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Ulva lactuca (sea lettuce) is a popular food for consumers and has high nutritional value. It has also been found to be a source of health-promoting substances, including a high amount of proteins which can be utilized as a future plant-based functional ingredient in the food industry. However, before extensive applications in the aforementioned fields, it is crucial to ensure the extracts' biological-pharmacological activities and their safety. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of the sea lettuce extract. We tested cytotoxicity by MTT assays on 5 cell lines, including fibroblast (L929), macrophages (RAW 264.7), hepatocytes (FL83B), keratinocytes (HaCaT) and normal colon (CCD-18co) cells. Genotoxicity of the extract was tested by comet and micronucleus assays on human lymphoblast cells (TK6). Our results demonstrated at a concentration lower than 50 µg/mL the extract did not show any cytotoxicity as well as genotoxicity. The extract was shown to possess high antioxidant capacity by DPPH and ABTS scavenging at the EC50 value of U. lactuca extracts was 631.84 ± 5.64 and 330.35 ± 19.49 µg/mL, respectively. Therefore, the extract may be safely used as an ingredient for food, that should help to ensure food security for humans in the future, as well as for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and other healthpromoting products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma (GBM) considered as aggressive brain cancer with high mortality rate in patients even after surgical resection. Resistant to chemotherapy is the major problem in GBM therapy. Discovery of novel bioactive compounds from algae is being investigated as alternative sources for potential treatment as well as prevention in glioblastoma. This study revealed the effects of marine red algae extract from hexane solvent fraction of Halymenia durvillei (HDHE) on proliferation and cell death in A172 human GBM cells. HDHE decreased proliferation and promoted cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. HDHE induced apoptotic cell death in A172 cells through mitochondrial membrane dysfunction, the decrease of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression, and activation of caspase 3/7. Moreover, HDHE increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and accumulation of LC3-II, an autophagic marker. The docked conformation of palmitic acid, a major component of HDHE, showed a high affinity binding to TP53 and Beclin-1 as cell death-related target molecules. This research conclusively demonstrated that HDHE might serve as a potent anticancer agent against glioblastoma by promoting apoptotic and autophagic cell death in A172 human GBM cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulva green macroalgae or sea lettuce are rich sources of protein with nutritional benefits that promote health as a future plant-based functional ingredient in the food industry. Alkaline pretreatment improved ultrasonic-assisted protein extraction from Ulva rigida biomass. Parameters affecting ultrasonic-assisted extraction of protein were type of solvent, biomass-solvent ratio, biomass preparation and extraction cycle. In vitro digestibility was evaluated from oven- and freeze-dried biomass. Results showed highest concentration and extraction yield of protein from U. rigida using alkaline rather than acid and distilled water. A high biomass–solvent ratio at 1:10 or 0.1 g mL−1 increased protein extraction. Higher alkaline concentration increased protein extraction. Highest protein extractability was 8.5% dry matter from freeze-dried U. rigida biomass, with highest protein extraction and antioxidant activity from extraction of U. rigida macroalgae at high alkaline concentrations. U. rigida macroalgae oven-dried biomass presented suitable human digestibility. Efficient pretreatment of U. rigida maximized protein hydrolysate and bioactive peptide production for wide-ranging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brine shrimp Artemia is a highly required, convenient and cost‐effective live food used in fish and shellfish larviculture. Its cysts, originating from a limited number of inland salt lakes, are traded worldwide. Over the past decades, Artemia pond production in solar saltworks, integrated with salt production, has emerged as an alternative to cope with possible cyst shortages and high prices on the international market and as a tool to fulfill local cyst and Artemia biomass demands associated with local and regional aquaculture developments. This article reviews the principles of Artemia pond production and how it is practiced in terms of general management. It also describes the distinctive features that have evolved in various countries, due to geographical, environmental and socio‐economic characteristics and the local aquaculture context. It highlights the lessons that may be learnt from previous successes and failures for new areas where the technique may be introduced. The principles of Artemia pond production are also discussed in the light of global and local Artemia biodiversity, as its protection is key to support the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. This review pioneers in bringing this information, much of which was restricted to grey literature until now, under the attention of the international scientific audience. Future research and development should focus on continued proper management to secure cyst production and to maximize cyst quantities. Moreover, using the information provided by the Artemia genome will allow as well to strive for improved cyst quality, by producing strains with specific market characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]