Microalgae and Thraustochytrids are Sustainable Sources of Vegan EPA and DHA with Commercial Feasibility.

Vegan diets preclude the availability of some of the essential fatty acids supplied by foods of animal origin. Significantly, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are long-chain (LC)-omega - 3 (n - 3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), widely known for preventing a variety of metabolic diseases. In addition to vegan-food supplements, there is increasing demand for infant foods and health foods from dietary sources of EPA and DHA from plant origin.

Marmesin and Marmelosin Interact with the Heparan Sulfatase-2 Active Site: Potential Mechanism for Phytochemicals from Bael Fruit Extract as Antitumor Therapeutics.

Human heparan sulfatase-2 (HSULF-2) is an oncoprotein overexpressed in the surface of all types of tumor cells and its activity plays a critical role in cancer survival and progression. Our previous studies have shown that bael fruit extract, containing marmesin and marmelosin, inhibits the HSULF-2 activity and kills breast tumor cells, but the mechanism of these processes remains fairly known mainly because the HSULF-2's 3D structure is partially known. Herein, we aimed at providing an molecular mechanism of the inhibition of human HSULF-2 by phytochemicals from bael fruit extract.

Isoflavones derived from plant raw materials: bioavailability, anti-cancer, anti-aging potentials, and microbiome modulation.

Isoflavones are secondary metabolites that represent the most abundant category of plant polyphenols. Dietary soy, kudzu, and red clover contain primarily genistein, daidzein, glycitein, puerarin, formononetin, and biochanin A. The structural similarity of these compounds to β-estradiol has demonstrated protection against age-related and hormone-dependent diseases in both genders.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of astaxanthin and astaxanthin esters from microalga-Haematococcus pluvialis.

Effect of isolated astaxanthin (ASX) and astaxanthin esters (ASXEs) from green microalga-Haematococcus pluvialis on hepatotoxicity and antioxidant activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced toxicity in rats was compared with synthetic astaxanthin (SASX). ASX, ASXEs, and SASX, all dissolved in olive oil, fed to rats with 100 and 250 μg/kg b.w for 14 days.

Metabolic engineering of Dunaliella salina for production of ketocarotenoids.

Dunaliella is a commercially important marine alga producing high amount of β-carotene. The use of Dunaliella as a potential transgenic system for the production of recombinant proteins has been recently recognized. The present study reports for the first time the metabolic engineering of carotenoid biosynthesis in Dunaliella salina for ketocarotenoid production.

Supercritical CO2 extraction of functional compounds from Spirulina and their biological activity.

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction and fractionation of Spirulina platensis was carried out to obtain functional compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial and enzyme inhibitory activities. Extraction of SCCO2 was carried out using 200 g of Spirulina powder at 40 ºC under 120 bar pressure with CO2 flow rate of 1.2 kg h(-1).

Regulation of astaxanthin and its intermediates through cloning and genetic transformation of β-carotene ketolase in Haematococcus pluvialis.

Astaxanthin, a high-value ketocarotenoid used in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries is mainly produced from green alga, Haematococcus pluvialis. It is biosynthesized by the action of key enzyme, β-carotene ketolase (BKT) on β-carotene through intermediates echinenone and canthaxanthin. In this study, the β-carotene ketolase (bkt) gene was isolated from H.

Selection and evaluation of CO2 tolerant indigenous microalga Scenedesmus dimorphus for unsaturated fatty acid rich lipid production under different culture conditions.

Five indigenous microalgal strains of Scenedesmus, Chlorococcum, Coelastrum, and Ankistrodesmus genera, isolated from Indian fresh water habitats, were studied for carbon-dioxide tolerance and its effect on growth, lipid and fatty acid profile. Scenedesmus dimorphus strain showed maximum growth (1.5 g/L) and lipid content (17.

Effective inhibition of skin cancer, tyrosinase, and antioxidative properties by astaxanthin and astaxanthin esters from the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis.

Astaxanthin mono- (AXME) and diesters (AXDE) were characterized and examined for anticancer potency with total carotenoids (TC) and astaxanthin (AX) against UV-7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin cancer model in rat. At 200 μg/kg bw, AXDE and AXME reduced UV-DMBA-induced tumor incidences up to 96 and 88%, respectively, when compared to AX (66%) and TC (85%). UV-DMBA has been known to generate high levels of free radicals and tyrosinase enzyme, leading to characteristic symptoms of skin pigmentation and tumor initiation.

In vitro propagation and genetic fidelity study of plant regenerated from inverted hypocotyl explants of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cv. Arka Shirish.

Genetic variation due to somaclonal variation in micropropagated plants is a beneficial phenomenon for crop improvement. Genetic integrity of the plants derived through micropropagation becomes crucial if genetic transformation studies have to be carried out. Somaclonal variation in tissue culture is a common phenomenon which makes it mandatory to check for genetic stability of plants.

Protocol for augmented shoot organogenesis in selected variety of soybean [Glycine max L. (Merr.)].

Development of a reproducible, versatile and efficient in vitro plant regeneration system is highly warranted for Indian soybean varieties for their mass multiplication in view of their commercial significance. Accordingly a protocol for direct shoot organogenesis in soybean variety JS 335 has been developed. Using cotyledonary node explants significant organogenic responses, mean shoot number and shoot length were observed when these were incubated on MS medium supplemented with 0.

