Growth and biochemical composition of the carrageenophyte Eucheumatopsis isiformis (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta) under cultivation at different irradiance levels
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Long-term production of a few species of Eucheuma and Kappaphycus from the Indo-Pacific Ocean supports the global carrageenan industry. The widespread use of vegetative propagation has resulted in low genetic diversity among farmed populations, making these crops increasingly vulnerable to diseases and environmental stressors, and resulting in declining yields and reduced biomass production over time. Insufficient efforts to develop and select new native cultivars, combined with the ecological risks posed by introducing nonindigenous species, underscore the urgent need to enhance cultivar diversification in eucheumatoid farming. Eucheumatopsis isiformis , a native carrageenophyte to the Atlantic Ocean, has potential for its cultivation in the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico. This study evaluated the growth and biochemical composition (pigments, elemental C and N, kappa/iota carrageenan ratio) of E. isiformis under different irradiance conditions in an indoor cultivation system. Specimens were collected in a subtidal population in Yucatán, Mexico, characterized, acclimatized to laboratory conditions, and exposed to five irradiance levels (71 ± 10.59 –1014 ± 65.85 µmol quanta m −2 s −1 ; 23.4 °C, salinity 33–34). Growth was measured weekly for six weeks, and elemental C and N content, pigment composition, and the kappa/iota-carrageenan ratio were evaluated. Growth and chromatic photoacclimation to light conditions were observed in all treatments. Highest growth rates (3.1–3.2% day −1 ) were registered between 238 ± 28.3 – 518 ± 44.3 µmol quanta m −2 s −1 , with a predominant iota-type carrageenan (0.97 ± 0.02) observed in all treatments. This study aims to provide guidelines for the successful development of the aquaculture of this carrageenophyte.
Source: Journal of Applied Phycology
Language: English
Subfield: Oceanography
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,890
Awards: G1152111522, G2069995437, G2227945321, MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY: NEW MARINER AWARD.
CONTROL NUMBER: 1726-1506
TITLE: ''THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNIQUES FOR TROPICAL SEAWEED CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING''
THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY WILL DESIGN AND DEVELOP A FARM SYSTEM OF A TROPICAL SEAWEED, EUCHEUMA ISIFORME, FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOMASS FOR CONVERSION TO BIOFUELS THAT WILL NOT ONLY MECHANIZE THE SEEDING AND HARVESTING PROCESS TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE LABOR COSTS, BUT WILL ALSO ALLOW FARMS TO BE DEPLOYED IN OFFSHORE AREAS FOR GREATLY EXPANDED LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION.
----------, G2864556850, G4042211786, G4156524974, G423077960, G4636010286, G673133215, G7951366300, G8735459642
OpenAlex ID: W4414571010