Cultivation and utilization of Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) as food

A brief review is presented concerning wakame, Undaria pinnatifida, one of the most popular seaweeds used for food in Japan. Although it has been cultivated since about 1940, full-scale cultivation occurred after 1955. As methods for providing ‘seed stock’ and of processing the harvested sporophytes progressed, the yield increased rapidly. The main areas of cultivation are in Japan (e.g. Sanriku, Naruto), Korea and China, while ‘wild’ U. pinnatifida has been introduced into France, New Zealand and Australia. The total world yield of wakame exceeds 500 000 t fresh weight. Cultivated and harvested Undaria is boiled and salted (thus becoming green) and refrigerated; in the factory, it is removed its foreign matter and salt and dried. After checking for quality, the product is packaged in forms convenient for cooking and eating.     

Antihypertensive effects of Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) peptide on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

We examined the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and antihypertensive effect of the hot water extract of wakame, Undaria pinnatifida. Ten dipeptides were isolated from the extract by several steps of chromatography, and their amino acid sequences were Tyr-His, Lys-Trp, Lys-Tyr, Lys-Phe, Phe-Tyr, Val-Trp, Val-Phe, Ile-Tyr, Ile-Trp, and Val-Tyr. Both single administration and repeated oral administration of synthetic Tyr-His, Lys-Tyr, Phe-Tyr, and Ile-Tyr significantly decreased blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.     

Nutritional value of the marine algae wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) and nori (Porphyra purpurea) as food supplements

The nutritional properties of seaweeds are incompletely known, and studies on nutrient bioavailability are scarce, although such information is required to evaluate seaweed as a foodstuff. In the present study, samples of wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) and nori (Porphyra purpurea) were analysed to determine their chemical composition. To evaluate the algae as dietary supplements, the effects on rats of the inclusion of these seaweeds in a standard rodent diet were investigated. The control rats were fed a diet containing 100 % standard rodent diet. The wakame diet was obtained by mixing 10 % dried wakame with 90 % standard rodent diet, and the nori diet was obtained by mixing 10 % dried nori with 80 % standard rodent diet and 10 % starch. Food intake and the body weight were measured. Nitrogen ingested and excreted were determined to calculate true digestibility, biological value, net protein utilization and nitrogen balance. Biochemical determinations were made on serum blood samples. The protein content was high (16.8 % for wakame and 33.2 % for nori), the fat content was low (1 % for wakame and 2.8 % for nori) and the carbohydrates comprised 37 % for both seaweeds. The fibre and ash contents in wakame were 16.9 and 28.3 %, respectively, and in nori, they were 7.5 and 21.3 %, respectively. Both seaweeds contain high concentrations of calcium, sodium, potassium, iron and magnesium, and the most abundant vitamin was vitamin A. Few changes were observed in the nutritional parameters, but LDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in rats fed with seaweed-supplemented diets than in the control rats. Wakame and nori are excellent sources of nutrients and are well accepted by experimental animals.     

Regeneration from callus of Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar (Laminariales,Phaeophyta)

Calli were formed on the explants of midrib, meristem and immature stipe parts from freshly collected Undaria pinnatifida sporophytes. Each part was sterilized by Betadine and ethanol, and was cut into explants. The explants were incubated on an agar medium at 10 hours light and 14 hours dark photoperiod under a photon flux density of 80 µmol m^–2 s^–1. Callus was formed best on the explants of meristem parts at a temperature of 13 °C on PESI medium. Calli were cut off from the explants and were transferred into a sterile liquid PESI medium in flasks. Callus was dark brown in colour and was composed of well-pigmented cells. The cells were loosely bound and were separated by low power sonication, and were easy to attach to vinylon strings. From the calli formed on the explants of meristem parts, entire fronds were regenerated, but from the calli formed on the explants of midrib parts, only thin layered laminae were regenerated. The calli formed on the explants of immature stipe parts did not exhibit any regeneration at all.     

裙带菜假根中褐藻糖胶的提取

研究了温度、pH值、提取时间和水藻比及添加果胶酶和纤维素酶对采用乙醇沉淀法提取裙带菜假根中褐藻糖胶的影响。单因素和正交实验结果表明,80℃p、H 5、提取时间5 h下的褐藻糖胶得率最高,水藻比影响不明显。添加500 u/g果胶酶和纤维素酶可分别增加57%和46%。     

Ethanol production from seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) using yeast acclimated to specific sugars

