Evaluation of Gracilaria caudata J. Agardh for bioremediation of nutrients from shrimp farming wastewater

The accelerated development of shrimp farming in Brazil in recent decades has caused negative impacts to the environment. The most evident effects resulting from this activity is the increase in organic material, the reduction in oxygen and the excessive rise in water nutrients. Thus, there is a need for finding alternative solutions that can mitigate the negative impacts caused by this activity. A potentially viable solution is the use of macroalgae to remove nutrients from the cultivation systems. This study examined in situ (shrimp pond), the growth and storage of nitrogen and phosphorous from the macroalga Gracilaria caudata. A short-term measurement experiment was also conducted to evaluate the bioremediation potential this species. These results showed positive values for biomass and growth during the study period, except at day 45 for the tubular nets and day 75 for the cages, when they reached lower values than those of the initial weight. The results obtained indicate that G. caudata may reach annual production of 59.16 ton ha(-1) of wet weight, which corresponds to 11.83 ton dry weight. Nitrogen and phosphorous content in the algal tissues increased with time. The mean for the period was 2.61+/-0.26% and 0.20+/-0.03% for the nitrogen and phosphorous, respectively. An estimate of the data showed that 1 ha of cultivated algae has the potential to remove 0.309 ton ha(-1) year(-1) of nitrogen and 0.024 ton ha(-1) year(-1) of phosphorous. The study of the biofiltration capacity of G. caudata showed a significant reduction in nutrients. The removal of NH(4)-N was around 59.5%, NO(3)-N 49.6% and PO(4)-P 12.3% in 4 h. These results suggest that although G. caudata showed relatively modest growth rates, they can be cultivated together with shrimp and can contribute to the removal of nitrogen and phosphorous from the pond. Moreover, the capacity to efficiently remove nutrients demonstrated in laboratory experiments encourages the use of this alga as a bioremediation agent.

Seasonal variation in the chemical composition of two tropical seaweeds

The chemical composition of red seaweed Gracilaria cervicornis and brown seaweed Sargassum vulgare from Brazil was investigated. In this study, the relationship between the nutritive components of each species and the environment was established. Protein content varied from 23.05+/-3.04% to 15.97+/-3.04%. The highest value was found in G. cervicornis. The protein levels were positively correlated with nitrogen content and negatively with water temperature and salinity. Carbohydrate contents of both species varied significantly (p<0.01) and the values observed were superior to others chemical constituents. Contrary to carbohydrates, the lipid concentrations were the lowest recorded chemical component and varied slightly between the two species. Ash content was greater in S. vulgare (14.20+/-3.86) than in G. cervicornis (7.74+/-1.15). In general the variation in chemical composition was related to environment.

Polysaccharides from the red seaweed Gracilaria dura (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

The yield and physical and chemical properties of agars from Gracilaria dura (C. Agardh) J. Agardh, harvested in Thau lagoon (Mediterranean sea, France), were investigated. The agar yield ranged from 32% to 35%. Gel strength of agar ranged from 263 to 600 g cm(-2), with the maximum observed in October. A positive correlation was found between agar yield and gel strength (r = 0.82; P < 0.01). The gelling temperature followed the same pattern of gel strength and also showed higher value in October (43 degrees C). The nitrogen content varied from 1.04+/-0.60% (June) to 4.70+/-0.01% (October). A positive correlation was noted between nitrogen content and gel strength (r = 0.77; P < 0.05). The 3,6-anhydrogalactose content ranged from 0.70 to 0.84 and showed monthly significant differences (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between 3,6-anhydrogalactose content and gel strength. The values of sulfate content were relatively constant during the studied period and no significant differences were observed. The relative high gel strength indicates that this species may be considered as source of agar for commercial use.

Effects of season on the yield and quality of agar from Gracilaria species (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta)

The effect of season on yield and physical properties of agars extracted from Gracia gracilis and G. bursa-pastoris were determined. The agar yield from G. gracilis was maximum during spring (30%) and minimum during autumn (19%). In G. bursa-pastoris, the agar yield was greatest in summer (36%) and lowest in winter (23%). Agar yield from G. bursa-pastoris was positively correlated with temperature (r=0.94; P<0.01) and salinity (r=0.97; P<0.01) and negatively with nitrogen content (r=-0.93; P<0.01). Agar gel strengths fluctuated from 229 to 828 gcm(-2) and 23 to 168 gcm(-2) for G. gracilis and G. bursa-pastoris, respectively. The gelling temperature showed significant seasonal variation for both species. Chemical analysis of agar from the two seaweeds indicated variation in 3,6-anhydrogalactose and sulfate content (P<0.01). Furthermore, there was an inverse correlation between the two chemical variables. In general, agar extracted from G. gracilis possessed better qualities than agar extracted from G. bursa-pastoris and can be considered a candidate for industrial use.

Agar polysaccharides from Gracilaria species (Rhodophyta, Gracilariaceae)

Yield, physical and chemical properties of agar from three agarophytes species (Gracilaria gracilis, G. dura and G. bursa-pastoris) were determined. The agar yield from the three species varied significantly (P<0.01). The highest yields of agar (34.8%) and the lowest (30%) were obtained from G. bursa-pastoris and G. gracilis, respectively. Highest gel strength (630+/-15 g cm(-2)) was obtained from agar extracted from G. gracilis and lowest from G. bursa-pastoris (26+/-3.6 g cm(-2)). The values of 3,6-anhydrogalactose were similar for G. gracilis and G. dura and there were no significant differences among the species. The sulfate contents varied significantly (P<0.01) and the higher value was obtained from G. bursa-pastoris. Among the three species, G. gracilis showed superior agar quality than the other two species, hence it can be considered a good potential source for industrial use.

Seasonal variation in the biomass and agar yield from Gracilaria cervicornis and Hydropuntia cornea from Brazil

Seasonality of biomass and agar yield from two agarophytes (G. cervicornis and H. cornea) was determined. The biomass from G. cervicornis was higher (390 g m-2) during the dry season and lower during the rainy season (129 g m-2). The data analysis for G. cervicornis revealed a significant seasonal variation (P < 0.05). H. cornea did not show a clear seasonal variation and was present only from March to August. The peak in biomass for this species was recorded in April (383 g m-2) and was significantly different from the other months (P < 0.05). The agar yield for G. cervicornis varied from 11% to 20%, with generally higher values recorded during the dry season. The agar yield showed a highly significant variation (P < 0.001). Agar yield from H. cornea ranged from 29% to 41%, with a peak recorded in June. The results above indicate that H. cornea can be considered a good candidate for commercial use.