New Insights on the Sporulation, Germination, and Nutritional Profile of <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> (Rhodophyta) Grown under Controlled Conditions
The red seaweed <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> is a widely cultivated species known for its high agar content. It is also an important source of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The chemical profile of seaweed depends on the cultivation methods used and the growing conditions to which they...
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MDPI AG
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/9/6/562 |
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| author | Marta V. Freitas Teresa Mouga Ana Patrícia Correia Clélia Afonso Teresa Baptista |
| author_facet | Marta V. Freitas Teresa Mouga Ana Patrícia Correia Clélia Afonso Teresa Baptista |
| author_sort | Marta V. Freitas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The red seaweed <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> is a widely cultivated species known for its high agar content. It is also an important source of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The chemical profile of seaweed depends on the cultivation methods used and the growing conditions to which they are exposed. Thus, two independent methods of sporulation and germination were tested upon <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> grown in controlled conditions. During the tests, different substrates, culture media and incubation times were tested to induce cystocarp maturation. The results showed that cystocarp maturation and spore release were successful, with a visible volume increase and format change in the protruding cystocarps. Furthermore, the process of maturation to germination was accomplished, fulfilling the complete life cycle. In parallel, the nutritional profile of the biomass obtained was evaluated and compared with the nutritional values of biomass collected from the environment. Results showed no significant differences between wild specimens and cultivated ones in organic matter, ash content, lipid content, carbohydrates, or phycocolloid content. The present work, therefore, presents two simple alternative methods with potential applications in start-ups aimed at the cultivation of seaweed. Through these methods, it is possible to obtain biomass with nutritional characteristics similar to those obtained in the wild. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:08:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8ccf0b394ee34bec94afb92b23c2155f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:08:28Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-8ccf0b394ee34bec94afb92b23c2155f2023-11-21T21:00:50ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122021-05-019656210.3390/jmse9060562New Insights on the Sporulation, Germination, and Nutritional Profile of <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> (Rhodophyta) Grown under Controlled ConditionsMarta V. Freitas0Teresa Mouga1Ana Patrícia Correia2Clélia Afonso3Teresa Baptista4MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Edifício Cetemares, Av. Porto de Pesca, 2520-641 Peniche, PortugalMARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Edifício Cetemares, Av. Porto de Pesca, 2520-641 Peniche, PortugalMARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Edifício Cetemares, Av. Porto de Pesca, 2520-641 Peniche, PortugalMARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Edifício Cetemares, Av. Porto de Pesca, 2520-641 Peniche, PortugalMARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Edifício Cetemares, Av. Porto de Pesca, 2520-641 Peniche, PortugalThe red seaweed <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> is a widely cultivated species known for its high agar content. It is also an important source of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The chemical profile of seaweed depends on the cultivation methods used and the growing conditions to which they are exposed. Thus, two independent methods of sporulation and germination were tested upon <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> grown in controlled conditions. During the tests, different substrates, culture media and incubation times were tested to induce cystocarp maturation. The results showed that cystocarp maturation and spore release were successful, with a visible volume increase and format change in the protruding cystocarps. Furthermore, the process of maturation to germination was accomplished, fulfilling the complete life cycle. In parallel, the nutritional profile of the biomass obtained was evaluated and compared with the nutritional values of biomass collected from the environment. Results showed no significant differences between wild specimens and cultivated ones in organic matter, ash content, lipid content, carbohydrates, or phycocolloid content. The present work, therefore, presents two simple alternative methods with potential applications in start-ups aimed at the cultivation of seaweed. Through these methods, it is possible to obtain biomass with nutritional characteristics similar to those obtained in the wild.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/9/6/562Rhodophytasporulationgerminationlife cyclebiochemical profileseaweed culture |
| spellingShingle | Marta V. Freitas Teresa Mouga Ana Patrícia Correia Clélia Afonso Teresa Baptista New Insights on the Sporulation, Germination, and Nutritional Profile of <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> (Rhodophyta) Grown under Controlled Conditions Journal of Marine Science and Engineering Rhodophyta sporulation germination life cycle biochemical profile seaweed culture |
| title | New Insights on the Sporulation, Germination, and Nutritional Profile of <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> (Rhodophyta) Grown under Controlled Conditions |
| title_full | New Insights on the Sporulation, Germination, and Nutritional Profile of <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> (Rhodophyta) Grown under Controlled Conditions |
| title_fullStr | New Insights on the Sporulation, Germination, and Nutritional Profile of <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> (Rhodophyta) Grown under Controlled Conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | New Insights on the Sporulation, Germination, and Nutritional Profile of <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> (Rhodophyta) Grown under Controlled Conditions |
| title_short | New Insights on the Sporulation, Germination, and Nutritional Profile of <i>Gracilaria gracilis</i> (Rhodophyta) Grown under Controlled Conditions |
| title_sort | new insights on the sporulation germination and nutritional profile of i gracilaria gracilis i rhodophyta grown under controlled conditions |
| topic | Rhodophyta sporulation germination life cycle biochemical profile seaweed culture |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/9/6/562 |
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