Turbinaria (alga)

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This article is about the brown alga. For the stony coral genus, see Turbinaria (coral).

Turbinaria
Turbinaria ornata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Stramenopiles
Phylum: Gyrista
Subphylum: Ochrophytina
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Fucales
Family: Sargassaceae
Genus: Turbinaria
J.V.Lamouroux, 1825

Turbinaria is a genus of

phenolics and tannins.[2]

The genus has shown promise as a way of removing lead from aqueous solutions.[3]

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

Turbinaria J.V. Lamouroux is a genus under family Sargassaceae, order Fucales, of the class Phaeophyceae (brown algae). Taxonomic classification is based on morphological characteristics including the shape of the leaves, vesicles, and receptacles, as well as the development of the axes.[4] The genus has received comparatively lesser attention than other genera under Sargassaceae, and like many seaweeds, the large degree of phenotypic plasticity exhibited by different species has led to many taxonomic uncertainties.[5][6] The use of molecular analyses has been useful in this regard.

Morphology

Turbinaria ornata (owner not stated, 2006)

Turbinaria is characterized by an upright thallus with radially branched axes bearing blades. It has a tough texture.[4] The blades come in various forms described as stipitate, turbinate, crowned, and obpyramidal.[7] Its appearance resembles that of a long pinecone. The thallus is kept upright by a holdfast consisting of spread out branches growing from the main axes. Mature thalli possess receptacles, their reproductive organs which branch out from the tips of the stalks on the blades.[4]

Distribution

Turbinaria is mainly distributed in tropical coral reefs but is also found in the subtropics and temperate regions. Southeast Asia as well as the Indian Ocean contain the highest diversity of the genus. Turbinaria ornata is the species with the widest distribution within the genus, ranging from the West Atlantic, to the Indo-Pacific, and East Africa.[4]

Ecology

The genus can survive in various habitats such as tide pools, rocky intertidal zones, and forereefs, as well as up to depths of 30 meters,[4] as well as in habitats will varying levels of exposure. They have adapted different forms to suit their environments.[8] Thalli in habitats with high wave action tend to be shorter, tougher, and not buoyant which helps them withstand the harsh conditions.[9][10] On the other hand, thalli in more sheltered habitats are longer, with weaker tissue, and develop buoyancy with sexual maturity.[11]

Turbinaria is one of the principal genera of macroalgae that have been observed to take over degraded reefs following losses in hard coral cover.[12] One of the reasons for this is that it has a higher thermal tolerance than some coral species giving it a competitive advantage during periods of high temperatures.[13] Its thalli can also cause abrasions on corals which can lead to death.[14][15]

Life History

Species like Turbinaria ornata are monoecious and reproduce both sexually and asexually. The life cycle begins with a diploid thallus which releases haploid gametes which develop in its receptacles which contain oogonia for eggs, and antheridia for antherozoids. Fertilization occurs at the tip of the receptacle which results in a diploid zygote.[16] Asexual reproduction occurs via fragmentation and dispersal. Dispersal occurs in two modes: short ( < 1 m) and long distance (kms).[4]

Harvesting/Cultivation

Harvesting of Turbinaria is largely done by collecting drifting thalli on the water surface or directly from the substratum.[4] The genus is commonly harvested in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines for alginate production.[17][18][19] It is abundant year-round in French Polynesia and India,[20][19] and is harvested seasonally in Indonesia.[18]

Chemical Composition

Turbinaria contains fucoxanthin which is a carotenoid pigment found in all brown algae. Its functions lie in the harvesting of light and energy transfer.[4] The genus has high levels of iron (893.7 ± 210.5 g−1 µg dry weight),[20] and has an affinity for arsenic and nickel, depending on the concentrations in the environments in which they grow.[4] It also has good potential for alginate production since it can yield up to 40% of its dry weight in alginate.[21] Turbinaria also contains fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.[22][23]

The Genus Turbinaria is still chemically and pharmacologically underexplored. These brown algae belong to the family Sargassaceae. Therapeutic potentials of pure compounds isolated from the Genus Turbinaria are extraordinarily promising as antiproliferative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory immunostimulatory, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, antiviral, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic. Those activities are represented by diverse classes of compounds including sterols, amino acids, fatty acids, alcohols, halocarbons, hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, esters and cyclic tetrapyrrole compounds.[24]

Utilization

Turbinaria is utilized for its alginate extracts, which are used as thickening, gelling, and stabilizing agents in food and drinks, as well as in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.[25] The young thalli of Turbinaria ornata are consumed in Indonesia either fresh, salted, or with curry sauce.[26] Dried Turbinaria can be ground and used as seasoning. In Samoa, it is used as a stir-fry ingredient.[26] Brown algae are often used in animal feed as they can provide nutritional supplements and improve growth.[27] A study found that prawn feeds containing T. ornata supplements increased growth, survival, and digestion.[28] Turbinaria is also used as fertilizer[17] and pesticides[29] in many Asian countries.

Species

Turbinaria ornata
Turbinaria triquetra
Turbinaria gracilis

AlgaeBase lists 32 current species of Turbinaria.:[30]

References

  1. S2CID 83568641
    .
  2. S2CID 19551247
    .
  3. doi:10.1016/j.bej.2006.10.020
    .
  4. ^
    S2CID 220376357
    .
  5. ISSN 0305-1978
    .
  6. PMID 18371754
    .
  7. S2CID 83568641
    .
  8. S2CID 84812332
    .
  9. ISSN 0924-7963
    .
  10. ISSN 0304-3770
    .
  11. S2CID 84580325
    .
  12. PMC 6410839
    .
  13. S2CID 218490727
    .
  14. ISSN 0022-0981
    .
  15. ISSN 0304-3770
    .
  16. ^ Stiger V (1997) Contribution à l'étude de la biologie des populations de deux grandes algues brunes Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J. Agardh et Sargassum mangaravense (Grunow) Setchell, proliférant sur les récifs de la Polynésie française. Dissertation. Université Française du Pacifique Tahiti
  17. ^
    S2CID 33399681
    .
  18. ^
    S2CID 46837987
    .
  19. ^
    S2CID 196686866
    .
  20. ^
    S2CID 84995604
    .
  21. S2CID 24701339
    .
  22. PMID 28962791
    .
  23. PMID 31601041
    .
  24. S2CID 211261066
    .
  25. ISBN 978-953-307-905-9
  26. ^ a b Novaczek I (2001) A guide to the common edible and medicinal sea plants of the Pacific Islands. University of the South Pacific, Suva
  27. S2CID 24875387
    .
  28. ^ Rajkumar G, Bhavan PS, Srinivasan V, Udayasuriyan R, Karthik M, Satgurunathan T (2017) Partial replacement of fishmeal with marine algae Turbinaria ornata and Gracilaria corticata for sustainable culture of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Int J Res Stud Zool 3:32–44
  29. ISSN 2231-5209
    .
  30. ^ M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. June 21, 2014. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org ; searched on January 23, 2022.
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