Fujiya Hongo

Bio: Fujiya Hongo is an academic researcher from University of the Ryukyus. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mimosine & Leucaena leucocephala. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 23 publications receiving 152 citations.

Isolation and Characterization of ι-Carrageenan from Eucheuma serra (Togekirinsai)

Abstract: A gelling polysaccharide was extracted from Togekirinsai (Eucheuma serra), which was collected from Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and purified by gelation with calcium chloride. The purified polysaccharide obtained from Togekirinsai was colorles fibrous powder; yield, 38.3% (w/w) based on dried seaweed and 4.6% (wet seaweed). The total carbohydrate, ash and moisture contents of the polysaccharide were 71.4, 21.2 and 7.1%, respectively. The content of total sulfate was estimated to be 23.8%. The polysaccharide was composed of D-galactose, 3, 6-anhydro-D-galactose and ester sulfate at a molar ratio of 1.2: 1.0: 1.5. Molecular mass of the polysaccharide was estimated to be about 2.8×105. The infrared spectrum and values of optical rotation of the polysaccharide at different temperatures were in agreement with those of standard ι-carrageenan. The 13C- and 1H-NMR spectra showed the polysaccharide isolated from Togekirinsai was composed of D-galactopyranosyl-4-sulfate and 3, 6-anhydro-D-galactopyranosyl-2-sulfate . These results indicate that the gelling polysaccharide is a ι-carrageenan.

Isolation and Identification of Fucoidan from Okinawamozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus TOKIDA)

Abstract: A Fucoidan was isolated from Okinawamozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus T0KmA) and its chemical and physicochemical properties were investigated . The total carbohydrates, uronic acid, ash, sulfuric acid, and moisture of the fucoidan was estimated to be 67.2, 13.5, 23.0, 11.9, and 3.2%, respectively. The L-fucose and n-xylose residues were identified by paper and liquid chromatography from the acid hydrolysate of the fucoidan. The molecular weight of the fucoidan was estimated to be about 500 ,000. The optical rotation of the fucoidan showed a value of -0.351•‹ at a temperature of 60•Ž, then it decreased a little with decreasing temperature. The infrared spectrum of the fucoidan was essentially in agreement with that of a fucoidan (Sigma), which was used as a standard sample , in a wide range of wave numbers.

Osteopathy in Broiler Chicks Fed Toxic Mimosine in Leucaena leucocephala

Abstract: Further studies of mimosine toxicity in broiler chicks were done to clarify a possibility of osteopathy. The mineral content and density of femur and the strength, ductility, and toughness for the index of mechanical properties significantly decreased in the 1% mimosine group, compared with those in the control and restricted groups. The stiffness had a decreasing tendency in the 1% mimosine group. Consequently, it was concluded that chicks fed ad libitum a 1% mimosine diet for 12 days developed osteopathy. The bone mineral density and the strength of the restricted group were lower than those of the control group, and those of the 1% mimosine group were still lower than those of the restricted group. Contents of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline in the excrement were significantly higher in the restricted group than those in the control group, but the contents in the 1% mimosine group were significantly lowest among the groups. Osteopathy in chicks fed mimosine, therefore, seemed to be done by loss of appetite and changing to a low turnover of bone caused by mimosine.

Direct Effect of a Hot Environment on Ruminal Motility in Sheep

Abstract: The aim of this research was to clarify the direct effects of a hot environment on ruminal motility in sheep fed twice a day. In the first experiment, in order to equalize variable factors excluding the ambient temperature between the thermoneutral environment (23°C, relative humidity 80%) and the hot environment (32°C, relative humidity 80%), sheep were fed equal amounts of the same quality feed twice a day. The sheep were allowed free access to water for the duration of the two one-hour feeding periods (10:00 am-11:00 am, 5:00 pm-6:00 pm). On the fourth day after exposure to the hot environment, the frequency and strength of ruminal contractions were continuously recorded between 9:30 am and 11:00 pm. Prior to the exposure to a hot environment the frequency and strength of ruminal contractions were recorded in a thermoneutral environment during the period 9:30 am-11:00 pm. In the second experiment, in order to maintain the stomach content of the sheep at equal levels in both environments, the sheep were fed equal amounts of the same quality feed twice a day. Following the completion of the two one-hour feeding periods, a fixed amount of warm water was infused into the rumen. Rumen motility was then recorded during the same period as for the first experiment (9:30 am-11:00 pm). In the first experiment, when the frequency of ruminal contractions prior to (24, 24 frequency/15 min), during (48, 47 frequency/min) and after (22, 19 frequency/min) both the morning and afternoon feeding in a hot environment was compared with the values from the thermoneutral environment (20, 22; 50, 50; 21, 20 frequency/min), there was found to be no difference. However, the strength of ruminal contractions after morning and afternoon feeding (3.7, 3. 1 mm Hg) in the hot environment decreased significantly in comparison with the thermoneutral environment (4.3, 3.8 mm Hg). In the second experiment, the frequency of ruminal contractions in the hot environment was not significantly different from that in the thermoneutral environment. The strength of ruminal contractions after ruminal infusion of warm water in the hot environment (morning: 4.6, afternoon: 4.5 mm Hg) was significantly lower than that in the thermoneutral environment (morning: 5.6, afternoon: 5.0 mm Hg). The results suggest that a hot environment acts directly on the strength of ruminal contractions in sheep fed twice a day rather than on the frequency.

