Variations of chemical composition and energy content in natural and genetically defined cultivars of Macrocystis from Chile

Abstract

Seasonal and intra-thallus variations of energy content and chemical composition were assessed in an intertidal population of Macrocystis in southern Chile. Phylloid protein and lipid from cultured material were compared with seasonal variation in native Macrocystis. Furthermore, populations in northern and southern Chile and Falkland Islands were compared with various intra-/ inter-cultivar genotypes of Chilean Macrocystis. Energetic values did not show seasonal or intra-thallus variations, with the exception of pneumatocysts, which had high levels of ash (49.9% DW) and low values of total energy (8.3% DW). Seasonal patterns were detected in protein and carbohydrate composition, with opposite trends. Likewise, holdfasts contained high amounts of protein (21.0% DW), and phylloids were high in soluble carbohydrates (4.5% DW). Lipids instead showed two peaks per year in an intertidal population and reached up to 0.4% DW. Alginic acid was the major organic compound in intertidal Macrocystis (46.8% DW), with differences on seasonal and intra-thallus levels. Mannitol content, in contrast, was erratic and lower than in other Laminariales (<5% DW). In general, protein and lipid content in our cultivars were 20% higher than in natural populations. Our experimental results indicate the possibility to manipulate the chemical composition of Macrocystis thalli through inter-/intra-specific crosses. This will be a basis, upon which selected genotypes can open new perspectives to Macrocystis mariculture industries in Chile.

Comparison of different extraction techniques for obtaining extracts from brown seaweeds and their potential effects as angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

“…The chemical characterization of the brown seaweeds indicated similarities with other studies on Chilean brown seaweeds collected from other Chilean regions (Gómez and Westermeier 1995;Westermeier et al 2012). Nevertheless, the carbohydrate and protein concentrations were lower than the levels found in other brown algae elsewhere.…”

“…Due to their chemical characteristics, these compounds can be used as antioxidants (Li et al 2009;Breton et al 2011;Vijayabaskar and Shiyamala 2012;Rengasamy et al 2013), anti-allergics (Li et al 2011;Vo et al 2012), and anti-inflammatories (Thomas and Kim 2011;Wijesinghe et al 2013), and they exhibit inhibitory effects on enzymes (Lordan et al 2013;Rengasamy et al 2013), particularly ACE inhibitory effects (Wijesekara and Kim 2010;Wijesinghe et al 2011). Another main component present in brown algae is polysaccharides ( Marinho-Soriano et al 2006;Percival and McDowell, 1967;Westermeier et al 2012), and the potential of carbohydrates and its derivatives as ACE inhibitors has also been demonstrated (Lohith et al 2006;Endringer et al 2014).…”

Desarrollo del ensilado del alga Gracilaria chilensis para la alimentacion del abalon rojo Haliotis rufescens

“…El proceso de ensilado de G. chilensis generó diferencias estadísticamente significativas (Ρ > 0,05), entre los tratamientos respecto al extracto no nitrogenado, fibra, proteínas y cenizas totales, sin afectar al extracto etéreo, puesto que la concentración de lípidos son relativamente constantes a través del año (Viana, 2002;Westermeier et al, 2012). A mayor tiempo de secado parcial la cantidad de materia seca, se incrementó significativamente (Ρ > 0,05), tal como ocurre en los ensilados de praderas (Hargreaves et al, 1986;Ruiz, 1996;Aguila, 1997;Hiriart, 1998;Pizarro, 2003).…”

“…En un estudio realizado para determinar los niveles máximos y mínimos de nutrientes, se estableció que M. pyrifera obtuvo su máximo nivel de proteína en otoño-invierno; de lípidos en primavera-otoño y de carbohidratos en primavera-verano (Westermeier et al, 2012).…”

Repopulation techniques for Macrocystis integrifolia (Phaeophyceae: Laminariales) in Atacama, Chile

“…It is intensely harvested for abalone feed and alginate manufacture in the Atacama region (Westermeier et al 2012a). Furthermore, Macrocystis has been suggested as marine biomass for ethanol production (García et al 2011), promoting expectations for kelp fisheries and mariculture along the coast of Chile.…”