Biochemical Characterization of Cassiopea andromeda (Forsskål, 1775), Another Red Sea Jellyfish in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Increasing frequency of native jellyfish proliferations and massive appearance of non-indigenous jellyfish species recently concur to impact Mediterranean coastal ecosystems and human activities at sea. Nonetheless, jellyfish biomass may represent an exploitable novel resource to coastal communities, with reference to its potential use in the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and nutraceutical Blue Growth sectors. The zooxanthellate jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda, Forsskål, 1775 (Cnidaria, Rhizostomeae) entered the Levant Sea through the Suez Canal and spread towards the Western Mediterranean to reach Malta, Tunisia, and recently also the Italian coasts. Here we report on the biochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of C. andromeda specimens with a discussion on their relative biological activities. The biochemical characterization of the aqueous (PBS) and hydroalcoholic (80% ethanol) soluble components of C. andromeda were performed for whole jellyfish, as well as separately for umbrella and oral arms. The insoluble components were hydrolyzed by sequential enzymatic digestion with pepsin and collagenase. The composition and antioxidant activity of the insoluble and enzymatically digestible fractions were not affected by the pre-extraction types, resulting into collagen- and non-collagen-derived peptides with antioxidant activity. Both soluble compounds and hydrolyzed fractions were characterized for the content of proteins, phenolic compounds, and lipids. The presence of compounds coming from the endosymbiont zooxanthellae was also detected. The notable yield and the considerable antioxidant activity detected make this species worthy of further study for its potential biotechnological sustainable exploitation.

The Zooxanthellate Jellyfish Holobiont Cassiopea andromeda, a Source of Soluble Bioactive Compounds

“…Among them, several members of the class Scyphozoa receive increasing attention due to the conspicuous size of their adult medusa stage (usually known as jellyfish) and their recurring population outbreaks, which may negatively affect human activities at sea, including leisure and fisheries [ 1 ]. Besides the biological and ecological mechanisms boosting their proliferations, several jellyfish species are investigated worldwide as sources of bioactive compounds [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Further, some Mediterranean jellyfish have been considered as novel foods in Western countries [ 2 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

“…This species has a high invasive potential [ 20 ] and, similarly to other outbreak-forming jellyfish, might have significant ecological impacts on the Mediterranean food webs [ 21 ]. Indeed, C. andromeda has an advantageous mixotrophic metabolism [ 22 ] due to the occurrence of endosymbiotic dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae; because of this, the jellyfish was found to contain compounds (in some cases easily extractable) with valuable biological activities [ 7 ].…”

“…The analysis of the biochemical composition of most Scyphomedusae indicates that 95–97% of the fresh weight is made by water; however, proteins (mainly collagen) are the main organic macromolecules, while non-proteinaceous compounds such as carbohydrates and lipids represent minor components. Moreover, compounds such as phenols and pigments, mainly derived from dinoflagellates, are also detected in zooxanthellate jellyfish [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 23 , 24 ]. Members of the order Rhizostomeae have a higher protein content than Semeostomeae; however, the percentage of minority compounds can be very different among jellyfish species also depending on the co-presence of microorganisms [ 4 , 6 ].…”

Combination of Solid State and Submerged Fermentation Strategies to Produce a New Jellyfish-Based Food

“…Although jellyfish are not a traditional food in Western countries and in Europe, an increasing interest in their use as food was reported [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. In addition, the presence of bioactive compounds and valuable antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in some Mediterranean jellyfish species [ 14 , 15 , 16 ] makes them increasingly attractive.…”

Chasing Chances in a Changing Sea

“…Among benthic invertebrates, the calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna , commonly occurring as an invasive fouler in Mediterranean mussel farms and marinas, could represent an important source of metabolites of interest for the development of novel environmentally friendly antifouling paints, as suggested by a preparatory study carried out by testing crude ethanolic extract from the sponge [ 9 ]. The extracts from the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda showed considerable antioxidant activity, paving the way for further studies envisaging a sustainable exploitation of this invasive species as a source of BMNPs with nutritional, nutraceutical and/or pharmaceutical properties [ 10 ].…”