consumption.