Phlorotannins are a type of tannins found in brown algae such as kelps and rockweeds [1] or sargassacean species, [2] and in a lower amount also in some red algae. [3] Contrary to hydrolysable or condensed tannins, these compounds are oligomers of phloroglucinol [4] (polyphloroglucinols). [5] As they are called tannins, they have the ability to precipitate proteins. It has been noticed that some phlorotannins have the ability to oxidize and form covalent bonds with some proteins. In contrast, under similar experimental conditions three types of terrestrial tannins (procyanidins, profisetinidins, and gallotannins) apparently did not form covalent complexes with proteins. [6]
These phenolic compounds are integral structural components of cell walls in brown algae, but they also seem to play many other secondary ecological roles such as protection from UV radiation and defense against grazing.
Most of the phlorotannins' biosynthesis is still unknown, but it appears they are formed from phloroglucinols via the acetate-malonate pathway. [7]
They are found within the cell in small vesicles called physodes, where the soluble, polar fraction is sequestrated, [8] and as part of the cell wall, where they are insoluble and act as a structural component. [9] [10] Their concentration is known to be highly variable among different taxa as well as among geographical area, since they respond plastically to a variety of environmental factors. [11] Brown algaes also exude phlorotannins in surrounding seawater. [5] [12]
It has been proposed that phlorotannins are first sequestered in physodes under their polar, reactive form before being oxidized and complexed to the alginic acid of brown algal cell wall by a peroxidase. [13] To this date (2012), not much is known about phlorotannins synthesis. [7] The formation of physodes, vesicles containing phenolic compounds, have been investigated for many years. These cytoplasmic constituents were thought to be synthesized in the chloroplast or its membrane, but more recent studies suggest that the formation may be related to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi bodies. [14]
The allocation of phlorotannins among tissues varies along with the species. [15]
The localization of phlorotannins can be investigated by light microscopy after vanillin–HCl staining giving an orange color. [16] The ultrastructural localization of physodes can be examined through transmission electron microscopy in samples primarily fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and with postfixation with 1% osmium tetroxide. For staining, uranyl acetate and lead citrate can be used.
In many studies where individual phlorotannins are isolated, extracted phlorotannins are acetylated with acetic anhydride-pyridine to protect them from oxidation. Both lowering the temperature and the addition of ascorbic acid seem to prevent oxidation.
Usual assays to quantify phlorotannins in samples are the Folin-Denis and Prussian blue assays. A more specific assay makes use of 2,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (DMBA), a product that reacts specifically with 1,3-and 1,3,5-substituted phenols (e.g., phlorotannins) to form a colored product. [17]
The nomenclature system for the marine phlorotannins was originally introduced by Glombitza. [18]
Phlorotannins are classified following the arrangement of the phloroglucinol monomeres. More than 150 compounds are known, ranging from 126 Da to 650 kDa in molecular weight. [8] [19] Most of them are found between 10 and 100kDa. [20]
They are distributed in six main subgroups: fucols, phlorethols, fucophloretols, fuhalols and eckols, which are only found in the Alariaceae. [7] [21]
According to linkage type, phlorotannins can be classified into four subclasses, i.e., phlorotannins with an ether linkage (fuhalols and phlorethols, fuhalols are constructed of phloroglucinol units that are connected with para- and ortho-arranged ether bridges containing one additional OH-group in every third ring), with a phenyl linkage (fucols), with an ether and a phenyl linkage (fucophlorethols) and with a dibenzodioxin linkage in eckols and carmalols (derivatives of phlorethols containing a dibenzodioxin moiety), most of which have halogenated representatives in brown algae. [22]
Examples of phlorotannins are fucodiphlorethol G from the seaweed Ecklonia cava , [23] eckol from Ecklonia species [24] or phlorofucofuroeckol-B from Eisenia arborea . [25]
The structural diversity of higher molecular weight molecules can be screened through the use of the 'EDIT' Carbon-13 NMR technique. [26]
The functions of phlorotannins are still an actual research subject (2012). They show primary and secondary roles, [13] at both cellular and organismic scale. [27]
The structural role of phlorotannins in brown algal cell wall is a primary role of these polyphenolic compounds. [7] [13] This primary role may however not be the main role of the phlorotannins, since studies show they are more abundant in cytoplasm or in the exuded form than in cell wall. [28]
Cytoplasmic as well as exuded phlorotannins seem to play a role in algal reproduction, by contributing to the formation of the zygote's cell wall [10] and perhaps avoiding multiple fertilization by inhibiting spermatozoid movement. [7]
According to the Carbon Nutrient Balance Model, phlorotannins, which are predominantly carbon molecules free of nitrogen, are produced in higher yields in light environment. Light has greater importance than nitrogen availability. [29]
Studies shown that phlorotannins seem to act as a protection for brown algaes in a number of ways. Here are some examples.
