Academic literature on the topic 'Brown algae Development'

Model organisms are extensively used in research as accessible and convenient systems for studying a particular area or question in biology. Traditionally, only a limited number of organisms have been studied in detail, but modern genomic tools are enabling researchers to extend beyond the set of classical model organisms to include novel species from less-studied phylogenetic groups. This review focuses on model species for an important group of multicellular organisms, the brown algae. The development of genetic and genomic tools for the filamentous brown alga Ectocarpus has led to it emerging as a general model system for this group, but additional models, such as Fucus or Dictyota dichotoma, remain of interest for specific biological questions. In addition, Saccharina japonica has emerged as a model system to directly address applied questions related to algal aquaculture. We discuss the past, present, and future of brown algal model organisms in relation to the opportunities and challenges in brown algal research.

Marine plants, animals and microorganisms display steady growth in the ocean and are abundant carbohydrate resources. Specifically, natural polysaccharides obtained from brown algae have been drawing increasing attention owing to their great potential in pharmaceutical applications. This review describes the structural and biological features of brown algal polysaccharides, including alginates, fucoidans, and laminarins, and it highlights recently developed approaches used to obtain the oligo- and polysaccharides with defined structures. Functional modification of these polysaccharides promotes their advanced applications in biomedical materials for controlled release and targeted drug delivery, etc. Moreover, brown algal polysaccharides and their derivatives possess numerous biological activities with anticancer, anticoagulant, wound healing, and antiviral properties. In addition, we also discuss carbohydrate- based substrates from brown algae, which are currently in clinical and preclinical studies, as well as the marine drugs that are already on the market. The present review summarizes the recent development in carbohydratebased products from brown algae, with promising findings that could rapidly facilitate the future discovery of novel marine drugs.

Recently, a great deal of interest has been developed to isolate novel bioactive compounds from marine resources. Among marine resources, marine brown algae are considered valuable sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds such as chlorophylls and carotenoids. Chlorophyll has been known for its antioxidant activity; meanwhile carotenoid is well known for its anticancer and anti-obesity properties. Therefore, marine brown algal-derived natural pigments have great potential for further development of valuable products in nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical areas. This contribution presents an overview of potential health benefits properties, and prospects of natural pigments derived from marine brown algae. Keywords: Marine algae, natural pigments, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical.

Aureochrome (AUREO) is a kind of blue light photoreceptor with both LOV and bZIP structural domains, identified only in Stramenopiles. It functions as a transcription factor that responds to blue light, playing diverse roles in the growth, development, and reproduction of Stramenopiles. Most of its functions are currently unknown, especially in the economically important alga S. japonica farmed on a large scale. This study provided a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of AUREO gene families in seven algae, focusing on the AUREOs of S. japonica. AUREO genes were strictly identified from seven algal genomes. Then AUREO phylogenetic tree was constructed from 44 conserved AUREO genes collected. These AUREO genes were divided into five groups based on phylogenetic relationships. A total of 28 genes unnamed previously were named according to the phylogenetic tree. A large number of different cis-acting elements, especially bZIP transcription factors, were discovered upstream of AUREO genes in brown algae. Different intron/exon structural patterns were identified among all AUREOs. Transcriptomic data indicated that the expression of Sj AUREO varied significantly during the different development stages of S. japonica gametophytes. Periodic rhythms of light induction experiments indicate that Sj AUREO existed in a light-dependent circadian expression pattern, differing from other similar studies in the past. This may indicate that blue light affects gametophyte development through AUREO as a light signal receptor. This study systematically identified and analyzed the AUREO gene family in seven representative brown algae, which lay a good foundation for further study and understanding of AUERO functions in agal growth and development.

Marine algae are an important source of bioactive metabolites in drug development and nutraceuticals. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder and the third leading cause of death worldwide due to lifestyle changes associated with rapid urbanization. Due to the adverse side effects of currently available antidiabetic drugs, search for an effective natural-based antidiabetic drug is important to combat diabetes and its complications. Therefore, in lieu with herbal drug development, it is important to find the potential benefits of seaweeds for the management of type 2 diabetes as they are underexplored yet in Sri Lanka. Among the marine seaweeds, natural bioactive compounds are abundant in brown algae with potentials in application as active ingredients in drug leads and nutraceuticals. Bioactive secondary metabolites are derived from numerous biosynthetic pathways of marine algae which contribute to various chemical and biological properties. Phlorotannins present in marine brown algae exhibited antidiabetic activities through different mechanisms such as the inhibitory effect of enzyme targets mainly by inhibiting the enzymes such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE), aldose reductase, dipeptidyl peptidase-4, and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP 1B) enzyme. In addition, phlorotannins derived from brown algae have the ability to reduce diabetic complications. Hence, the present review focuses on the different antidiabetic mechanisms of secondary bioactive compounds present in marine brown algae.

