Kappaphycus alvarezii is a red seaweed used globally in various biotechnological processes. To ensure the content and stability of its bioactive compounds postharvest, suitable drying protocols must be adopted to provide high-quality raw materials for industrial use. This study aimed to analyze the influence of freeze-drying and oven-drying on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (FRAP and DPPH assays), total carotenoid content (TC), and lipase (LA) and protease activity (PA) of K. alvarezii samples collected over the seasons in sea farms in southern Brazil. The freeze-drying technique was found to be more effective regarding superior contents of TPC (39.23 to 127.74 mg GAE/100 g) and TC (10.27 to 75.33 μg/g), as well as DPPH (6.12 to 8.91 mg/100 g). In turn, oven-drying proved to be the best method regarding the TFC (4.99 to 12.29 mg QE/100 g) and PA (119.50 to 1485.09 U/g), with better performance in the FRAP (0.28 to 0.70 mmol/100 g). In this way, it appears that the drying process of the algal biomass can be selected depending on the required traits of the biomass for the intended industrial application. In terms of cost-effectiveness, drying the biomass using oven-drying can be considered appropriate.

This study evaluated the efficacy and optimal concentrations of Kappaphycus alvarezii biostimulant from São Paulo (Kal-SP) and Santa Catarina (Kal-SC) for the hydroponic cultivation of basil (Ocimum basilicum). Basil plants were grown with 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% concentrations of each extract using distilled water as a control. The extracts were applied via weekly foliar sprays. Morphological and biochemical parameters, in addition to the biogenic amine profile, were evaluated. Morphologically, 3% Kal-SP increased plant height by 17.1% and length of the roots by 54.8%, while 3% and 5% Kal-SC enhanced node number by 95.2% and 120.2%, respectively. Biochemically, 5% Kal-SP and 1% and 7% Kal-SC maximized chlorophyll and carotenoid content, 5% Kal-SP and 5–7% Kal-SC increased soluble sugars, and 7% Kal-SP and 3–7% Kal-SC elevated starch. Amino acid levels were the highest with 7% Kal-SP and 5% Kal-SC. The biogenic amine profile was also modulated by the K. alvarezii extracts, demonstrating their ability to influence compounds of interest. The results suggest that 3% or higher concentrations of these extracts can be beneficially applied to basil cultivation, with potential variations depending on the seaweed’s geographic origin.

A Kappaphycus alvarezii é a quinta macroalga mais cultivada do mundo e tem sido comercialmente cultivada no Estado de Santa Catarina desde 2020. Seu cultivo atualmente tem se voltado à produção de biofertilizante, todavia, a validação deste produto ainda é uma necessidade do setor. Assim, nesse estudo, objetivou-se analisar as respostas morfológica e bioquímica do uso do biofertilizante de K. alvarezii em plantas de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum) cultivadas em sistema hidropônico de produção. Utilizando as concentrações de 1%, 3%, 5% e 7%, com aplicação foliar semanal, constatou-se na análise morfológica que o biofertilizante, nas concentrações 3% e 5%, foi capaz de incrementar o número de nós, diferindo do controle. Além disso, a matéria seca da raiz também foi incrementada quando aplicado 5% do biofertilizante. Na análise bioquímica, observou-se incremento do teor de clorofila (1% e 5%), de açúcares solúveis totais (5% e 7%), do amido total (3%, 5% e 7%), de carboidratos totais (5% e 7%) e aminoácidos totais (5% e 7%) quando comparada ao controle. Esses resultados indicam que o biofertilizante de K. alvarezii pode ser uma alternativa promissora para o setor agrícola.

The Portal of Periódicos CAPES (PPC), created in the 2000's, has an agreement with 39,000 scientific journals, which allows it to be a broad and secure database for accessing scientific articles in the most diverse fields. The Portal provides access to 390 databases/collections, including national and international data, digital libraries and repositories, and journal collections. There are 13 scientific categories in the Portal, the most important being Multidisciplinary, followed by Engineering, Applied Social Sciences, and Exact and Earth Sciences. The Portal of Periódicos CAPES allows one to apply different filters to perform searches, what facilitates finding suitable articles for systematic reviews, for example. Thus, this study aimed to determine the performance of the PPC by measuring the number of retrieved scientific documents in comparison to other databases (e.g., PubMed, Redalyc, and SciELO). For that, five analyzes were carried out using certain descriptors and a time interval of published articles. By doing so, a larger number of queries resulted from the CAPES Portal in respect to the databases investigated, characterizing it as a powerful tool for the audience interested in searching and recovering high quality scientific documents, especially when compared with databases abroad (i.e., PubMed). Additionally, for further expansion and optimizations of the PPC, it is important that it be more and more valued, both nationally and internationally. For that, a greater dissemination of their contents and possibilities to the users, e.g., researchers, professors, and students, must be pursued, in addition to greater investments in research and development in the country.

This review aimed to analyze the effects of Kappaphycus alvarezii extract as a biofertilizer for species of agricultural interest, considering scientific articles published between 2020 and 2024. The systematic review followed Prisma criteria and was conducted in the Capes Periodicals Portal database. Of the 480 articles initially identified, 25 addressed the use of K. alvarezii with a focus on the agronomic area. Among the evaluated crops, corn, rice, and tomato stood out, totaling 72% of the studies. A significant variation in results was found concerning the concentrations of the tested extracts, i.e., between 0.1% and 10% (v/v), indicating that the efficacy of the biofertilizer may be dose-dependent. Additionally, the method of application may also play an important role. However, in general, the studies demonstrate that the algal extract not only stimulates plant growth and productivity but also enhances their resistance to stresses. Furthermore, it positively influences molecular mechanisms, plant health, and the soil microbiome, contributing to production systems with lower environmental impact. Thus, the biofertilizer from K. alvarezii may be a viable alternative for sustainable agriculture.