The use of seaweed extracts as biostimulants to promote enhancements in other seaweed crops is gaining momentum. Here we examined if the seaweed-derived biostimulant Ascophyllum marine plant extract powder – AMPEP, enhanced growth and thermal tolerance of cultured thalli of Neopyropia yezoensis when grown under optimal and sub-optimal temperature conditions. We also examined if enhancements could be transferred to new blades through archeospore germination. Area, specific growth rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protein content of thalli were measured as indicators of potential enhancement. The application of AMPEP significantly increased growth rates in thalli of N. yezoensis grown under optimal temperature conditions, whilst the thalli showed no indications of improved thermal tolerance. The collated data suggested that growth enhancement could be transferred from treated thalli to newly formed blades, which developed from archeospores. This study provides new evidence of the far-reaching potential of using extracts of selected seaweeds as biostimulants to support the cultivation of economically important Neopyropia species.
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The increasing cost of synthetic fertilizers and conventional agrochemicals calls for an urgent search for next generation of environmental-friendly competitive fertilizers and growth stimulants that enhance the essential oil content and composition of traditional global medicinal plants such as mint (Men- tha×piperita L.“chocolate”) and sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L. “purple ruffle”). The study aims to evaluate the morphological and physiological effects of seaweed extracts (Ascophyllum nodosum) doses and application methods on mint and basil plants essential oil composition and its respective antibacte- rial activities. The plants were subjected to two doses of foliar/drench weekly applications of A. nodosum extracts at 5 and 7 mL L−1 for 12 weeks. A. nodosum extracts drench and foliar treatments increased leaf number and area, dry weights, and plant height of both plants. In mint and basil plants, there were increases in the essential oil content and enhanced composition following A. nodosum treatments. In mint plants, the drench application of 7 mL L−1 SWE had the highest oil contents of l-menthone (32.4%) and l-menthol (32.6%) while basil treated plants showed the highest composition of chavicol methyl ether (38.7%), linalool (29.1%), and cineol (9.1%). Additionally decreasing of potentially toxic pulegone and methofuran in mint oil was noticed. A. nodosum treated plants showed higher antibacterial poten- tial than control. In mint and basil plants, the highest antibacterial activity found was in the essential oil of mint plants drenched with 7 mL L−1 SWE and the antibacterial activities of mint oils were higher than basil. The biostimulant effect of A. nodosum extract treatments was attributed to the macro- and micro-elements composition as well as the carbohydrate contents.
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The contribution of the DOST-PCARRD AFNR Project 2.3 from SY 2009-2011 has demonstrated transformed changes in the AFNR curriculum. These changes are well recognized as it has attracted more enrollees in the region’s dwindling AFNR courses. The study presented the implementation of the AFNR Project 2.3 in Zamboanga Peninsula as an intervention to the observed down trend enrolment in the AFNR courses since SY 2001 onwards. The AFNR Project 2.3 was implemented for the duration of two years from SY Feb 2009-Feb 2011. The project at the regional level enabled students’ preparation for employability, equipped them with entrepreneurial skills, with the integration of strong S & T contents in the courses through the modular approach. The Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) played the lead institution in the region with three collaborating SUCs, namely, JH Cerilles State College (JHCSC), Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST), and the two campuses of Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU). Towards the end of its implementation for the second year, the project achieved the following gains based on its objectives: (a) Enriched 10 BS curricular programs (b) reviewed 81 AFNR subjects (c)enriched at least 70 courses in the 10 BS AFNR Programs and (d) introduced 30 short term courses respectively.
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New sources of protein are required to supplement current animal- and plant-protein. Here, we quantify the quality and yield of four protein-enriched biomass products (PEB-I to PEB-IV) and a protein isolate (PI) from the commercially produced seaweed Ulva ohnoi. To decrease the content of components of the biomass that may be undesirable in feed, we have developed a multi-step biorefinery process to produce salt, sulfated polysaccharides (ulvan), and protein products. The content of protein increased from 22.2 ± 0.4% dry weight (dw) in unprocessed biomass to between 39.5 ± 1.9% in the PEB-IV and 45.5 ± 0.8% in the PI. The quality (mol % of essential amino acids [EAA]) of the protein products was similar to soybean meal, with 41.6 ± 0.1 and 43.4 ± 0.1 mol% EAA in PEB-I and the PI, respectively. The yield of PEB products varied from 16.3 ± 0.8 to 41.0 ± 0.8% of the unprocessed biomass, with PEB-I > PEB-II = PEB-III > PEB-IV. The yield of all PEB products was more than four-fold greater than the PI (4.4%). Conservatively, the biomass productivity of U. ohnoi is 70 t dw ha−1 year−1 resulting in a projected annual production (t dw ha−1 year−1 ) of 24 t of salt, 4.3 t of ulvan, 29 t of PEB-I, or 3.2 t of PI using this biorefinery process. With nine-fold higher yield, and a protein product of similar quality to the PI, we recommend producing PEB-I by concentrating the protein through the extraction of salt and ulvan over the extraction of a PI for the development of food and feed products.
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This policy brief highlights key challenges that must be addressed for the long-term sustainability of the global seaweed industry, ensuring its role in providing nature-based solutions within the sustainable ocean economy agenda and in contributing to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 – 2030).
Seaweed production has grown rapidly over the past 50 years. It currently accounts for over 50 % of total global marine production, equating to ~35 million tonnes. In 2019, the industry’s total value was estimated at USD 14.7 billion. The seaweed value chain supports the livelihoods of approximately 6 million small-scale farmers and processors, both men and women, many of whom live in coastal communities in low- and middle-income countries.