The paper presents the results of studying the lipid composition of bakery products (HBI) with the addition of new ingredients to its formulation - water-ethanol extracts, four types of seaweed: green algae – Ulva lactuca; two types of brown algae – Sargassum pallidum and Japanese saccharin; red algae – Anfeltia tobuchinskaya, containing the main lipids – neutral lipids and glycolipids. The data obtained showed a change in the lipid composition of the developed bread. A statistically significant increase in all fractions of neutral lipids was registered in the developed CBI, a decrease in the amount of cholesterol and its cholesterol esters, compared with those in control samples. An increase in the amount of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) in bread with the addition of kelp and anfeltia extracts was noted; a significant increase in phosphatidylethanolamine in bread with the introduction of all algal extracts. The revealed facts demonstrate the stability of lipid fractions in the composition of CBI with the addition of algae extracts and are positive in terms of giving them preventive properties. Particularly indicative is the appearance of the phosphatidylglycerol fraction in bread, which is the basis for the synthesis of other phospholipid compounds from it, which are essential substances that enter the human body exclusively through food, reducing the risks and consequences of adverse environmental factors affecting the body.

Macroalgae are widespread on the coasts of all the globe and lead to a negative ecological impact, requiring expensive remediations. Therefore, the valorization of invasive seaweed as a renewable source of bioactive products could represent a valid solution. In this context, three algal biomasses, belonging to brown, green, and red families (Sargassum muticum, Ulva lactuca, Solieria filiformis), collected in the venetian Laguna, were investigated as a source of active compounds for the formulation of cosmeceutics. Microwave (MW) and ultrasound (US) were applied to enhance the algae extraction by means of a hydroalcoholic solution. According to total phenolic content (TPC) evaluation, MW demonstrated the best performing outcomes, resulting in 19.77, 22.02, and 16.94 mgGAE/gExtr (30 min at 90 °C) for brown, green, and red algae, respectively. Antioxidant activity was tested as well, showing comparable trends (49.19, 26.24, and 3.02 mmolTrolox eq./gExtr for brown, green, and red algae, respectively). Due to natural algae predisposition to absorb contaminants, the metal content analysis helped to screen the applicability of these extracts, identifying Ulva lactuca as the most suitable source of antioxidants for cosmetic formulations. This MW extract was then adopted to formulate two different preparations, namely a gel and an emulsion. Thermal and mechanical tests confirmed the stability of each formulation, together with neutral organoleptic characteristics. Finally, the actives release was investigated by means of a tape stripping essay, showing an efficient controlled release for gel formulation, even after 7 h of test. The produced cosmeceutics merged non-conventional extraction technologies with formulation expertise, offering a valuable alternative to solve the macroalgae disposal issue.

ABSTRACTAlgae are a large group of aquatic, typically photosynthetic, eukaryotes that include species from very diverse phylogenetic lineages, from those similar to land plants to those related to protist parasites. The recent sequencing of several algal genomes has provided insights into the great complexity of these organisms. Genomic information has also emphasized our lack of knowledge of the functions of many predicted genes, as well as the gene regulatory mechanisms in algae. Core components of the machinery for RNA-mediated silencing show widespread distribution among algal lineages, but they also seem to have been lost entirely from several species with relatively small nuclear genomes. Complex sets of endogenous small RNAs, including candidate microRNAs and small interfering RNAs, have now been identified by high-throughput sequencing in green, red, and brown algae. However, the natural roles of RNA-mediated silencing in algal biology remain poorly understood. Limited evidence suggests that small RNAs may function, in different algae, in defense mechanisms against transposon mobilization, in responses to nutrient deprivation and, possibly, in the regulation of recently evolved developmental processes. From a practical perspective, RNA interference (RNAi) is becoming a promising tool for assessing gene function by sequence-specific knockdown. Transient gene silencing, triggered with exogenously synthesized nucleic acids, and/or stable gene repression, involving genome-integrated transgenes, have been achieved in green algae, diatoms, yellow-green algae, and euglenoids. The development of RNAi technology in conjunction with system level “omics” approaches may provide the tools needed to advance our understanding of algal physiological and metabolic processes.

