Enhancing Bioproducts in Seaweeds via Sustainable Aquaculture: Antioxidant and Sun-Protection Compounds
Doron Yehoshua Ashkenazi,
Félix L. Figueroa,
Nathalie Korbee,
Marta García-Sánchez,
Julia Vega,
Shoshana Ben-Valid,
Guy Paz,
Eitan Salomon,
Álvaro Israel,
Avigdor Abelson
Affiliations
Doron Yehoshua Ashkenazi
School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv-Yafo 69978, Israel
Félix L. Figueroa
Andalusian Institute for Biotechnology and Blue Development (IBYDA), Experimental Center Grice Hutchinson, Malaga University, Lomas de San Julián, 2, 29004 Málaga, Spain
Nathalie Korbee
Andalusian Institute for Biotechnology and Blue Development (IBYDA), Experimental Center Grice Hutchinson, Malaga University, Lomas de San Julián, 2, 29004 Málaga, Spain
Marta García-Sánchez
Andalusian Institute for Biotechnology and Blue Development (IBYDA), Experimental Center Grice Hutchinson, Malaga University, Lomas de San Julián, 2, 29004 Málaga, Spain
Julia Vega
Andalusian Institute for Biotechnology and Blue Development (IBYDA), Experimental Center Grice Hutchinson, Malaga University, Lomas de San Julián, 2, 29004 Málaga, Spain
Shoshana Ben-Valid
School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv-Yafo 69978, Israel
Guy Paz
Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research Ltd. (PBC), Tel Shikmona, P.O. Box 9753, Haifa 3109701, Israel
Eitan Salomon
Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Center for Mariculture, P.O. Box 1212, Eilat 8811201, Israel
Álvaro Israel
Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research Ltd. (PBC), Tel Shikmona, P.O. Box 9753, Haifa 3109701, Israel
Avigdor Abelson
School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv-Yafo 69978, Israel
Marine macroalgae are considered an untapped source of healthy natural metabolites and their market demand is rapidly increasing. Intertidal macroalgae present chemical defense mechanisms that enable them to thrive under changing environmental conditions. These intracellular chemicals include compounds that can be used for human benefit. The aim of this study was to test cultivation protocols that direct seaweed metabolic responses to enhance the production of target antioxidant and photoprotective biomaterials. We present an original integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) design, based on a two-phase cultivation plan, in which three seaweed species were initially fed by fish effluents, and subsequently exposed to various abiotic stresses, namely, high irradiance, nutrient starvation, and high salinity. The combined effect of the IMTA’s high nutrient concentrations and/or followed by the abiotic stressors enhanced the seaweeds’ content of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) by 2.3-fold, phenolic compounds by 1.4-fold, and their antioxidant capacity by 1.8-fold. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rose by 2.7-fold, and the chlorophyll and phycobiliprotein synthesis was stimulated dramatically by an order of magnitude. Our integrated cultivation system design offers a sustainable approach, with the potential to be adopted by emerging industries for food and health applications.