R-phycoerythrin (R-PE), a pigment complex found in red algae, was extracted and purified from a newly identified red alga, Colaconema formosanum, and its bioactivities were examined. It was revealed that R-PE treatment resulted in high cell viability (>70%) to the mammalian cell lines NIH-3T3, RBL-2H3, RAW264.7, and Hs68, and had no effect on cell morphology in NIH-3T3 cells. Its suppression effect was insignificant on the production of IL-6 and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. However, calcium ionophore A23187-induced β-hexosaminidase release was effectively inhibited in a dose-dependent manner in RBL-2H3 cells. Additionally, it was revealed to be non-irritating to bionic epidermal tissues. Notably, procollagen production was promoted in Hs68 cells. Overall, the data revealed that R-PE purified from C. formosanum exhibits anti-allergic and anti-aging bioactivities with no observed consequential toxicity on multiple mammalian cell lines as well as epidermal tissues, suggesting that this macromolecule is a novel material for potential cosmetic use.

The green alga Caulerpa microphysa, which is native to Taiwan, has a relatively high economic value and a well-developed culture technique, and is used mainly as a foodstuff. Its extract has been shown to exhibit antitumor properties, but the polysaccharide content of the extract and its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects and moisture-absorption and -retention capacity remain unknown. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of the polysaccharides in C. microphysa extract (CME) for use in cosmetics. The overall polysaccharide yield from the CME was 73.93% w/w, with four molecular weight fractions. The polysaccharides comprised 59.36 mol% mannose, 27.16 mol% glucose, and 13.48 mol% galactose. In addition, the CME exhibited strong antiallergic, wound-healing, transdermal-delivery, and moisture-absorption and -retention effects. In conclusion, the results suggested that CME potentially has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects and a good moisture capacity, which can be used in cosmetic applications.

We investigated whether phycoerythrin (PE), a pigment sourced from marine algae, could act as an immunomodulatory agent in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). To this end, PE was extracted and purified from a PE-rich macroalgae, Colaconema sp. Our in vitro analysis demonstrated that PE enhanced prophenoloxidase and phagocytosis activity but inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species in hemocytes. Additionally, the PE signal could be detected using an in vivo imaging system after its injection into the ventral sinus of the cephalothorax of whiteleg shrimp. The expression profiles of fourteen immune-related genes were monitored in hemocytes from whiteleg shrimp injected with 0.30 μg of PE per gram of body weight, and crustin, lysozyme, penaiedin 4, and anti-lipopolysaccharide factor showed up-regulated post-stimulation. The induction of immune genes and enhancement of innate immune parameters by PE may explain the higher survival rates for shrimp that received different doses of PE prior to being challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus or white spot syndrome virus compared to controls. Combined, these results show that PE from Colaconema sp. can differentially stimulate the immune response of whiteleg shrimp in vitro and in vivo and could potentially be used as an immunomodulator in shrimp culture.

Due to climate change and its associated factors, there has been an increased influx of pelagic brown algae biomass drifting freely in the Caribbean Sea in recent years. Its use as an industrial recyclable material is feasible, although pelagic Sargassum species have Arsenic (As) heavy metal content; among 531 tested pesticide residues applied to vegetables, fruit, infant food, herbs, and spices, zero were found in Sargassum. Sargassum also contains sulfated polysaccharides and oligosaccharides, which are known to be beneficial immunomodulators. Our results thus suggest Sargassum to be a functionally useful organic material in small quantities as an additive in animal feed. With improved chemical extraction methods, it could also be highly effective in adjusted proportions in cosmetics and for other industrial uses. A viable solution for predicting and tracking the large-scale movements of algal masses is provided. Furthermore, a method for addressing increasing Sargassum influx is proposed via its use as an industrial recyclable material following composition analysis, evaluation and safety assessments for cosmetic use, and research and design of new beauty products and other functional cosmetics.

The genus Colaconema, containing endophytic algae associated with economically important macroalgae, is common around the world, but has rarely been reported in Taiwan. A new species, C. formosanum, was found attached to an economically important local macroalga, Sarcodia suae, in southern Taiwan. The new species was confirmed based on morphological observations and molecular analysis. Both the large subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rbcL) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI-5P) genes showed high genetic variation between our sample and related species. Anatomical observations indicated that the new species presents asexual reproduction by monospores, cylindrical cells, irregularly branched filaments, a single pyrenoid, and single parietal plastids. Our research supports the taxonomic placement of C. formosanum within the genus Colaconema. This study presents the third record of the Colaconema genus in Taiwan.

Ultraviolet (UV-C) irradiation is the most important part of water filtration, which has no side effects on the environment and has been used in water purification systems in the aquaculture and transistor industries. In this research, the effect of UV-C on Chlorella sp. was investigated. Chlorella sp. was irradiated 0, 1, 2 or 3 times at a fixed flow rate of 6.5 L min⁻¹ and the effects of UV-C LED on the apoptosis rate and death rate of Chlorella sp. were analyzed by flow cytometry after staining cells with the nucleic acid dye SYTOX Green and the membrane-associated protein stain Annexin V-PE Reagent. As a result of UV-C irradiation, the Chlorella sp. cells underwent phosphatidylserine (PS) ectropion and plasma membrane damage, which resulted in death. The effect of UV-C was proportional to the number of times of irradiation. Three doses of UV-C LED irradiation resulted in a 91.76 ± 3.33% death rate, as observed through SYTOX Green staining, with no rebound within 72 h. This research is the first report to observe that delayed cellular apoptosis occurred in Chlorella sp., and we expect that our study can be used as a standard reference for future industrial applications.