Ethanol production from Undaria pinnatifida (Sea mustard, Miyuk) was performed using yeast acclimated to specific sugars. Pretreatment conditions were optimized by thermal acid hydrolysis and enzyme treatment to increase the monosaccharide yield. Pretreatment by thermal acid hydrolysis was carried out using seaweed powder at 8 ～ 17% (w/v) solid content with a treatment time of 30 ～ 60 min. Enzyme treatment was carried out with 1% (v/v) Viscozyme L (1.2 FGU/mL), 1% (v/v) Celluclast 1.5 L (8.5 EGU/mL), 1% (v/v) AMG 300 L (3.0 AGU/mL), and 1% (v/v) Termamyl 120 L (0.72 KNU/mL). All enzymes except Termamyl 120 L, which was applied during pretreatment, were treated at 45°C for 24 h following pretreatment. Optimal pretreatment and enzyme conditions were determined to be 75 mM H₂SO₄, 13% (w/v) slurry, and 2.88 KNU/mL Termamyl 120 L at 121°C for 60 min. A maximum monosaccharide concentration of 33.1 g/L with 50.1% theoretical yield was obtained. To increase the ethanol yield, Pichia angophorae KCTC 17574 was acclimated to a high concentration (120 g/L) of galactose and mannitol at 30oC for 24 h. Ethanol production of 12.98 g/L with 40.12% theoretical yield was obtained from U. pinnatifida through fermentation with 0.35 g dry cell weight/L P. angophorae KCTC 17574 acclimated to mannitol and galactose.     

光同化产物在裙带菜（Undaria pinnatifida）中的运转

本文报告了用１４Ｃ标记的光同化产物在裙带菜［Ｕｎｄａｒｉａｐｉｎｎａｔｉｆｉｄａ（Ｈａｒｙ．）Ｓｕｒ］孢子体中的运转现象。观察到光同化产物约需２０ｍｉｎ才能从叶片表皮进入中肋的髓部。在自然条件下,光同化产物主要自叶片梢部经中肋向生长部运转,在叶片梢部和生长部之间存在明显的源一库关系。运转速度约为４２～４８ｃｍ／ｈ。用组织放射自显影的方法证实了髓部的喇叭丝是主要的运转组织。向下运转的溶于酒精的光同化产物中,甘露醇占５０％以上。还在光同化产物中观察到游离的谷氨酸、天门冬氨酸和丙氨酸。     

裙带菜PSⅠ复合物的荧光特异性

以褐藻裙带菜(Undaria pinnatifida)为实验材料,采用蔗糖密度梯度超速离心的方法,去污剂SDS为增溶剂(SDS:Chi=20:1,4℃增溶20 min),蔗糖密度梯度为60%、50%、40%、30%、20%、15%和10%,分离制备光系统Ⅰ(PSⅠ)复合物.结果表明,40%蔗糖层带所含色素蛋白复合物是PS I复合物.利用红藻作参照对比,光谱结果表明从裙带菜中得到的PSⅠ复合物没有730 nm的荧光峰.分析认为这是所有褐藻包括裙带菜PSⅠ复合物的荧光特异性.     

Temperature requirements for the growth of young sporophytes of Undaria pinnatifida and Undaria undarioides (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae)

The relative growth rate of young sporophytes of Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar and Undaria undarioides (Yendo) Okamura was examined in order to understand the difference in distribution of these two species around the coast of Japan. The optimal temperature for growth of both species was similar at 20°C and the upper critical temperature for growth was also similar, at 27°C for U. pinnatifida and 26°C for U. undarioides. Therefore, the optimal and upper critical temperatures for growth of the young sporophytes are not the main factors determining the distribution of each species. Next, the lower critical temperatures for growth were examined. For the young sporophytes of U. pinnatifida, the lower limit was less than 5°C while for those of U. undarioides it was 15°C. Thus, the difference in the lower critical temperature for growth between the two species was approximately 10°C. During the period of young sporophyte growth in the field, the temperature at the mouth of Ise Bay, Japan, where U. pinnatifida occurs, ranges from 12.7°C in December to 13.1°C in April, with a minimum of 7.9°C in February. Our experiments indicate that young sporophytes are able to grow throughout this period. The temperature off Hamajima, Japan, where U. undarioides occurs, ranges from 19.1°C to 14.8°C during the same time period. Again, young sporophytes are able to growth throughout this period, although minimum winter temperatures are only just high enough for growth. These natural temperature ranges during the growth season of the sporophytes agree well with the experimentally determined temperature requirements for growth of each species. Therefore, the difference between the two species in the critical temperature required for growth of the young sporophytes, especially in the low temperature range, is one of the major factors determining the distribution pattern of each species.     

