Lectins have the ability to bind specific carbohydrates and they have potential applications as medical and pharmacological agents. The unique structure and usefulness of red algal lectin have been reported, but these lectins are limited to a few marine algal groups. In this study, a novel mannose-binding lectin from Grateloupia chiangii (G. chiangii lectin, GCL) was purified using antiviral screens and affinity chromatography. We characterized the molecular weight, agglutination activity, hemagglutination activity, and heat stability of GCL. To determine the carbohydrate specificity, a glycan microarray was performed. GCL showed strong binding affinity for Maltohexaose-β-Sp1 and Maltoheptaose-β-Sp1 with weak affinity for other monosaccharides and preferred binding to high-mannan structures. The N-terminal sequence and peptide sequence of GCL were determined using an Edman degradation method and LC-MS/MS, and the cDNA and peptide sequences were deduced. GCL was shown to consist of 231 amino acids (24.9 kDa) and the N-terminus methionine was eliminated after translation. GCL possessed a tandem repeat structure of six domains, similar to the other red algal lectins. The mannose binding properties and tandem repeat structure of GCL may confer it the potential to act as an antiviral agent for protection against viral infection.

Pyropia (Porphyra, referred to as ‘Gim’ in Korea or ‘Nori’ in Japan), an economically valuable alga, has long been consumed as seafood, especially in north‐east Asian countries. Its well‐established conventional mass cultivation and harvesting methods in coastal areas widen the industrial availability of edible Pyropia sp. However, the unexpected discoloration derived from causative factors during the cultivation process gives rise to serious economic losses in the aquaculture industry. For the industrial use of discoloured laver waste (DLW), recent articles have suggested that DLW biomass could be used as a source of agar polysaccharide, porphyran, γ‐aminobutyric acid and other value‐added bioactive compound productions. Although DLW biomass has economic potential, the lack of integrated information and relevant studies still limits its industrial availability. Therefore, we discussed recent research concerning the functional ingredients, causative factors and potential availability of DLW to provide integrated information. Furthermore, this review suggested the potential industrial application of DLW as a source for other value‐added material production.

Dinoflagellates are an important group of phytoplanktons, characterized by two dissimilar flagella and distinctive features of both plants and animals. Dinoflagellate-generated harmful algal blooms (HABs) and associated damage frequently occur in coastal areas, which are concomitant with increasing eutrophication and climate change derived from anthropogenic waste and atmospheric carbon dioxide, respectively. The severe damage and harmful effects of dinoflagellate phycotoxins in the fishing industry have been recognized over the past few decades, and the management and monitoring of HABs have attracted much attention, leaving aside the industrial application of their valuable toxins. Specific modes of action of the organisms’ toxins can effectively be utilized for producing beneficial materials, such as Botox and other therapeutic agents. This review aims to explore the potential industrial applications of marine dinoflagellate phycotoxins; furthermore, this review focuses on their modes of action and summarizes the available knowledge on them.

No abstract

No abstract