The aim of the project is to investigate, the structural and functional characterisation of novel macroalgal-derived phlorotannin, carotenoids (fucoxanthin) and polysaccharides (fucan) from Alaria esculenta cultivated on near-shore long-lines in Bantry Bay, Co. Cork, providing further insight into the structure and antimicrobial/antioxidant activity of the compounds. These compounds have the potential to enhance both human and animal nutrition and general well-being.

The principal premise is that long-line macroalgal cultivation coupled with characterisation analysis will allow for the identification and quantification of these bioactive for reproducible use in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and veterinary products.

BMRS has cultivated 11 long-lines in the 2017/2018 season and has deployed the lines for the 2018/2019 season. Extraction and characterisation of fucoxanthin and phlorotannins has been carried out. Antioxidant activities of both these compounds has also been completed.

Update April 2020

Seaweed harvesting in Bantry BayThe researcher, Silvia Blanco, extracting polysaccharides from Alaria esculenta.

Update March 2020

Seaweed harvesting on March 26.

Seaweed being lifted from the boat

Researchers filling the bins with seaweed from the seaweed farm

Researchers from BMRS after the first seaweed harvesting on March 26

Alaria esculenta’s sporophylls observed on the seaweed farm

Mature sporophylls taken from the seaweed farm

High-value bio-active compounds

Precipitation of polysaccharides from Alaria esculenta’s samplesBantry Marine Research Station has developed a new protocol to extract polysaccharides from Alaria esculenta. The findings will provide more insight into the seasonal variability of a sulphated polysaccharide, fucans, and its ability to improve nutrition for both humans and animals.

Update February 2020

The intern Kora Uellendahl holding a small individual of Alaria esculenta in Bantry Marine Research Station seaweed farm.

Alaria esculenta sporophylls

Alaria esculenta sporophylls

Update January 2020

We have deployed long-lines of Alaria esculenta last October and November. Since then, they have experienced a spectacular development, with individuals between 1.5 and 2 m in length.

At the same time, we are testing the antioxidant activity of the seaweed extracts at Bantry Marine Research Station facilities

Liu, F., Pan, J., Zhang, Z.,Moejes, F.W. 2018. Organelle genomes of the golden tide-forming alga Sargassum confusum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae): mtDNA vs cpDNA. Journal of Applied Phycology, 1-8
Read the article.

During the next three years the PRIMROSE project, will form a network of scientists and industry members to produce an inter-regional toxin and microbiological advisory and forecasting capability to the European aquaculture industry. "The project will produce applications based on reusing existing monitoring data, modelled coastal hydrodynamics, satellite and other novel aerial observations, meteorological, historical and recent trend data to predict and give early warning of toxic blooms and elevated microbiological events. This will allow fish and shellfish farmers to adapt their culture and harvesting practices in time, in order to reduce potential losses," explained project coordinator Joe Silke, from the Marine Institute.

The Marine Institute will implement the lead role of coordinating the project and ensure that all the work packages, actions, deliverables and results are achieved. Already, a strong partnership approach has been established during the project preparation. By consolidating and further developing the regional knowledge capital that exists, the consortium is confident of a successful outcome. Partners will participate in a suite of six work packages and will develop a sustainable product that will be largely automated to predict and produce regular published reports for the long term once the project is finished.

In recent years there has been much discussion of satellites being able to track surface algal blooms. Understanding biological phenomena in the ocean requires a complex approach, though there is some merit in using satellite derived chlorophyll images to delineate high biomass near surface algal blooms. Much cutting edge harmful algal bloom research work has focused on subsurface profiles, where certain species are present in thin layers of limited geographical extent often associated with strong density interfaces. Phytoplankton blooms, micro-algal blooms, toxic algae, red tides, or harmful algae, are all terms for naturally occurring phenomena. Clearly, in order for a toxic, harmful algal bloom, or a microbiological forecast to be realistic, physical factors including changes in water column structure and transport pathways are necessary.

"PRIMROSE is the next step towards providing an operational advisory service by integrating physical oceanographic drivers with a variety of biotoxin, phytoplankton count and microbiological data. A distributed advisory service and a network of thematic experts distributed across the participating countries will then network to provide regular advisory products and forecasts of impending toxic and harmful algal events" Joe Silke further said.

PRIMROSE brings together experts in the areas of Modelling, Earth Observation, Harmful Algal Bloom and Microbiological monitoring programmes and end users to assemble a number of key data sets and build upon and explore new forecasting options. The consortium includes three UK partners (Seafood Shetland, Scottish Association for Marine Science and Plymouth Marine Lab) two Irish partners (Marine Institute and Bantry Marine Research Station), one partner in France (IFREMER), three in Spain (AZTI, Instituto Oceanographico Espanol and AGAPA) and one in Portugal (Institute Technico Superior/University of Lisboa).

Role: Fish Hatchery Manager

Luke Wilson has a degree in Marine Science from NUI Galway and an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation from Trinity College Dublin. He has a number of years’ experience in commercial aquaculture, having worked in barramundi farming in Western Australia and salmon farming in Ireland. He has extensive experience in fish health and the practical applications of cleanerfish, namely wrasse and lumpfish.

Jakobsen, J. & Smith, C., 2017. Farmed Salmon and Farmed Rainbow Trout - Excellent Sources of Vitamin D? Fisheries and Aquaculture Journal doi: 10.4172/2150-3508.1000204. 
Read the article.

Succurro, A., Moejes, F.W., and Ebenhöh, O., 2017. A diverse community to study communities: the perks of multidisciplinary approaches to investigate microbial consortia. Journal of Bacteriology 199:e00865-16 
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Moejes, F.W., Matuszynska, A.B., Adhikari, K., et al., 2017. A systems-wide understanding of the photosynthetic acclimation in algae and higher plants - retrospection and perspectives. Journal of Experimental Botany. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erx137
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Moejes, F.W., Popa, O., Succurro, A., Maguire, J., and Ebenhöh, O., 2016. Dynamics of the bacterial community associated with Phaeodactylum tricornutum cultures. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/077768
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