The aim of this work was to investigate the hemolysis and blood clotting activity of Lomonia obliqua venom and the ability of some Brazilian marine algal extracts ( Canistrocarpus cervicornis, Stypopodium zonale and Dictyota pfaffi) to antagonize such biological activities. L. obliqua caterpillars are dangerous to human beings and envenomation symptoms are characterized by hemorrhagic, hemolytic and blood clotting disorders, and acute renal failure, which sometimes lead to the death of the victims. Through in vitro experiments we have shown that L. obliqua venom is able to clot human plasma and hemolize human erythrocytes and that the coagulation activity of the venom is inhibited by the extracts of C. cervicornis, S. zonale and D. pfaffi. In contrast, C. cervicornis and S. zonale extracts did not inhibit the hemolytic activity of L. oblqua, as did the extract of D. pfaffi. These finding indicate that marine algae may be used as antivenoms or may contribute to the development of compounds with antilonomic effects.

Marine environment exploration has increased in the search for new compounds that may be attractive to the industrial field, especially for the development of drugs. Brown marine algae are part of this environment and, because of their production of secondary metabolites, they have become a possible source of bioactive compounds that have important biological actions such as anticoagulant, antioxidant and antiproliferative. However, there are still obstacles to complete knowledge about their structures and activities. This review provides key information about the isolation, composition, and structure and antiproliferative activity in vitro and in vitro of compounds derived from different brown algae.

Morphogenesis in walled organisms represents a highly controlled process by which the variability of shapes arises through changes in the structure and mechanics of the cell wall. Despite taking different evolutionary paths, land plants and some brown algae exhibit great developmental and morphological similarities. In two brown algal model systems: the Sargassum muticum apex and the Fucus serratus embryo, I have used a combination of imaging techniques, growth analyses, surgical and pharmacological treatments, as well as molecular, biochemical and mechanical approaches to characterise the growth patterns and the cell wall contribution to shape change. To understand how the adult algal body is formed, I examined the branching strategy (phyllotaxis) in S. muticum. My results suggest that in S. muticum the spiral phyllotactic pattern and the apical cell division pattern are not linked. The phytohormone auxin and the biochemical changes of the cell wall do not seem to be correlated with the bud outgrowth, contrary to observations in plants. In summary, these results suggest Sargassum convergently developed a distinct growth mechanism with similar shape outcome as observed in plants. This dissertation is one of the first attempts to explore cell wall mechanics in brown algal development and its correlation with underlying cell wall biochemistry utilising the Fucus embryo as a known system. The results suggest a correlation between the wall mechanics and alginate biochemistry with the growing and non-growing regions of the embryo. In addition, altering cell wall deposition or composition has a strong effect on embryo rhizoid elongation and is, in certain cases, accompanied by significant increase in cell wall stiffness and reduction of alginate epitopes. Furthermore, preliminary results exploring transcriptomic changes during development indicate differential expression of particular alginate biosynthesis enzymes (mannuronan C5 epimerases) during development, suggesting alginate conformational modifications might be stage specific. These results contribute to the current knowledge addressing the importance of cell walls in brown algal development using novel tools and approaches. Understanding developmental processes in brown algae will provide a better insight how similar morphogenetic traits are established using different body-building mechanisms.

