Development of the Approaches for Complex Utilization of Brown Algae (Fucus Vesiculosus) Biomass for the Obtaining of Value-Added Products

Abstract

The seaweed collected after stranding on beaches of Latvia is underexploited natural resource, which has a potential as raw material for biologically active compound extraction for cosmetic and pharmacy and fertilizer in sustainable agriculture. The aim of the present study was development of the approach for the processing of brown alga Fucus vesiculosus biomass, collected from the Gulf of Riga. The thorough characterization of the chemical composition of Fucus vesiculosus has shown that it is a potential source for obtaining of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, and biologically active compounds. One of the proposed approaches for the processing of the Fucus vesiculosus biomass under study includes algae extraction with organic solvents and CaCl2 solution and obtaining soil organic amendment on the basis of the extract-free residue. The ethyl acetate extract was rich in phenolic compounds (430 ± 30 GAE mg/g) with high antioxidant activity in DPPH• and ABTS•+ tests. The ethanol extract contained significant amounts of phlorotannins that was confirmed by the data of LC-MS/MS analysis. The CaCl2 extract was used for the obtaining of sulphated polysaccharide fucoidane (yield ≈7% on the basis of oven dry matter, o.d.m.), which has numerous biological activities. The extract-free residue didn’t show phytotoxicity. The extract free algal biomass exhibited positive effect in root elongation tests with oat (Avena sativa). As alternative approach for processing of the algal biomass, the mechano-chemical treatment of algal biomass with lignin was proposed. EPR analyses confirmed interaction between algal biomass and lignin.

Effect of <em>Fucus extract</em> and biomass enriched with Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions on the growth of garden cress (<em>Lepidium sativum</em>) under laboratory conditions

“…In the work of Latique et al (2013) it was showed that Fucus spiralis extract (25%) obtained by boiling enhanced the vegetative growth of bean plant. Bikovens et al (2017) indicated positive effect of Fucus vesiculosus extract on the root elongation of oat. In the present study, several concentrations of the Fucus vesiculosus extract (2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100%) were examined in the germination tests.…”

“…The second examined preparation is extract from Fucus vesiculosus obtained with the use of potassium hydroxide. This macroalga is used to extract biologically active compounds such as polysaccharides [alginate (Truus et al, 2001;Rioux et al, 2007), fucoidan (Rioux et al, 2007;Rodriguez-Jasso et al, 2014;Bikovens et al, 2017), laminaran (Rioux et al, 2007)], antioxidants, e.g. phenols (Farvin and Jacobsen, 2013;Tierney et al, 2013;Heffernan et al, 2014), plant hormone, e.g.…”

“…Extracts derived from Fucus species have various biological activities such as antioxidative (Farvin and Jacobsen, 2013;Tierney et al, 2013;Heffernan et al, 2014;Bikovens et al, 2017), antifungal, e.g. against Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium oxysporum (Tyśkiewicz et al, 2019), stimulation of plant growth (Sharma et al, 2012;Latique et al, 2013;Bikovens et al, 2017;Latique et al, 2017;Mzibra et al, 2021). Polysaccharides and plant hormones are also known to stimulate plant growth and their natural defence responses (Zodape, 2001;Khan et al, 2009;Mzibra et al, 2021).…”

“…Due to the rich chemical composition (not only minerals, but also other biologically active compounds), seaweeds are proposed as soil amendments, which ameliorate plant growth and development (Zodape, 2001;Salcedo et al, 2020). Bikovens et al (2017) recommended Fucus vesiculosus, as well as the post extraction residue after isolation of biomolecules as valuable organic fertilizers for sustainable agriculture, which are not phytotoxic and promote the plant growth.…”

“…Seaweeds washed ashore on beaches can cause ecological and recreational problems, both for local inhabitants and tourists. At the same time this biomass constitutes a valuable raw material, which can be utilized for agricultural purposes (Balina et al, 2016;Bikovens et al, 2017;Weinberger et al, 2020). One of the most abundant and widely distributed genus of seaweeds is Fucus, which belongs to brown seaweeds (class -Phaeophyceae) (Catarino et al, 2018).…”