褐藻裙带菜色素蛋白复合物的性质*

用去污剂DMG增溶褐藻裙带菜(Undaria pinnatifida)的类囊体膜,通过PAGE分离色素-蛋白复合物并分析其性质,结果表明:CPⅠa和CPⅠ都含有66kDa的多肽,低温荧光发射光谱中有715nm的长波荧光峰,激发光谱测定结果表明CPⅠa是含有墨角藻黄素的叶绿素a/c-蛋白复合物,CPⅠ是只含有叶绿素a的色素-蛋白复合物。CPa含有51、37、34和20kDa四种多肽,低温荧光发射峰位于683nm,激发光谱表明它含有叶绿素a、c和少量墨角藻黄素,是裙带菜的PSⅠ复合物。其余5条为捕光色素-蛋白复合物,它们都是由20kDa的多肽组成,其中LHC₁和LHC₃有相似的光谱特性,是墨角藻黄素-叶绿素a/c-蛋白复合物,LHC₂、LHC₄和LHC₅的光谱特性相似,是叶绿素a/c-蛋白复合物。     

Surveys of Undaria pinnatifida (Laminariales,Phaeophyta) in Golfo Nuevo,Argentina

In December 1992, some sporophytes of the Asian kelp Undaria pinnatiftda were found growing subtidally at 6 m depth below A. Storni Port, Puerto Madryn, Argentina. During the winter of 1994, the species expanded significantly from its original location. Sporelings appear in early autumn and attain their maximum size (1.65 ± 0.10 m) during winter and early spring, when most of them become fertile. The fronds are lost in summer, with only some holdfasts and sporophylls surviving, and these disappear by the end of summer. The occurrence of U. pinnatida in Golfo Nuevo is reportedly due to an accidental introduction by cargo ships or fishing vessels arriving from Asian ports.     

褐藻多糖硫酸酯免疫调节和抗肿瘤活性研究

目的研究褐藻多糖硫酸酯(Fucoidan)体外抗肿瘤及免疫调节作用。方法采用MTT法检测Fu-coidan对Hca-F肝癌细胞体外生长和对正常小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖的影响;中性红比色法检测Fucoidan对小鼠脾Mφ吞噬活性的影响;ELISA法检测Fucoidan对脾细胞细胞因子分泌水平的影响。结果浓度低于1 000μg/ml时Fu-coidan对Hca-F肝癌细胞体外生长抑制作用不明显(P0.05);Fucoidan对脾淋巴细胞增殖、Mφ吞噬活性及细胞因子IL-6、IL-10、IL-12、IL-18和TNF-α的分泌均有增加趋势。结论 Fucoidan对体外培养的小鼠Hca-F肝癌细胞生长有一定的抑制作用;可提高细胞与分子免疫应答水平,调节细胞因子分泌,发挥抗肿瘤作用。     

Isolation and Nomenclature of Pigment-Protein Complexes from the Brown Alga (Undaria pinnatifida Harv.)

Eight kinds of pigment-protein complexes were resolved from the thylakoid membrane of the brown alga （Undaria pinnatifida Harv.) by using non-ionic detergent decanoyl-N-methylglucamide and PAGE technique. According to the apparent molecular weights, spectra characteristics, polypeptide compositions and referring to the higher plant spinach, eight pigment-protein complexes were named under Anderson′s terminology system as CPⅠa, CPⅠ, CPa, LHC1, LHC2, LHC3, LHC4, LHC5.     

Fucoidan对巨噬细胞RAW264.7的免疫调节作用

目的 观察褐藻多糖硫酸酯（Fucoidan）对巨噬细胞RAW264.7体外吞噬活性、细胞因子TNF-α和IL-6分泌,以及Toll样受体4（TLR4）mRNA表达的影响。方法 实验分对照组,Fucoidan高、中、低剂量组（浓度分别是200、400和800 μg/mL）。药物处理6~48 h后,MTT法检测RAW264.7细胞活力;中性红比色法检测细胞吞噬活性;ELISA法检测培养上清中TNF-α和IL-6的分泌水平;实时定量PCR检测Toll样受体4（TLR4）mRNA表达量。结果 与对照组相比,Fucoidan显著增强RAW264.7细胞代谢活力和吞噬能力（P＜0.01）,增加TNF-α和IL-6的分泌,上调TLR4的表达,呈剂量依赖关系。结论 Fucoidan可上调TLR4表达,增强巨噬细胞代谢和吞噬活性,增加TNF-α和IL-6的分泌,具有潜在的调节免疫作用。     

The introduced alga Undaria pinnatifida (Laminariales,Alariaceae) in the lagoon of Venice