Phlorotannin production strategy may be constitutive or inducible. [30] As studies demonstrated that herbivory can induce phlorotannin production, it has been suggested that they may have a role in algae defense. [11] However, results form other studies suggest that the deterrent role of phlorotannins on herbivory is highly dependent on both algae and herbivore species. [31] In Fucus vesiculosus , it is galactolipids, rather than phlorotannins, that act as herbivore deterrents against the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata . [32]
Phlorotannins are mostly located at the periphery of the cells, as components of the cell wall. They also contribute to absorption of UV-B light (between 280 and 320 nm) [33] and show absorbance maxima at 200 and 265 nm, [8] corresponding to UV-C wavelengths. Studies also demonstrated that sunlight intensity is related to phlorotannins production in Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus natural populations. [34] For these reasons, it has been suggested that phlorotannins act as photoprotective substances. [35] Further studies with Lessonia nigrescens [35] and Macrocystis integrifolia [36] demonstrated that both UV-A and UV-B radiation can induce soluble phlorotannins and that there is a correlation between induction of phlorotannins and reduction in the inhibition of photosynthesis and DNA damage, two major effects of UV radiation on vegetal tissues. The fact that phlorotannins are exudated in surrounding water enables them to reduce incident UV exposure on kelp meiospores, phytoplankton and other kelp forests inhabitants, where brown algal biomass is high and water motion is low. [36]
They may also be involved in metal sequestration such as divalent metal ions Sr 2+, Mg 2+, Ca 2+, Be 2+, Mn 2+, Cd 2+, Co 2+, Zn 2+, Ni 2+, Pb 2+ and Cu 2+. [37] If the chelating properties of phlorotannins have been demonstrated in vitro, in situ studies suggest that this characteristic may be species-specific. [38] [39]
Studies demonstrated that phlorotannins can act as an algicide against some dinoflagellates species. [40]
It has been demonstrated that phlorotannins can have anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, antibacterial, radioprotective and anti-HIV properties. [41] [42] However, in vivo studies on the effects of these compounds are lacking, most of the research having so far been done in vitro. [41] Regarding anti-allergic property, there is in vivo study on the effect of these compounds. [43]
Fucus vesiculosus, known by the common names bladderwrack, black tang, rockweed, sea grapes, bladder fucus, sea oak, cut weed, dyers fucus, red fucus and rock wrack, is a seaweed found on the coasts of the North Sea, the western Baltic Sea and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was the original source of iodine, discovered in 1811, and was used extensively to treat goitre, a swelling of the thyroid gland related to iodine deficiency.
Brown algae are a large group of multicellular algae comprising the class Phaeophyceae. They include many seaweeds located in colder waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Brown algae are the major seaweeds of the temperate and polar regions. Many brown algae, such as members of the order Fucales, commonly grow along rocky seashores. Most brown algae live in marine environments, where they play an important role both as food and as a potential habitat. For instance, Macrocystis, a kelp of the order Laminariales, may reach 60 m (200 ft) in length and forms prominent underwater kelp forests that contain a high level of biodiversity. Another example is Sargassum, which creates unique floating mats of seaweed in the tropical waters of the Sargasso Sea that serve as the habitats for many species. Some members of the class, such as kelps, are used by humans as food.
