Seasonal variations in thalli and carrageenan composition of Gigartina pistillata (Gmelin) Stackhouse (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) harvested along the Atlantic coast of Morocco

Abstract

SUMMARY The biology and biochemistry of Gigartina pistillata (Gmelin) Stackhouse collected monthly at Nation Beach (Morocco), was studied during one year. The biological study showed one period of active growth from April to July. The thallus composition was quite stable during the major part of the year. The dry matter was maximum in May and August and minimum in January. The maximum carrageenan content occurred in June and September (about 37%) and the minimum carrageenan content occurred in February (19.0%). The total nitrogen content varied significantly, with a maximum in January (1.98%) and a minimum in August (0.7%). The ash content was significant (23–32%) with a maximum in August and a minimum in May. The carrageenan extracted from natural populations of Gigartina pistillata was a mixture of lambda‐type and kappa‐type carrageenans. The 3,6‐anhydrogalactose varied between 4.5 mol% in June to 25 mol% in February. For industrial applications the extract could be considered as a lambda‐type. The best period for harvest of G. pistillata in Morocco is between July and August when biomass and viscosity are at their maximum. A relationship between the physical characteristics of G. pistillata carrageenans and its seasonal cycle was deduced.

Population Studies and Carrageenan Properties in Eight Gigartinales (Rhodophyta) from Western Coast of Portugal

“…The occurrence of additional peaks 821 cm −1 (G/D6S), 830 cm −1 (G/D2S), and 870 cm −1 (G/D6S) shows the presence of mu- and nu-carrageenan and biological precursors of kappa- and iota-carrageenan, respectively [ 8 ]. Our results agree with those obtained in other studies conducted with C. crispus [ 7 , 53 – 55 ], M. stellatus [ 7 , 56 , 57 ], and G. pistillata [ 58 – 60 ].…”

“…Several investigators [ 49 , 51 , 52 , 54 , 58 ] have described seasonal fluctuations of carrageenan quantity and compositions in some Gigartinales. In this study, most of the seaweeds present high carrageenan contents in summer ( C. crispus , C. teedei var.…”

Antitumour Potential of Gigartina pistillata Carrageenans against Colorectal Cancer Stem Cell-Enriched Tumourspheres

“…Seaweed collection sites and season confer variability of the dominant generation (between gametophytes and tetrasporophytes), and reproductive cycle stage specially affects the carrageenans structure [10,17]. Here, the FG carrageenan yield (17%) was lower when compared with previous reports (59.7%) [17].…”

“…Commonly, seaweeds do not produce these flawless and clean carrageenans, but instead a full variety of hybrid configurations of carrageenan within the species life cycle [8]. Intrinsic carrageenans always show a complex hybrid chemical conformation and are frequently a combination of galactans composed of different carrabiose types, where proportions and structures change within the species, ecological, physiological, and developmental conditions [9,10]. Hence, carrageenans are a group of polysaccharides with molecular weight varying between 30 and 5000 kDa but the average molecular weight of extracted carrageenans is between 200 and 800 kDa.…”

A Comprehensive Review of the Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Applications of Red Seaweeds (Rhodophyta)

“…Intrinsic carrageenans hold a complex hybrid chemical constitution that differs according to the environmental and ecological conditions to which the seaweed is exposed. Generally, carrageenans are composed by a combination of galactans that could possess several types of carrabiose [149,150]. Thus, seaweeds do not produce these flawless and clean carrageenans, but, instead, they produce a full variety of hybrid configurations of carrageenan that are also dependent on the species life cycle [151].…”