Breast cancer, the most common malignancy diagnosed in women, is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide. In South Africa only 32% of women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer survive more than five years. The search for new chemotherapeutic agents capable of effectively treating breast cancer is therefore essential. Recent evidence supporting the cancer stem cell theory of cancer development for breast cancer challenges the current theories of cancer development and hence treatment. Cancer stem cells are a small subpopulation of tumour cells that possess properties of both cancer cells and stem cells and are believed to be the tumour-initiating population of many cancers. Cancer stem cells are inherently resistant to many chemotherapeutic agents and in this way have been associated with repopulation of tumours after chemotherapy. This phenomenon is proposed as a possible mechanism for cancer relapse after treatment. Cancer stem cells have also been implicated in metastasis, the major cause of mortality in cancer patients. Therefore, any treatment that is capable of targeting and removing breast cancer stem cells may have the theoretical potential to effectively treat breast cancer. However, there are currently no such treatments available for clinical use. We were provided access to a library of novel indigenous small molecules isolated from red and brown algae found off the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The aim of this project was to analyse the anti-cancer and anti-cancer stem cell properties of the compounds in this library and to identify „hit‟ compounds which could form the basis for future development into new anti-cancer drugs. Ten novel compounds of algal origin were tested for cytotoxicity, by determining their ability to inhibit the growth of MCF12A breast epithelial cells and MCF7 breast cancer cells using the colorimetric MTT [(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] cell proliferation assay. All but one of the compounds tested exhibited cytotoxicity towards the MCF7 cancer cell line, with IC50 values (the concentration of the compound that leads to a 50% inhibition in cell growth) of between 3 μM and 90 μM. The chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel was used as a positive control. Four of the compounds (RUMB-001, RUMB-002, RUMB-007 and RUMB-010/saragaquinoic acid) were significantly more toxic to the MCF7 cancer cell line, than the „normal‟ MCF12A breast cells and were selected as priority compounds for further analyses. In addition, two other compounds were selected as priority compounds, one highly cytotoxic towards both MCF12A and MCF7 cell lines (RUMB-015) and one which was non toxic to either cell line (RUMB-017/018). Preliminary studies into the mechanism of cytotoxicity using Western blot analysis for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and Hoechst 33342 immunostaining in MCF-7 cells were largely unsuccessful. The Hoechst 33342 immunostaining assay did provide tentative evidence that selected priority compounds were capable of inducing apoptosis, although these assays will need to be repeated using a less subjective assay to confirm the results. The priority compounds were subsequently investigated for their cytotoxic effect on the cancer stem cell-enriched side population in MCF7 cells. The ability of the priority compounds to selectively target the cancer stem cell containing side population was assessed using two complementary flow cytometry-based techniques – namely the Hoechst 33342-exclusion assay, and fluorescent immunostaining for the expression of the putative cancer stem cell marker, ABCG2+. The ABCG2+ staining assay was a novel technique developed during the course of this study. It remains to be fully validated, but it may provide a new and reliable way to identify and analyse cancer stem cell containing side population cells. The MCF7 cells were treated with the compounds and the proportion of putative cancer stem cells compared with the size of the population in untreated cells was assessed. Three compounds (RUMB-010, RUMB-015 and RUMB-017/018) capable of reducing the proportion of side population cells within the MCF7 cell line were identified. Taking these data together, we identified two potential „hit‟ compounds which should be prioritised for future research. These are compounds RUMB-010/sargaquinoic acid and RUMB-017/018. RUMB-010 is of interest as it was shown to target the putative cancer stem cell population, in addition to the bulk MCF7 tumour line, but was relatively less toxic to the „normal‟ MCF12A cell line. RUMB-017/018 is of interest due to the ability to selectively target the cancer stem cell enriched side population, while having little effect on the normal (MCF12A) or bulk tumour (MCF7) cell lines tested. These compounds will be important as „hit‟ compounds for drug development and as tool compounds to study cancer and cancer stem cell biology.

