Showing papers on "Holothuria published in 2017"

Evidence for a Saponin Biosynthesis Pathway in the Body Wall of the Commercially Significant Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra.

Abstract: The sea cucumber (phylum Echinodermata) body wall is the first line of defense and is well known for its production of secondary metabolites; including vitamins and triterpenoid glycoside saponins that have important ecological functions and potential benefits to human health. The genes involved in the various biosynthetic pathways are unknown. To gain insight into these pathways in an echinoderm, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis and functional annotation of the body wall and the radial nerve of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra; to define genes associated with body wall metabolic functioning and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. We show that genes related to signal transduction mechanisms were more highly represented in the H. scabra body wall, including genes encoding enzymes involved in energy production. Eight of the core triterpenoid biosynthesis enzymes were found, however, the identity of the saponin specific biosynthetic pathway enzymes remains unknown. We confirm the body wall release of at least three different triterpenoid saponins using solid phase extraction followed by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry. The resource we have established will help to guide future research to explore secondary metabolite biosynthesis in the sea cucumber.

Holothurians antifungal and antibacterial activity to human pathogens in the Persian Gulf.

Abstract: Summary Pharmaceutical industries now accept that oceans contain a vast array of organisms with unique biological properties. As investigation of antimicrobial activity, three species of Holothuria sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra, Holothuria parva and Holothuria leucospilota) from the Persian Gulf, Iran, were obtained, their different organs: gonads (G), body wall (BW), intestine tract (IT), respiratory tree (RT) were isolated and extracted with organic solvents: ethyl acetate and methanol. Antifungal and antibacterial activities of each fraction was estimated with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk-diffusion method against the number (i.e. n = 10) of human pathogenic microbes (eight pathogenic Gram-positive/negative bacteria strains and two fungi). All the sea cucumbers extracts confirmed their strong potential antagonistic effect against the bacterial and fungal indicators, except for three relatively resistant microbial strains: Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia. Most effective antifungal and antibacterial activities were recorded for methanolic extract of intestine tract organs of H. parva against Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MIC = 0.09 mg/ml, IZ = 22 ± 0.8 mm) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 0.04 mg/ml and IZ = 30 ± 0.9 mm), compared the other extracts. Nevertheless, the differences between species can result from a variety of their natural habits. The finding suggests that marine Holothuria sea cucumber specie, especially H. parva, has a potential source for the discovery of natural antibiotic compounds and drug development.

Sulfated polysaccharides with antioxidant and anticoagulant activity from the sea cucumber Holothuria fuscogliva

Abstract: Sea cucumber is a traditional nutritional food and medicinal resource with many bioactive components in China. Holothuria fuscogliva is a big sea cucumber with a rich of bioactive polysaccharides. To investigate the bioactivities of the polysaccharides from sea cucumber H. fuscogliva, we prepared the sulfated polysaccharides (HfP) from sea cucumber H. fuscogliva using a protease hydrolysis method. Antioxidant activities of HfP were investigated, including hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide radical scavenging activity. And, the anticoagulant activities of HfP were studied, including the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT). The average molecular weight was 1 867.1 Da, with a sulfate content of 20.7%. In addition, the molar ratio of monosaccharide composition of HfP was Man: Rha: Glc A: Glc: Gal: Xyl: Fuc=0.083 6: 0.437: 0.134: 0:1.182: 0.748: 1. It had a strong antioxidant activity, the hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenging activity EC50 of HfP was 3.74 and 0.037 mg/mL, respectively. It also showed a good anticoagulant activity in our study. The APTT of HfP was much higher than that of heparin sodium, and the PT and TT of HfP was close to that of heparin sodium at a low concentration. Therefore, HfP shows a good antioxidant and anticoagulant activity and it may become a potential candidate of the natural antioxidant and anticoagulant and will have a good application future in health product or medicine industry.

Identification and Quantification of Phthalate Pollution in Holothuria atra : A Sea Cucumber from the Persian Gulf (Iran)

Abstract: In recent years, microplastics have accumulated in oceans and sediments worldwide. Due to their small size, microplastics may be ingested by low trophic fauna, with uncertain consequences for the health of the organism. Sea cucumbers are one of the major echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea that ingest plasticizers in their mouth and filter the water. Regarding the recent interests on probable pollution of medicinal plants and other natural medicines, like marine organisms to phthalates, in this study a phthalate ester was isolated from Holothuria atra of Persian coasts for the first time. The structure of the compound was elucidated using spectroscopic data (IR, NMR and MS) and the compound was used as a standard for quantification of microplastic in H. atra, a marker of pollutant in the Persian Gulf. Quantification was done by high performance thin layer chromatography and the amount of bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP) was 0.15 ± 0.08 mg/g.

Surveillance study on the most common sea-cucumbers in some Egyptian coasts

Abstract: Sea cucumbers depletion has become a threat to Egypt because of the extreme harvesting and utility of sea cucumbers for their direct value as food and as source for bioactive products. Therefore, it is necessary to have an updated overview about the current available species in Egyptian fauna, including distribution, anatomy and morphological analysis. Six species of sea-cucumbers were collected from Egyptian coasts (Mediterranean and Red Seas). One of these species, namely Holothuria polii is collected from Mediterranean Sea coasts (Abu-Qir and Miami regions, Alexandria) while, the other five species were found in Hurghada shores. The collected species were identified and separated according to morphometric analysis. The variation of morphological characters between collected samples and their distribution along Egyptian coasts were discussed. The obtained results revealed that Holothuria leucospilota, Holothuria edulis, Bohadschia marmorata and Actinopyga mauritiana can emit fine sticky mass named Cuvierian tubules from their anus while, Holothuria atra and Holothuria polii lack this tubule. In addition, there is a significant difference between Actinopyga mauritiana and other genera in the presence of five distinct teeth around the anus.

