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Recent Developments and Emerging Trends in Marine Biotechnology
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Recent Developments and Emerging Trends in Marine Biotechnology

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 19599

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Leonel Pereira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, Marine Algae Laboratory, Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & the Planet (CFE), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: marine biotechnology; phycology; biodiversity; nutraceuticals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

An important consequence of demographic pressure is the rapid consumption of living resources in an unsustainable way, preventing their renewal, with many species being put at serious risk due to overexploitation, particularly those affected by illegal, unregulated or unreported fishing or, in best case scenarios, due to non-selective and ineffective practices. These threats to the ocean require the existence of new modes of cooperation and the implementation of adaptable measures and effective management principles. Today, there is an avenue of strategic thinking regarding the conceptualization of policies for the governance, management and enhancement of the oceans on a global scale.

The oceans cover about 72% of the surface of our planet, displaying a high biodiversity that includes animals, seagrasses, macro- and microalgae, bacteria, cyanobacteria, archaebacteria and viruses. In short, all the major domains of life are present in this global habitat, which has varied ecosystems—from chasms more than 11,000 m deep and mid-ocean hydrothermal vents to salt flats where microscopic cells can survive concentrations of salt close to saturation point.

Although natural products have historically been the main source of drugs approved for the treatment of humans, the research and development focus of the pharmaceutical industry has moved away from this group of compounds. However, the growing number of molecules that have been discovered in the marine environment—mostly produced by microorganisms—and the arrival of some of these compounds on the market, show the potential of the oceans and their microbiota as a source of chemical diversity with an impact on human health. The oceans thus harbor immeasurable opportunities for the discovery of new molecules and potential biotechnological applications.

Prof. Dr. Leonel Pereira
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • marine organisms
  • marine biodiversity
  • marine algae
  • microbiota
  • aquaculture
  • stock assessment
  • bioremediation
  • carbon biosequestration
  • bioactive molecules
  • blue growth