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia de Tecidos, Medicina Regenerativa e Células Estaminais
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that affects 450 million people worldwide, being the sixth most common cause of death. Therefore, it is crucial to develop new therapeutic strategies and relevant models for diabetes in order to accelerate the discovery of new treatments. In this perspective, marine origin polymers represent a relatively untapped source that can be used in the creation of platforms/models to attend these needs. Algae, for instance, synthesize sulfated polysaccharides with several bioactivity properties, which added to their structural role, open new avenues in biomaterials research. The main focus of this thesis consists in the demonstration of the potential of fucoidan on the development of therapeutic approaches for diabetes mellitus treatment. Fucoidan (Fu) is an underexploited sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown algae, which has interesting chemical and biological properties. The major obstacle for using fucoidan on polymeric devices for biomedical applications is the higher solubility in water. In order to control the solubility of fucoidan in water and increase its processability, a chemical modification was studied, a methacrylation reaction, enabling its further gelation by photocrosslinking. Quasi-spherical hydrogel particles were thus prepared, supporting the culture of human pancreatic cells (1.1B4HP), as well as the sustained delivery of insulin. Moreover, alternative methodologies based in blends of fucoidan with other natural/synthetic polymers were also explored. In particular, attention was given to agarose, with attractive gelling properties mediated by temperature. The properties of the resulting hydrogel were assessed, envisaging its use on the encapsulation of pancreatic cells (1.1B4HP cells) as a system to protect those cells from the host immune system. As pancreatic cells and islets are highly vascularized, a platform device was developed based on fibrous meshes of PCL/fucoidan using airbrush technique, with capacity to promote angiogenesis. Additionally, the anti-oxidant effect of fucoidan on beta cells was also assessed, enabling to protect those cells from oxidative stress. This fucoidan was combined with alginate, developing hydrogels capable to support the encapsulation of pancreatic cells and islets with insulin secretion responsive to glucose concentration in medium. Altogether the results obtained under the scope of this thesis gave interesting insights on the use of the new fucoidan-based structures as functional biomaterials with a potential pivotal role for diabetes treatment.
A diabetes mellitus (DM) é um distúrbio metabólico que afeta cerca de 450 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo, sendo a sexta causa de morte. Por conseguinte, é crucial desenvolver novas estratégias/modelos terapêuticos para a diabetes levando à descoberta de novos tratamentos. Nesta perspetiva, os polímeros de origem marinha representam uma fonte relativamente inexplorada que pode ser usada na criação de plataformas/modelos para atender a essas necessidades. As algas, são um exemplo, porque sintetizam uma grande variedade de polímeros e compostos mais pequenos com várias propriedades bioativas. O foco principal desta tese consiste na demonstração do potencial do fucoidan no desenvolvimento de novas abordagens terapêuticas desenvolvidas para o tratamento da diabetes mellitus. Fucoidan (Fu) é um polissacarídeo sulfatado extraído de algas castanhas, com propriedades químicas e biológicas interessantes sendo pouco explorado. O principal obstáculo para o uso de fucoidan em dispositivos poliméricos para aplicações biomédicas é ser bastante solúvel em água. Para controlar a solubilidade do Fu na água e aumentar sua processabilidade, foi estudada uma modificação química, uma reação de metacrilação, permitindo a sua gelificação através da foto reticulação. Desta forma, foram preparadas partículas quase-esféricas, permitindo o contacto direto com células pancreáticas humanas (1.1B4HPcélulas) bem como o encapsulamento/libertação de insulina foram abordados. Além disso, metodologias alternativas baseadas em misturas do Fu com outros polímeros naturais/sintéticos também foram exploradas. A agarose teve uma atenção particular, com propriedades gelificantes atrativas dependentes da temperatura. As propriedades do hidrogel resultante foram avaliadas, antevendo a sua utilização no encapsulamento de 1.1B4HP células, para proteger essas células do sistema imunitário do hospedeiro. Como as células pancreáticas e as ilhotas Langerhans são altamente vascularizadas, foi desenvolvido um bicomposito de nanofibras PCL/Fu usando uma técnica de aerografia, esse dispositivo/plataforma tinha a capacidade de promover a angiogênese. O efeito antioxidante do fucoidan nas células beta também foi avaliado, permitindo proteger as células do stress oxidativo. Hidrogéis de fucoidan e alginato foram desenvolvidos, sendo capazes de suportar o encapsulamento das ilhotas Langerhans e promover a secreção à insulina em resposta à concentração de glucose presente no meio. Em conclusão, os resultados obtidos no âmbito desta tese foram interessantes e promissores, demonstraram a capacidade do fucoidan a ser usado como base em estruturas e mecanismos que poderão ser fundamentais para o tratamento da diabetes.
The authors especially acknowledge financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science FCT (Grant SFRH/BD/112139/2015), PTDC/CTM-CTM//29813/2017 with support from Fundo Social Europeu and the Programa Operacional de Potencial Humano and the research project EXPL/MAR BIO/0165/2013, from European Union with co-funding of INTERREG POCTEP projects 0330- IBEROMARE_1_P and 0687_NOVOMAR_1_P INTERREG Espanha Portugal 2014-2020 project 0302_CVMAR_I_1_P and Atlantic Area project 2011/1/164 MARMED, through ERDF as well as from Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through Structured projects NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000021 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023.