In vitro anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase activity of collagen from sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota)

Abstract: Collagen is the main structural component of connective tissues in vertebral and invertebral animal tissues and organs. The collagen isolated from the body wall of sea cucumber (Holothuria lecospilota) can be used in the pharmaceutical field. The research aimed at isolating collagen from the sea cucumber body wall and testing the anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase activity. This was done by isolation of collagen by soaking the body wall of sea cucumber using Tris-HCl-EDTA 0.1 M and dialyzing using 0.5 M acetic acid. The step was followed by characterization of collagen using FT-IR spectrophotometer and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The resulting collagen was tested for anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase in vitro. The research showed that the resulting collagen was of the amide group with molecular weight of 166.43 and 138.35 kDa, showing α1 and α2 chains. Anti-tyrosinase activity test showed an IC50 value of 1.20 mg/mL, while anti-elastase activity test showed an IC50 value of 125 µg/mL. The collagen isolated from the sea cucumber has weak anti-tyrosinase and moderate anti-elastase activity. Key words: Crude collagen, anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase, sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota).

Analisa Kadar Protein Pada Teripang (Holothuria argus) Terhadap Lama Perebusan

Abstract: Protein is the most important nutrients in the body, which serves as a new network-forming and maintaining or repairing worn tissue. Protein cucumbers reach 82% of his body. However, the protein can undergo denaturation when heated. Formulation of the research problem is whether there was an effect on long boiling sea cucumbers ( Holothuria argus ) the protein content. The research objective was to determine whether there is a long effect on the boiling sea cucumbers ( Holothuria argus ) the protein content. This type of research is experimental. The study population was all kinds of sea cucumbers are caught by fishermen in Kel.Sukolilo Kec.Bulak Surabaya. The research sample is sea cucumber Holothuria argus species caught by fishermen in Kel.Sukolilo Kec.Bulak Surabaya. Research using the 5 treatments with 5 repetitions. Criteria longer boiling is P1 (0 min / control), P2 (15 min), P3 (30 minutes), P4 (45 minutes), and P5 (60 minutes). Data examined protein levels by means of laboratory tests. Based on the laboratory results obtained average amount of 16.948% protein content in boiling 0 minutes, 13.068% in 15 minutes, 11.986% at 30 minutes, 10.652% at 45 minutes, and 8.732% in boiling water 60 minutes.Test results are then tested the statistical ANOVA showed significant values where 0.000 <0.05 (α). It can be concluded that there is a long effect on the boiling sea cucumbers ( Holothuria argus ) the protein content. Keywords: Sea Cucumber & Protein Levels

Population density and spatial arrangement of two holothurian species in a coral reef system: Is clumping behavior an anti-predatory strategy?

Abstract: A first attempt to estimate population densities of Holothuria atra and H. pardalis in relation to the spatial arrangement of individuals was made around Clipperton atoll. Seven sites of 120 m2 each with four transects were examined, counting the individuals per holothurian group: in total 1711 of which 1199 H. atra and 512 H. pardalis. The Morisita index of aggregation was applied to identify the spatial arrangement of individuals: random, uniform or clumped. Holothuria atra was found all around the atoll and densities varied between 0.03 to 4.78 ind m-2. It showed a clumped distribution on the eastern side of the atoll, and random and uniform patterns on the western side. Its broad distribution was attributed to its being a 'habitat generalist species', its tolerance to high temperatures, and its ability reproduce both sexually and asexually. Holothuria pardalis was found in only one site with 4.27 ind m-2 and a clumped distribution. The correlation of the Morisita index and density values of both species revealed that high densities were associated with a high degree of aggregation. This result led us to hypothesize that the clumped distribution of holothurians might provide protection against predators. Other ecological factors causing aggregations are discussed.

Holothuria and cordyceps product and preparation method thereof

Abstract: The invention provides a holothuria and cordyceps product and a preparation method thereof. The product comprises holothuria, cordyceps militaris, fructus lycii and herba cistanche according to a 'monarch, minister, assistant and guide' principle for matching, wherein herba cistanche serves as monarch. The holothuria and cordyceps product is functional food and available for long-term use since all of the raw materials are 'medicinal-edible' materials, and owing to a scientific ratio, male and female sexual functions can be well improved in short time. By application for one month, impotence improvement rate reaches 90%, erectile dysfunction and prospermia improvement rate reaches 100%, and female sexual apathy improvement rate reaches 88%.

Composition of Fatty Acids in Evaluation of Sea Cucumber Potency for Nutraceutical Product Development

Abstract: Unsaturated fatty acid in food has an effect to improve human health, while saturated fatty acid has the opposite impact. Ratio between both types of fatty acids is important to evaluate the biological material for nutraceutical product development. This paper aimed to evaluate the nutraceutical potency of sea cucumber from Kendari Bay Waters, South East Sulawesi, based on their fatty acids composition. The analysis was conducted by the 1H-NMR (Hidrogen-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) method. Several species within 4 genera (Holothuria, Bohadschia, Actinopyga, and Stichopus) were selected as the subject of the study. Comparison of fatty acid composition has been done in genera level, the preliminary study found that variation between species among the same genera was insignificant (p >0.05). Results of the study detected that Holothuria contained with an even ratio of Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) and Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA), but Actinopyga was detected with low PUFA/SFA ratio. It may suggest that Holothuria from this region is the most potential raw material for nutraceutical product development. Meanwhile, precaution is needed for genera that contained with low PUFA/SFA ratio. Furthermore, comparison with other studies detected that fatty acids composition is not morphological specific, but vary, according to food viability, environmental and geographic location. Therefore, preliminary screening is important in evaluation of sea cucumber material for nutraceutical product development.