abstract
Macroalgae are emerging as a promising resource for multiple applications in food and pharmaceutical industries owing to their potential as a rich resource of both nutritional and bioactive compounds. Here, we explore the influence of environmental conditions on the biochemical composition of the red seaweed Palmaria palmata, in relation to their growth potential. Palmaria palmata specimens were grown under different conditions for twelve weeks, including temperatures of 12, 15, and 17 degrees C, irradiance levels of 14 and 19 mu mol m(- 2) s(- 1) and two nutrient conditions. Growth was assessed by measuring the relative growth rates of the seaweed. Biochemical composition (i.e., sugar, lipid, fatty acid, phycobiliprotein, and nitrogen content) was evaluated with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for qualitative data and spectrophotometric and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for quantitative analysis. The polyunsaturated fatty acid content of P. palmata peaked under nutrient-rich conditions at 12 degrees C and 14 mu mol m(-)(2) s(-)(1), which coincided with the highest observed growth rate of the seaweed. In contrast, higher temperatures exhibited a positive correlation with protein and xylan content, although this was accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant properties. Besides, galactose-rich compounds and R-phycoerythrin content were significantly higher in P. palmata grown at 12 degrees C. The study effectively showed that the growth and chemical composition of P. palmata vary under different environmental conditions, demonstrating potential to be a source of different nutritious and health-promoting compounds by modulating the culture conditions that can maximize specific compounds able to provide health benefits.
keywords
CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION; PIGMENT COMPOSITION; SEASONAL-VARIATION; PROTEIN-CONTENT; FATTY-ACIDS; NITROGEN; LIGHT; AQUACULTURE; SEAWEEDS; EXTRACTION
subject category
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Marine & Freshwater Biology
authors
Semmouri, I; Vanhercke, S; Ferreira, AS; Knoop, J; De Clerck, O; Nunes, C; Coimbra, MA; Mesquita, LMD; Ventura, SPM; Janssen, CR; Asselman, J
our authors
Cláudia Nunes
Assistant Researcher
Sónia Patrícia Marques Ventura
Assistant ProfessorProjects
Collaboratory for Emerging Technologies, CoLab (EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
The research leading to the data presented in this publication was carried out with infrastructure partially funded by EMBRC Belgium - FWO project I001621N. IS was supported by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) with a travel grant for a long stay abroad in Aveiro, Portugal (FWO grant V403023N). This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO Aveiro Institute of Materials, UID/50011/2025 (DOI https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/50011/2025) & LA/P/0006/2020 (DOI https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0006/2020), financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). CN is grateful to Portuguese national funds (OE), through FCT, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19 (DL 57/2016/CP1482/CT0031). LM de SM acknowledges "Fundac & atilde;o de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de S & atilde;o Paulo" FAPESP Post Doctoral project under BEPE category (2021/11022-1). Finally, we want to acknowledge the BlueMarine.com3 project (VLAIO AIOSBO2019001503) for providing us with the cultured Palmaria strains.