Cultivation of green alga Botryococcus braunii in raceway, circular ponds under outdoor conditions and its growth, hydrocarbon production.

The present study focused on cultivation, seasonal variation in growth, hydrocarbon production, fatty acids profiles of Botryococcus braunii (LB-572 and N-836) in raceway & circular ponds under outdoor conditions. After 18days of cultivation the biomass yield and hydrocarbon contents were increased in both raceway and circular ponds. The fat content was found to be around 24% (w/w) with palmitic and oleic acids as prominent fatty acids.

Functional validation of Capsicum frutescens aminotransferase gene involved in vanillylamine biosynthesis using Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation studies in Nicotiana tabacum and Capsicum frutescens calli cultures.

Capsaicinoid biosynthesis involves the participation of two substrates viz. vanillylamine and C(9)-C(11) fatty acid moieties. Vanillylamine which is a derivative of vanillin is synthesized through a transaminase reaction in the phenylpropanoid pathway of capsaicinoid synthesis.

Studies on development and storage stability of instant spice adjunct mix from seaweed (Eucheuma).

Seaweed is a macroscopic marine algae which has been used as human food since ancient times. Food values of seaweed are mainly due to significant amounts of protein, vitamin, mineral, trace elements and dietary fibre apart from substances of antibiotic nature. In this study edible red seaweed Eucheuma (Kappaphycus alvarezzi), was used as an ingredient in the preparation of spice adjunct.

Influence of abiotic stress signals on secondary metabolites in plants.

Plant secondary metabolites are unique sources for pharmaceuticals, food additives, flavors, and industrially important biochemicals. Accumulation of such metabolites often occurs in plants subjected to stresses including various elicitors or signal molecules. Secondary metabolites play a major role in the adaptation of plants to the environment and in overcoming stress conditions.

Melatonin and serotonin profiles in beans of Coffea species.

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and an electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) methods were applied to quantify the profiles of melatonin and serotonin (5-HT) in green and roasted beans of Coffea canephora (robusta) and Coffea arabica (arabica). Both melatonin and 5-HT were detected in green coffee beans (5.8±0.

Acute, subacute and subchronic safety assessment of betalains rich Rivina humilis L. berry juice in rats.

Rivina humilis L. (Phytolaccaceae) accumulates vacuolar pigments betalains. These pigments are synthesized by plants of 11 families in the order caryophyllales.

Phytoserotonin: a review.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; SER) is one of the well-studied indoleamine neurotransmitter in vertebrates. Recently SER has also been reported in wide range of plant species. The precise function of SER at the physiological level, particularly growth regulation, flowering, xylem sap exudation, ion permeability and plant morphogenesis in plant system has not been clear.

Photoperiod influences endogenous indoleamines in cultured green alga Dunaliella bardawil.

Effect of light intensity and photoperiod on growth, indoleamines and carotenoid production was studied in unicellular green algae D. bardawil. Maximum biomass and carotenoid contents were found when cultures were grown in light (intensity of 2.

Pigment identification, antioxidant activity, and nutrient composition of Tinospora cordifolia (willd.) Miers ex Hook. f & Thoms fruit.

The stem, leaf, and root of Tinospora cordifolia (willd.) have been highly exploited for medicinal preparations; however, the nutritional and nutraceutical potential of its attractive red berries (fruits) have not so far been studied. Pigments, berberine (107.

Purification, identification, and characterization of methylcobalamin from Spirulina platensis.

The present study reports methylcobalamin in Spirulina platensis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), microbiological assay, chemiluminescence assay, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Extraction of vitamin B12 from S. platensis was carried out without using cyanide.

Characterization of microalgal carotenoids by mass spectrometry and their bioavailability and antioxidant properties elucidated in rat model.

Of the total carotenoids in respective algal samples, beta-carotene in Spirulina platensis was 69.5%, astaxanthin and its esters in Haematococcus pluvialis was 81.38%, and lutein in Botryococcus braunii was 74.

Indoleamines and calcium channels influence morphogenesis in in vitro cultures of Mimosa pudica L.

The present article reports the interplay of indoleamine neurohormones viz. serotonin, melatonin and calcium channels on shoot organogenesis in Mimosa pudica L. In vitro grown nodal segments were cultured on MS medium with B5 vitamins containing Serotonin (SER) and Melatonin (MEL) at 100 microM and indoleamine inhibitors viz.

Identification of carotenoids from green alga Haematococcus pluvialis by HPLC and LC-MS (APCI) and their antioxidant properties.

Haematococcus pluvialis, a green alga accumulates astaxathin upto 2-3% on dry weight basis. In the present study, identification of carotenoids from Haematococcus cyst cell extract by HPLC and LC-MS (APCI) and their antioxidant properties were evaluated in vitro model systems. The extract exhibited 89% and 78% antioxidant activity in beta-carotene linoleate model, and hydroxyl radical scavenging model at 9 ppm of total carotenoid respectively.

AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION IN THE GREEN ALGA HAEMATOCOCCUS PLUVIALIS (CHLOROPHYCEAE, VOLVOCALES)(1).

The first successful Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis Flot. using the binary vectors hosting the genes coding for GUS (β-glucuronidase), GFP (green fluorescent protein), and hpt (hygromycin phosphotransferase) is reported here. Colonies resistant to hygromycin at 10 mg · L(-1) expressed β-glucuronidase.