Marine seaweeds are a promising source of bioactive secondary metabolites that can be utilized in drug development and nutraceuticals. Diabetes mellitus is a leading non-communicable disease, and it is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Among the types of diabetes, type 2 became the major health problem as it is associated with severe health complications. Since available oral hypoglycemic drugs cause several adverse effects, it is worth searching for a natural cure with fewer or no side effects that may benefit patients with type 2 diabetes. Among the marine seaweeds, brown and red seaweeds are extensively studied for the anti-diabetic activity compared to the green seaweeds. Bioactive compounds present in marine seaweeds possess anti-diabetic potential through diverse mechanisms, mainly by reducing postprandial hyperglycemia and associated complication. Most of the studies emphasized that the marine seaweeds control the hyperglycemic condition by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing α-amylase,α glucosidase enzymes, and the inhibitory effect of dipeptide peptidase-4 that are involved in the degradation of incretins. Similarly, bioactive compounds in marine seaweeds can reduce diabetes complications by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzymes, aldose reductase, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B enzyme. This chapter focuses on the anti-diabetic potential of marine brown, green, and red seaweeds through different mechanisms.

Accumulation of non-biodegradable plastics is causing high levels of environmental pollution. Currently, edible and biodegradable films and coatings for food and nutraceutical applications are a fast emerging technology with increased attention among researchers and consumers, which acts as an alternative to these synthetic plastics. Edible coatings are most commonly developed from polysaccharides and proteins. Among polysaccharides, seaweed-based polysaccharides play a vital role. These seaweed-based polysaccharides, which are utilized in the development of edible coatings and films, include Agar, Alginate, and carrageenan. Alginates are extracted from brown algae, while agar and carrageenan are extracted from red algae varieties. These developed coatings and films are commonly applied to extend the shelf life and maintain the desired quality level in food. These films or coatings can be applied to foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy products. They improve the quality of the product by retarding moisture loss, reducing lipid oxidation and discoloration, sealing in volatile flavors, and functioning as carriers of food additives such as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. This book chapter discusses the application of seaweed-based biodegradable films and coatings for food and nutraceuticals.

<em>Abstract</em>.—Waquoit Bay is a coastal estuary located on the south side of Cape Cod. The primary rivers feeding the bay, the Quashnet and Childs rivers, are small, coldwater, groundwater-fed streams. Most of the watersheds of both rivers were originally set aside in the 1600s as a plantation for the Native American Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. The rivers were heavily modified in the late 1700s by the building of mill dams and later in the 1800s by cranberry agriculture. The anadromous Brook Trout <em>Salvelinus fontinalis </em>fisheries in both rivers were acclaimed in the early 1800s. Anadromous river herring <em>Alosa </em>spp. runs were created on both streams by connecting the streams to Johns Pond, a natural kettle hole pond. After anadromous Brook Trout populations declined due primarily to habitat loss, efforts were initiated in the 1950s to restore anadromy to Brook Trout in Cape Cod rivers by overstocking with hatchery Brook Trout. After this project, land protection along the river started with the purchase of abandoned cranberry bogs. Both rivers were heavily stocked with Brown Trout <em>Salmo trutta </em>in the 1970s and 1980s to create a sea-run Brown Trout fishery. In 1976, Trout Unlimited began an ongoing habitat improvement project in the Quashnet River. In the 1970s and 1980s, the rapid development of Cape Cod threatened the watershed. In 1988, the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve was formed and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts purchased land in the watershed to preserve it as open space. As part of the purchase agreement, a potential well site was reserved, which led to studies by the U.S. Geological Survey on the hydrology of the Quashnet River and the impact of potential wells. In the early 1990s, fisheries management shifted away from the stocking of Brown Trout to focus on the native Brook Trout fishery. The Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge, a consortium of landowners centered on Waquoit Bay, was formed in 1995. In 1997, the contaminant ethylene dibromide from the former Otis Air Force Base Superfund site was found to be entering the upper Quashnet River. This led to the creation of a system of berms and groundwater extraction systems. The failure of part of the berm system led to concerns about fisheries impacts, and a restoration plan was developed. A Brook Trout passive integrated transponder tagging project was initiated on the Quashnet River in 2007, and the Brook Trout population has been annually sampled since 2000. In 2008–2010, adult wild Brook Trout from the Quashnet River were transplanted to the Childs River and a wild Brook Trout population was reestablished. Nitrogen loading from the watershed has become a major issue for the Waquoit Bay estuary, causing algae blooms and water-quality impacts. The fisheries of the Waquoit Bay tributaries have been protected and enhanced by an ongoing combination of land protection, fisheries management and research activities, and habitat improvements involving a wide variety of partners. Watershed development and potential climate change continue to threaten both the estuarine resources of Waquoit Bay and the native freshwater and diadromous fisheries of its tributaries.

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.