Tasco-Forage: I. Influence of a seaweed extract on antioxidant activity in tall fescue and in ruminants.

Abstract

Seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) is a known source of plant growth regulators, and application to turfgrasses has increased activity of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and specific vitamin precursors. Increased antioxidant activity in both plants and animals diminishes oxidative stress. Two pasture experiments investigated effects of Tasco-Forage (a proprietary seaweed-based product) applied to tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) on antioxidant activity in plants and in ruminants that grazed the forage. In Exp. 1, fescue was 70 to 100% infected with the endophyte fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum ([Morgan-Jones and Gams] Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin). Twenty-four wether lambs (initial BW 41 kg; SD = 5) grazed fescue treated with 0, 1.7, or 3.4 kg Tasco/ha applied in April and July, 1994, with four replications per treatment. Grazing occurred for 26 d beginning April 21 and for 22 d beginning July 19. In July, there was a linear increase in daily gains (P < 0.05), and serum vitamin A (P < 0.13) and whole-blood Se (P < 0.10) tended to increase in lambs grazing Tasco-treated fescue. In Exp. 2,48 Angus and Angus x Hereford steers (initial BW 245 kg; SD = 20) grazed infected or uninfected tall fescue in Virginia that was treated (3.4 kg/ ha) or untreated with Tasco in April and July, 1995. Steers that grazed infected tall fescue had lower (P < 0.02) serum vitamin A and E and tended (P < 0.07) to have lower whole-blood Se in September compared with steers that grazed uninfected tall fescue. Tasco decreased (P < 0.06) serum vitamin E but tended to increase whole-blood Se (P < 0.10) in September and serum vitamin A in July (P < 0.12). During 1996 and 1997, the experiment was repeated in Virginia with Angus steers and was replicated at Prairie, MS, where 1/4 Brahman x 3/4 Angus steers were used. Forty-eight steers were included at each location in each year (n = 192 total steers for 1996 and 1997). Steers that grazed infected tall fescue in Mississippi had lower (P < 0.05) serum vitamin E by the end of the grazing season. At both locations Tasco increased (P < 0.05) activity of superoxide dismutase in both infected and uninfected fescue. The endophyte in tall fescue seemed to decrease antioxidant activity in grazing steers, whereas Tasco seemed to increase antioxidant activity in both the forage and the grazing ruminant. Tasco may provide opportunities to reduce oxidative stress in plants and animals.

Influence of supplementing diet with microalgae (Schizochytrium limacinum)on growth and metabolism in lambs during the summer

“…It has also been understood that heat stress impairs intestinal barrier integrity and causes leaky gut, which explains its negative effects on animal health and production (30). Algae have been found to protect the body from oxidative stress and to scavenge peroxides in immune cells (3,4). The MDA, GPx activity, and LPS-BP are considered useful biomarkers to assess the extent of heat stress in blood and tissue in mammals (30)(31)(32).…”

Effect of Plant Growth Stimulants on Alfalfa Response to Salt Stress

“…There is evidence that seaweed extract increases tolerance to oxidative stress and protects against adverse environmental conditions by enhancing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and Ascorbate peroxidase (ASP) [16] [72]. Potassium plays a key role in plants through the activation of enzymes by stabilizing the pH between 7 and 8 and changing the conformation of enzymes by binding to their surfaces [73].…”

“…Seaweeds have been reported to possess plant-growth promoting activity which made them relevant in agriculture and horticulture as organic fertilizers [15]. Fike et al [16] reported that seaweed extract derived from A. nodosum contains various compounds including amino acids and micronutrients. The application of Seaweed extract on vegetables and forage grasses increased root length, leaf area, and root and shoot biomass in response to drought stress, in addition to increasing chlorophyll and carotenoids [17].…”

Protective Role of the Seaweed Halimeda opuntia Extract on Cadmium-Stressed Eruca sativa (Mill.)

“…These results support the findings of Mansori et al (2015), who reported that the extract of Fucus spiralis and Ulva rigida decreased the MDA level in leaves of water-stressed Phaseolus vulgaris plants. Fike et al (2001) demonstrated that protective anti-stress effect of seaweeds may be associated with cytokinin activity, which mitigate stress-induced free radicals by direct scavenging of ROS and by inhibiting xanthine oxidation preventing ROS formation. Also, H. opuntia extract is rich in mineral nutrients as calcium, which has a specific role in controlling membrane structure and function by binding to phospholipids that stabilizes lipid bilayers and thus provides structural integrity to cellular membranes against oxidative damage (Hirschi, 2004).…”