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3703 KiB  
Article
Application of 4 × 44 Oligo Microarray to Transcriptomic Analysis of Immune Response in Rainbow Trout Infected with Aeromonas salmonicida
by Magdalena Małachowicz, Andrzej K. Siwicki, Stefan Dobosz and Roman Wenne
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(23), 12793; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132312793 - 29 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1502
Abstract
Rainbow trout, one of the most economically important aquaculture fish species worldwide, is affected by the pathogenic bacteria A. salmonicida, which causes furunculosis outbreaks, leading to huge economic losses. In this study, an oligonucleotide microarray was applied to identify transcriptional changes in [...] Read more.
Rainbow trout, one of the most economically important aquaculture fish species worldwide, is affected by the pathogenic bacteria A. salmonicida, which causes furunculosis outbreaks, leading to huge economic losses. In this study, an oligonucleotide microarray was applied to identify transcriptional changes in the skin of rainbow trout individuals in response to a bacterial infection. Overall, 656 and 434 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at 2 and 6 days after a bacterial challenge (dpi), respectively. A comparison of moribund (2 dpi) and survivor fish (6 dpi) revealed 169 DEGs. Between these were many genes involved in immune response, including lysozymes, pattern recognition receptors (c-type lectins), antimicrobial peptides (cathelicidin and hepcidin), acute-phase proteins (serum amyloids and haptoglobin), complement cascade proteins (c3, c4, c6 and c7), interleukins (il11 and il1b) and chemokines (ccl19 and cxcl8). Alterations of leptin, eicosanoids and prostaglandins have been found, which suggest metabolic remodeling in conjunction with immune response. Further, the regulation of programmed cell death genes (caspase 8, bcl2 apoptosis regulator, nfkb inhibitor alpha and heme oxygenase) and structural proteins (collagens, myosins, keratins and metalloproteinases) was observed. This study provides, for the first time, a gene expression analysis of rainbow trout skin in response to A. salmonicida infection, revealing the complexity of defense strategies in response to furunculosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Emerging Trends in Marine Biotechnology)
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19 pages, 2113 KiB  
Article
Are Toxic Substances Always Toxic? Case Studies of Different Organismal Responses Based on Brackish-Water Microphytobenthic Communities from the Baltic Sea
by Zuzanna Sylwestrzak and Aleksandra Zgrundo
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(22), 12238; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132212238 - 11 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1758
Abstract
In this manuscript, we present the results of ecotoxicological tests conducted on the Baltic microphytobenthos community consisting largely of cosmopolitan species showing the responses at the community (taxonomic composition and structure), population (abundance), and cellular (chloroplast shape) levels. The tests were carried out [...] Read more.
In this manuscript, we present the results of ecotoxicological tests conducted on the Baltic microphytobenthos community consisting largely of cosmopolitan species showing the responses at the community (taxonomic composition and structure), population (abundance), and cellular (chloroplast shape) levels. The tests were carried out for three chemicals with different modes of action on photosynthetic organisms, i.e., copper (II) chloride (at concentrations of 2·10−5 g·dm3 and 2·10−3 g·dm−3), glyphosate in the form of Roundup® (concentrations ranging from 4.2·10−2 to 8.5 g·dm−3), and the ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl (at concentrations of 1.13·10−3 g·dm−3 and 1.75·10−2 g·dm−3). The results of the study indicate that the responses of microphytobenthos at each level analysed are highly variable and difficult to predict a priori based on experiments performed on single strains. In addition, it was shown that microphytobenthic communities are relatively resistant to the substances tested, which is due to taxonomic richness and the resulting potential for substitution of sensitive taxa by more resistant taxa. The results obtained in the tests also indicate that the number of cells of individual taxa can remain at a similar level or increase over short periods of time despite the deformation of chloroplasts in a numerous group of cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Emerging Trends in Marine Biotechnology)
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15 pages, 1630 KiB  
Article
Study of the Impact of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum I on the Health Status of Queen Scallop Aequipecten opercularis
by Iva Čanak, Ines Kovačić, Ante Žunec, Željko Jakopović, Deni Kostelac, Ksenija Markov, Mauro Štifanić, Petra Burić, Neven Iveša and Jadranka Frece
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(13), 7723; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137723 - 29 Jun 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1540
Abstract
The objective of this research was to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria living in the digestive tract of the queen scallop Aequipecten opercularis and further test it as a probiotic culture on the growth of the bivalve during one month in captivity. [...] Read more.
The objective of this research was to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria living in the digestive tract of the queen scallop Aequipecten opercularis and further test it as a probiotic culture on the growth of the bivalve during one month in captivity. Classic microbiological techniques (API and MALDI TOF) were used and four different strains of Lactiplantibacillus and one Lactococcus were identified and further analyzed, namely: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum I, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 1, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 2, Lactococcus lactis, and Lactiplantibacillus brevis. The isolated cultures were further tested for the highest antimicrobial activity towards the most common marine pathogens and survival at different temperatures and pH levels. The strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum I had the best results, with the highest antimicrobial activity (77–85% pathogen growth inhibition) and the best safety standards showing no antibiotic resistance, and no ability to synthesize biogenic amine and degrade red blood cells. Considering all the abovementioned characteristics, the strain Lpb. plantarum I was further tested on the growth and health status of the bivalve Aequipecten opercularis during a month of cultivation in captivity. The results showed that the incorporation of Lpb. plantarum I led to a decrease in the quantity of test microorganisms in the bivalve and an increase in both the growth rate weight and growth rate length of the queen scallop A. opercularis. Furthermore, the scallops fed with the algae culture + Lpb. plantarum I gained significantly higher meat yield (33.15 ± 2.63%) compared with the control scallops fed only with the algae culture (29.66 ± 2.87%). To conclude, the results from this research indicate that including Lpb. plantarum I as a dietary supplement could enhance growth performance and serve as a feasible approach to reduce pathogen levels while cultivating A. opercularis in captivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Emerging Trends in Marine Biotechnology)
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16 pages, 1143 KiB  
Article
Heterotrophic and Photoautotrophic Media Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology for the Novel Microalga Chlorococcum amblystomatis
by Nádia Correia, Hugo Pereira, Peter S. C. Schulze, Monya M. Costa, Gonçalo E. Santo, Inês Guerra, Mafalda Trovão, Ana Barros, Helena Cardoso, Joana L. Silva, Luísa Gouveia and João Varela
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2089; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042089 - 6 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2285
Abstract
The nutritional requirements of novel microalgal strains are key for their effective cultivation and metabolite content. Therefore, the optimization of heterotrophic and photoautotrophic culture media is crucial for novel Chlorococcum amblystomatis growth. Heterotrophic and photoautotrophic biomass samples were characterized to identify the differences [...] Read more.
The nutritional requirements of novel microalgal strains are key for their effective cultivation and metabolite content. Therefore, the optimization of heterotrophic and photoautotrophic culture media is crucial for novel Chlorococcum amblystomatis growth. Heterotrophic and photoautotrophic biomass samples were characterized to identify the differences between their heterotrophic and photoautotrophic biomass composition and their biotechnological potential. Media optimization through surface response methodology led to 44.9 and 51.2% increments in C. amblystomatis-specific growth rates under heterotrophic and photoautotrophic growth, respectively. This microalga registered high protein content (61.49–73.45% dry weight), with the highest value being observed in the optimized photoautotrophic growth medium. The lipid fraction mainly constituted polyunsaturated fatty acids, ranging from 44.47 to 51.41% for total fatty acids (TFA) in cells under heterotrophy. However, these contents became significantly higher (70.46–72.82% TFA) in cultures cultivated under photoautotrophy. An interesting carotenoids content was achieved in the cultures grown in optimized photoautotrophic medium: 5.84 mg·g−1 β-carotene, 5.27 mg·g−1 lutein, 3.66 mg·g−1 neoxanthin, and 0.75 mg·g−1 violaxanthin. Therefore, C. amblystomatis demonstrated an interesting growth performance and nutritional profile for food supplements and feed products that might contribute to meeting the world’s nutritional demand. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Emerging Trends in Marine Biotechnology)
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Review

