Shanmugam Munisamy
Research Scientist
Abstract
Total DNA quantification in seaweeds is paramount important and it enables selective breeding and physiological understanding. Measuring DNA content identifies genetic quality and potential in candidate organisms for aquaculture development, supporting the selection of strains with faster growth, higher nutrient profiles, or enhanced stress tolerance. Since DNA content reflects cell ploidy levels the number of chromosome sets quantification reveals how ploidy influences seaweed growth rates, stress responses, metabolic efficiency, and environmental adaptation. Seaweed of the genus Ulva widely known as sea lettuce, is a high protein content and fast-growing plant and can grow in wide range of climate. Ulva fenestrata stands out as a premier candidate for sustainable aquaculture, notable for offering exceptionally high levels of bioactive vitamin B12, balanced essential amino acids, and efficient nutrient bioremediation and serves as a versatile feedstock for functional foods, animal feed additives, and eco-friendly biomaterials.
Abstract
The sugar kelp Saccharina latissima has received intense scientific attention over the last decade due to their great potential to be utilized as human food, biomolecules, feed, and feed additives. In Norway as well as in other coastal European countries, the commercial-scale farming of the sister species S. latissima has been widely successfully demonstrated within the past decade. Norway has nutrient-rich seawaters, diverse seaweed biodiversity, and conducive geographical structure which can favor aquaculture of this species at commercial scale. Development of Karyotyping and systematic analysis of an organism’s chromosome composition is crucial for seaweed breeding programs because it provides essential genetic information that directly impacts crop improvement, selection efficiency, and biotechnological applications. Therefore, breeders can identify distinct cytotypes (organisms with different chromosome numbers) and use this knowledge to select genetically diverse parents for crosses, which increases the likelihood of producing plantlets with desirable agronomic traits including accelerated maturation, structural robustness, stress resilience, vigorous growth, and elevated nutrient accumulation.
Abstract
There is growing interest in simple and resource-efficient recovery strategies that maximize pigment yield while minimizing chemical inputs and processing intensity. Mechanical fractionation using twin-screw press offers a promising approach by releasing soluble intracellular compounds into a liquid fraction while simultaneously generating a solid fraction that can be further valorized. In this study, freshly harvested P. palmata biomass was mechanically fractionated prior to ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, and freeze-drying to produce a phycoerythrin. This approach aims to maximize R-PE recovery through low-input processing while reducing chemical consumption and energy requirements compared with conventional extraction methods. The distribution and recovery of R-PE within the generated process streams were evaluated to assess the potential of mechanical fractionation as a primary recovery step in phycoerythrin extraction.