Isolation and Characterization of Alginic Acid from Commercially Cultured Nemacystus decipiens (Itomozuku)

Abstract: An alginate was isolated from commercially cultured Nemacystus decipiens which had been harvested in Yonashiro Town (Okinawa, Japan). The yield of the alginate was 1.6% (w/w of wet alga), and the uronic acid, ash and moisture contents of the alginate were 86.0%, 12.0%, and 2.3% (w/w), respectively. The molecular mass of the alginate was estimated to be about 1.5×105. The infrared spectrum and optical rotation of the alginate were in agreement with those of the standard alginate. D-Mannuronic acid and L-guluronic acid were identified by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, the molar ratio of both sugar residues being estimated to be 0.72:1.00.

A visionary and conceptual macroalgae-based third-generation bioethanol (TGB) biorefinery in Sabah, Malaysia as an underlay for renewable and sustainable development

Abstract: Several biofuel candidates were proposed to displace fossil fuels in order to eliminate the vulnerability of energy sector Biodiesel and bioethanol produced from terrestrial plants have attracted the attention of the world as potential substitute However, due to food vs fuel competition as well as land consumption of these biofuel, they have brought much controversy and debate on their sustainability In this respect, cultivation of macroalgae such as seaweed at sea water which does not expend arable land and fertilizers provides a possible solution for this energy issue Carbohydrates derived from seaweeds contain hexose sugars which are suitable materials for fermentation to produce ethanol Therefore, it is possible to produce fuel ethanol from seaweeds The potential and prospective of seaweeds to play the role as a sustainable energy provider are demonstrated in this paper This study offers a conceivable picture of macroalgae-based third-generation bioethanol biorefinery to stimulate the initiation of the exploration in the related field

Granule-bound starch synthase I is responsible for biosynthesis of extra-long unit chains of amylopectin in rice.

Abstract: A rice Wx gene encoding a granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) was introduced into the null-mutant waxy (wx) rice, and its effect on endosperm starches was examined. The apparent amylose content was increased from undetectable amounts for the non-transgenic wx cultivars to 21.6-22.2% of starch weight for the transgenic lines. The increase was in part due to a significant amount of extra-long unit chains (ELCs) of amylopectin (7.5-8.4% of amylopectin weight), that were absent in the non-transgenic wx cultivars. Thus, actual amylose content was calculated to be 14.9-16.0% for the transgenic lines. Only slight differences were found in chain-length distribution for the chains other than ELCs, indicating that the major effect of the Wx transgene on amylopectin structure was ELC formation. ELCs isolated from debranched amylopectin exhibited structures distinct from amylose. Structures of amylose from the transgenic lines were slightly different from those of cv. Labelle (Wx a ) in terms of a higher degree of branching and size distribution. The amylose and ELC content of starches of the transgenic lines resulted in the elevation of pasting temperature, a 50% decrease in peak viscosity, a large decrease in breakdown and an increase in setback. As yet undetermined factors other than the GBSSI activity are thought to be involved in the control of formation and/or the amount of ELCs. Structural analysis of the Wx gene suggested that the presence of a tyrosine residue at position 224 of GBSSI correlates with the formation of large amounts of ELCs in cultivars carrying Wx a .

Alginate, mannitol, phenolic compounds and biological activities of two range-extending brown algae, Sargassum mangarevense and Turbinaria ornata (Phaeophyta: Fucales), from Tahiti (French Polynesia)

Abstract: This study deals with two range-extending brown algae from Tahitian coral reefs, Sargassum mangarevense and Turbinaria ornata; their alginate properties, mannitol and phenolic contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were determined. Turbinaria ornata showed the richest alginate content with the highest extraction yield (19.2 ± 1.3% dw). Their alginates also exhibited the highest viscosity (50 ± 18 mPa.s), but the M:G ratios (mannuronic acid to glucuronic acid) of alginates (1.25–1.42) were similar in both species. Alginate yield displayed spatial variations, but no significant seasonal changes. The highest mannitol content was found in S. mangarevense (12.2 ± 2.1% dw) during the austral winter. With respect to other tropical Fucales, both algae exhibited also a high phenolic content (2.45–2.85% dw) with significant spatio-temporal variations. Furthermore, high antioxidant activity and activity against Staphylococcus aureus were also detected in extracts. According to these preliminary results, these two range-extending algae are of key interest in numerous industrial areas.

Two-stage hydrolysis of invasive algal feedstock for ethanol fermentation.

Abstract: The overall goal of this work was to develop a saccharification method for the production of third generation biofuel (i.e. bioethanol) using feedstock of the invasive marine macroalga Gracilaria salicornia. Under optimum conditions (120 °C and 2% sulfuric acid for 30 min), dilute acid hydrolysis of the homogenized invasive plants yielded a low concentration of glucose (4.1 mM or 4.3 g glucose/kg fresh algal biomass). However, two-stage hydrolysis of the homogenates (combination of dilute acid hydrolysis with enzymatic hydrolysis) produced 13.8 g of glucose from one kilogram of fresh algal feedstock. Batch fermentation analysis produced 79.1 g EtOH from one kilogram of dried invasive algal feedstock using the ethanologenic strain Escherichia coli KO11. Furthermore, ethanol production kinetics indicated that the invasive algal feedstock contained different types of sugar, including C5-sugar. This study represents the first report on third generation biofuel production from invasive macroalgae, suggesting that there is great potential for the production of renewable energy using marine invasive biomass.