Project description:The aim of this study was to elucidate which changes in gene expression are related to the induced anti-herbivory response in the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus. Microarray hybridizations were used to identify genes differentially expressed in response to grazing by the isopod Idotea baltica. This study shows that modifications in gene expression occur simultaneously to a reduced palatability and that defence induction entails reallocation of resources from primary to secondary metabolism with down-regulation of photosynthesis and degradation of storage compounds. Total RNA of Fucus vesiculosus pieces that were or were not previously grazed by Idotea baltica for 15 and 18 days (3 biological replicates each) was hybridized against pooled RNA from 4 F. vesiculosus pieces that were collected before onset of grazing (day 0).
Project description:The aim of this study was to elucidate changes in gene expression related to the induced anti-herbivory response in the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus. Microarray hybridizations were used to identify genes differentially expressed in response to grazing by the periwinkle Littorina obtusata. This study shows that modifications in gene expression occur simultaneously to a reduced palatability and that defence induction entails reallocation of resources from primary to secondary metabolism with down-regulation of photosynthesis. Total RNA of Fucus vesiculosus pieces that were or were not previously grazed by Littorina obtusata for 3, 12, 15, 21, and 24 days (5 biological replicates each) was hybridized against pooled RNA from 5 F. vesiculosus pieces that were collected before onset of grazing (day 0).
Project description:Hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor of coronary heart disease (as established through various previously conducted studies) and it's rising incidence is creating a need for the immediate attention of it's management. Instead of focusing on the controversies involving the toxicity caused due to the long-term use of statin therapy in conventional mode of treatment, opting for a safer alternative system of treatment seems important. Five cases of diagnosed HTG, with triglyceride levels above 200 were treated with homoeopathic medicine - Fucus vesiculosus, in mother tincture form. The primary outcome measure was to evaluate the reduction in the blood triglyceride levels. All the five cases showed a reduction in triglyceride levels to normal range within 4 months of starting the treatment with the Fucus vesiculosus mother tincture. Also, it was observed that the borderline cholesterol levels and high LDL levels in 2 cases were found to reduce to normal. Treatment involving Fucus vesiculosus in cases diagnosed with HTG showed significant reduction in triglyceride levels along with other parameters of lipid profile. Further authentication of results with significant sample sizes may be taken up.
Project description:The aim of this study was to elucidate changes in gene expression related to the induced anti-herbivory response in the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus. Microarray hybridizations were used to identify genes differentially expressed in response to grazing by the periwinkle Littorina obtusata. This study shows that modifications in gene expression occur simultaneously to a reduced palatability and that defence induction entails reallocation of resources from primary to secondary metabolism with down-regulation of photosynthesis.
Project description:Brown macroalgae, particularly those from Fucus genus, are a rich and balanced source of bioactive nutrients and phytochemicals, such as dietary fibres (fucoidans, laminarins, and/or alginates), phlorotannins, and fucoxanthin, and some minerals, such as iodine, which have been demonstrated to possess numerous health-promoting properties. In fact, aqueous extracts of Fucus vesiculosus have been used as food supplements due to its rich content in bioactive compounds, though no study has been published on the optimization of this operation. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of different extraction temperatures (25 °C, 50 °C, 75 °C, 100 °C, and 120 °C) and times (5 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h) on the recovery of those bioactive compounds. The temperature was observed to positively influence the extraction of crude mass and of fucose polysaccharides only at 75 °C and above, and of iodine extraction at 50 °C and above. At these temperatures, time also showed to increase yields. Yields of crude extract, fucose, and iodine were successfully mathematically modelled with a power law, and its maximum yields were obtained at the highest temperature studied (120 °C) and longest extraction time (4 h). Iodine yield at these conditions provided extracts with relevant content to contribute to the recommended daily ingestion. Phlorotannins were significantly recovered at 120 °C though evidence of degradation was observed during time.