The aquaculture sector is increasingly interested in seaweed because of its potential for greater use in food, food supplements, animal feed, fertiliser and biostimulants, and in alternatives to fossil fuels and their derived products, such as plastics. Its cultivation can help restore degraded environments, increase ocean biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change and coastal acidification by capturing carbon and other nutrients. In low-, middle- and high-income countries, the seaweed industry has a wide-ranging potential to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular, SDG 14 (life below water), SDG13 (climate action), SDG6 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG5 (gender equality).
The global seaweed industry, however, faces significant challenges. For future sustainability, improvements are urgently needed in biosecurity and traceability, pest and disease identification and outbreak reporting, risk analysis to prevent transboundary spread, the establishment of high quality, disease-free seed-banks and nurseries and the conservation of genetic diversity in wild stocks.
These improvements require technological innovation, capacity building and effective gender-responsive and co-ordinated policies, incentives and regulations. They will need to enhance occupational safety, whilst increasing the industry’s resilience to the impacts of climate change and production hazards, such as pest and disease outbreaks. To align with the SDGs, particular attentions will need to be paid to small scale farmers and processors to ensure that the globalisation of seaweed aquaculture supports the development of sustainable, resilient and inclusive livelihoods.
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In fits and starts, Maine's seaweed industry is growing. Entrepreneurs are trying to create new markets for seaweed-based products, like fertilizers, pet medicines, condiments, even granola. But as harvests rise off Maine's coast, so do some concerns that the resource needs protection.
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The potential of algae-based biofuels to replace petroleum fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas production through microalgal photosynthesis has long been recognized. However, currently there are no commercial algae-to-fuels technologies that can overcome techno-economic barriers and address serious sustainability concerns. Coupling microalgae cultivation with wastewater treatment is considered as one of the most promising routes to produce bio-energy and bio-based byproducts in an economically viable and environmentally friendly way. This paper critically reviews the current status of this specific niche research area covering utilization of different types of wastewaters as media for algae cultivation, microalgae selection, bioreactor type, cultivation mode, environmental factors and operational parameters as well as harvesting techniques and production of a broad spectrum of biofuels and byproducts through various conversion pathways. Future development of practical solutions to key problems and integration of advanced algae cultivation and wastewater treatment, and system analysis approach to the evaluation of economic feasibility and sustainability of wastewater-based algal biofuel production are also discussed in depth.
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The potential of algae-based biofuels to replace petroleum fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas production through microalgal photosynthesis has long been recognized. However, currently there are no commercial algae-to-fuels technologies that can overcome techno-economic barriers and address serious sustainability concerns. Coupling microalgae cultivation with wastewater treatment is considered as one of the most promising routes to produce bio-energy and bio-based byproducts in an economically viable and environmentally friendly way. This paper critically reviews the current status of this specific niche research area covering utilization of different types of wastewaters as media for algae cultivation, microalgae selection, bioreactor type, cultivation mode, environmental factors and operational parameters as well as harvesting techniques and production of a broad spectrum of biofuels and byproducts through various conversion pathways. Future development of practical solutions to key problems and integration of advanced algae cultivation and wastewater treatment, and system analysis approach to the evaluation of economic feasibility and sustainability of wastewater-based algal biofuel production are also discussed in depth.
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Coupling algae growth on wastewater with hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is regarded as an environmentenhancing pathway for wastewater management, biomass amplification, sustainable energy generation and value-added products generation. Through this integrated pathway, microalgae can not only recover nitrogen and phosphorus, but also absorb heavy metals from the wastewater. The migration and transformation of heavy metals need to be specifically assessed and considered due to the environmental concerns associated with metal toxicity. This work reviewed recent advances with respect to bioremediation mechanisms. Particular emphasis was placed on the heavy metal migration, transformation, and the key factors involved in algal wastewater treatment and biomass conversion. Additionally, the challenges of coupling algae wastewater treatment, hydrothermal conversion, and heavy metal control were addressed. Finally, a paradigm involving enhanced algal wastewater treatment and bioenergy production for field application was proposed.
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The impact of aquaculture on the environment and effects of environment on aquaculture production have become important issues in recent years. There is evidence from many countries that environmental deterioration is a major threat to aquaculture production and product quality. There is also evidence that marine and freshwater aquaculture can cause environmental change, which in some cases may adversely affect the long-term viability of the aquaculture operation itself, or result in serious conflicts with other users of aquatic resources. These problems have led to a need to consider aquaculture as one component in the aquatic ecosystem and to plan aquaculture development in a way which makes efficient use of resources. There have been several recent reviews of impacts associated with finfish (Beveridge, 1984; NCC, 1989), mollusc (ICES, 1989; NCC, 1989) and crustacean (Phillips et al, 1990) culture but there is little information on seaweed culture.
The main environmental impacts caused by aquaculture have been reviewed in several recent publications (NCC, 1989; ICES, 1989; NCC, 1990) and can be summarised as follows:
i. physical effects, including effects on water movement, the physical structure of terrestrial and aquatic habitats and aesthetic impacts;
ii. ecological effects, including changes in water quality, primary and secondary productivity and native fisheries.
These effects have arisen in many forms of aquaculture, although impacts vary considerably depending on the nature of the culture system and species cultured, plus the environment where the culture system is located. The main impacts and problems come from intensive aquaculture with high stocking densities and supplementary feeding, but problems have also arisen in extensive aquaculture systems.
Seaweed culture has expanded rapidly over the past few years, and in 1987 3,139,473 tons (wet weight) of seaweed were produced throughout the world, the bulk produced in Eastern Asia (FAO, 1989). This expansion has brought benefits in terms of income, employment and foreign exchange, but has also been accompanied by some conflicts with other users of the coastal zone and concerns over potential environmental impacts. The aim of this review is to consider some of the environmental implications associated with seaweed culture and ways in which issues may be resolved.
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