Since its appearance in 1992 in the lagoon of Venice, the brown algae Undaria pinnatifida (kelp) has gradually expanded along the banks of canals both at Chioggia and Venice, becoming the dominant species in the local algal community chiefly from February to July. In Chioggia Island, where another brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum) is present since 1992, the spreading of Undaria reaches a plateau. In Venice Island, instead, the colonisation process is still in progress. During 1999, the kelp has colonised the main canals (e.g. The Grand Canal) and, subsequently, the small inner ones. In order to evaluate the dynamics of substrate re-colonisation by Undaria, two mechanical eradications were carried out during (March) and after the fertile period (July) of the algae. Such experimental manipulations provided evidence of the fast re-colonisation potential of the algae mainly attributable to its efficient reproductive system. Eradication made during the fertile period, in fact, permitted the kelp development during the following year, while re-colonisation has started 2 years later where eradication was performed after the reproductive period. A significant decrease in the surface covered by other species has been observed both in shallow (Ulva rigida, Enteromorpha spp., Antithamnion pectinatum, Chondracanthus acicularis) and deeper areas (Rhodymenia ardissonei) during the period of maximum development of U. pinnatifida. On the basis of the results of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) the alga U. pinnatifida is continuously expanding in lagoon environments of Venice; (2) in order to limit its spreading, mechanical eradications would be done on a large spatial scale and before the zoospores release; (3) there is suggestive evidence of competition between Undaria and the remaining indigenous algae.     

褐藻裙带菜色素—蛋白质复合物的分离与命名

以非离子去污剂癸基－Ｎ－甲基葡萄糖胺为增溶剂,采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术从褐藻裙带菜（Ｕｎｄａｒｉａ ｐｉｎｎａｔｉｆｉｄａ Ｈａｒｖ．）的类囊体膜上分离到８种色素－蛋白质复合物。根据其表观分子量、光谱特性和多肽分析结果,并以高等植物菠菜（Ｓｐｉｎａｃｉａ ｏｌｅｒａｃｅａ Ｌ．）为对照,按照Ａｎｄｅｒｓｏｎ命名系统,８种色素－蛋白质复合物分别命名为ＣＰⅠ ａ、ＣＰⅠ、ＣＰａ、ＬＨＣ１、ＬＨＣ２、     

Mutant induction in gametophytes of Undaria pinnatifida (Phaeophyceae) by heavy ion beam irradiation

Undaria pinnatifida, the brown macroalga, is a major commercial edible seaweed, and there is increasing interest in breeding new, improved cultivars for market expansion. In this study, we attempted to establish mutagenesis in U. pinnatifida using Ar and C ion beams as mutagens to meet future demands. To screen irradiated generations for mutants, U. pinnatifida zoospores irradiated with Ar and C ion beams were cultivated in plastic Petri dishes. Some gametophytes derived from the irradiated zoospores showed growth arrest or cell death at the initial developmental stage. Although the growth inhibition and lethal effects were observed at high doses of each ion irradiation, the Ar ion irradiation had high biological effects on cell division and growth. The gametophytes that showed a reduction in cell elongation were designated as an inhibited cell elongation mutant. A comparison of the mutant induction frequencies revealed that the C ion beam showed a higher frequency than the Ar ion beam. The highest frequency was 0.83% at 12.5 Gy of the C ion beam. We determined the total number of sporophytes and embryos per female gametophyte after sporophyte induction. High‐dose irradiation with the Ar ion beam decreased the embryo and sporophyte formation, suggesting that the Ar ion beam also has exhibited high biological effects on the fertilization or embryogenesis processes or both. The developed heavy ion mutagenesis and mutant screening methods would be useful for mutation breeding and constructing specific mutant libraries in brown algae, and not only in U. pinnatifida.     

Mucilages from the Ripe Fertile Frond of Undaria pinnatifida f. distans

The fractionation of the water extractable mucilage from the ripe fertile frond of Undaria pinnatifida f distans Miyabe et Okamura was studied. By an acid treatment, CPC-complex method, and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography this mucilage was separated into eleven fractions, of which the main polysaccharides were two fucogalactan sulfates (CPC-C-NaOH and CPC-N-NaOH) and an alginic acid. Judging by the ultracentrifugal analysis the formers are respectively composed of one component. They are probably identical, if their molecular sizes may differ slightly each other. Contents of the constituents in them are as follows: CPC-C-NaOH (main fucogalactan sulfate): fucose, 16; galactose, 21.5; sulfuric acid, 27.5%. CPC-N-NaOH (minor fucogalactan sulfate): fucose, 20.0; galactose, 30.7; sulfuric acid, 31.2%. Therefore, there exists in those compounds one sulfate residue per each sugar.

The ratio of d-mannuronic acid to l-guluronic acid in the alginic acid was found 0.87; and this value changed, by the KCI fractionation of it, to 1.64 for the KCI-insoluble fraction and to 0.76 for the KCI-soluble fraction.