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27 pages, 953 KiB  
Review
Cosmeceuticals and Thalassotherapy: Recovering the Skin and Well-Being after Cancer Therapies
by M. Lourdes Mourelle, Carmen P. Gómez and José L. Legido
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13020850 - 7 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4539
Abstract
Cancer treatments have undergone significant advances in recent years, although they are not exempt from side effects, including skin toxicity. Different studies show that skin care for cancer patients can be effective in reducing sequelae such as inflammation, xerosis, skin rash, and radiodermatitis, [...] Read more.
Cancer treatments have undergone significant advances in recent years, although they are not exempt from side effects, including skin toxicity. Different studies show that skin care for cancer patients can be effective in reducing sequelae such as inflammation, xerosis, skin rash, and radiodermatitis, among others. This is the reason why research is being carried out on the ingredients of cosmeceuticals for those indicated for oncological skin care. On the other hand, it is necessary to implement measures that improve the patient’s well-being and, therefore, thalassotherapy techniques and the marine environment could be an effective resource to achieve this goal. This article reviews the publications related to skin care after cancer treatment, including thalassotherapy techniques that can also contribute to well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Emerging Trends in Marine Biotechnology)
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25 pages, 4347 KiB  
Review
Dermo-Cosmetic Benefits of Marine Macroalgae-Derived Phenolic Compounds
by Haresh S. Kalasariya and Leonel Pereira
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(23), 11954; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122311954 - 23 Nov 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5886
Abstract
Marine macroalgae have an interesting profile of bioactive compounds and have gained tremendous attention in cosmeceuticals with negligible toxicity effects (cytotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, etc.) on humans and exhibit strong benefits for the skin. Among the diversified compounds, phenolic compounds are [...] Read more.
Marine macroalgae have an interesting profile of bioactive compounds and have gained tremendous attention in cosmeceuticals with negligible toxicity effects (cytotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, etc.) on humans and exhibit strong benefits for the skin. Among the diversified compounds, phenolic compounds are the group of phytochemicals found in high amounts with great structural diversity. Phlorotannin is the most studied polyphenol compound in brown algae, but besides there are some other phenolic compounds observed and studied in macroalgae such as terpenoids, bromophenols, mycosporine amino acids (MAAs), and flavonoids. These compounds are already characterized and studied for their full range of cosmeceutical benefits such as skin whitening, moisturizing, photoprotection, antiaging, antiwrinkle, anti-melanogenic, and antioxidant activities as well as in the treatment of pruritus (caused by acne, eczema, dermatitis, hives, psoriasis), photoaging, and skin pigmentation disorders (hypopigmentation due to the absence of melanocytes and hyperpigmentation caused by skin irritation or metabolic disorders). This review study mainly focuses on marine algae-derived phenolic compounds and their extraction, characterization, and skin cosmetic benefits described in the literature. The present study aims to provide a detailed insight into the phenolic compounds in marine algae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Emerging Trends in Marine Biotechnology)
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