Fucus is a genus of brown algae found in the intertidal zones of rocky seashores almost throughout the world.
Ascophyllum nodosum is a large, common cold water seaweed or brown alga (Phaeophyceae) in the family Fucaceae. Its common names include knotted wrack, egg wrack, feamainn bhuí, rockweed, knotted kelp and Norwegian kelp. It grows only in the northern Atlantic Ocean, along the north-western coast of Europe including east Greenland and the north-eastern coast of North America. Its range further south of these latitudes is limited by warmer ocean waters. It dominates the intertidal zone. Ascophyllum nodosum has been used numerous times in scientific research and has even been found to benefit humans through consumption.
Alaria esculenta is an edible seaweed, also known as dabberlocks or badderlocks, or winged kelp, and occasionally as Atlantic Wakame. It is a traditional food along the coasts of the far north Atlantic Ocean. It may be eaten fresh or cooked in Greenland, Iceland, Scotland and Ireland. It is the only one of twelve species of Alaria to occur in both Ireland and in Great Britain.
Rockweed may refer to:
Fucus serratus is a seaweed of the north Atlantic Ocean, known as toothed wrack, serrated wrack, or saw rack.
Fucus spiralis is a species of seaweed, a brown alga, living on the littoral shore of the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. It has the common names of spiral wrack and flat wrack.
Wrack is part of the common names of several species of seaweed in the family Fucaceae. It may also refer more generally to any seaweeds or seagrasses that wash up on beaches and may accumulate in the wrack zone.
Elsie May Burrows was an English botanist who made significant contributions to British postwar phycology. Her primary area of research was macroalgal ecology, focusing particularly on Fucus, a genus of brown algae, and Chlorophyta, a division of the green algae.
Ecklonia cava, also called paddle weed, kajime, noro-kajime, or gamtae (Korean: 감태), is an edible marine brown alga species found in the ocean off Japan and Korea.
Ecklonia is a genus of kelp belonging to the family Lessoniaceae.
Eckol is a phlorotannin isolated from brown algae in the family Lessoniaceae such as species in the genus Ecklonia such as E. cava or E. kurome or in the genus Eisenia such as Eisenia bicyclis.
The epithallium or epithallus is the outer layer of a crustose coralline alga, which in some species is periodically shed to prevent organisms from attaching to and overgrowing the alga.
Fucus gardneri is a species of seaweed, a brown alga living on the littoral shore of the Pacific coasts of North America. It has the common names of rockweed and bladderwrack.
Ecklonia stolonifera is a brown alga species in the genus Ecklonia found in the Sea of Japan. It is an edible species traditionally eaten in Japan.
Tetraphlorethol C is a phlorethol-type phlorotannin found in the brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum. Chemically, it is a tetramer of 1,2,3,5-tetrahydroxybenzene.
Susan Brawley is an American marine ecologist at the University of Maine known for her research on algae, especially algal reproduction. She was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2012.
Seaweed fertiliser is organic fertilizer made from seaweed that is used in agriculture to increase soil fertility and plant growth. The use of seaweed fertilizer dates back to antiquity and has a broad array of benefits for soils. Seaweed fertilizer can be applied in a number of different forms, including refined liquid extracts and dried, pulverized organic material. Through its composition of various bioactive molecules, seaweed functions as a strong soil conditioner, bio-remediator, and biological pest control, with each seaweed phylum offering various benefits to soil and crop health. These benefits can include increased tolerance to abiotic stressors, improved soil texture and water retention, and reduced occurrence of diseases.
A mycophycobiosis (composed of myco-, from the Ancient Greek: μύκης, phyco-, from Ancient Greek: φῦκος,, and -biose, from ancient Greek: βιόω is a symbiotic organism made up of a multicellular algae and an ascomycete fungus housed inside the algae. The algae and fungus involved in this association are called mycophycobionts.