Advances and New Perspectives in Marine Biotechnology 2.0

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (21 December 2020) | Viewed by 18801

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Av. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey N.L. CP 64849, Mexico
Interests: Bio-catalysis; Enzyme immobilization; Algal Biotechnology; Bioengineering; Biomedical Engineering; Environmental Engineering; Biosensors; Biomaterials; Drug Delivery Systems; Liquid and solid waste management; Biomass and Bioenergy
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Guest Editor
Professor, Institute of Advanced Materials and Sustainable Manufacturing, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
Interests: biomaterials; biopolymers; biomolecules; and bioprocess; biorefinery; microalgae biotechnology; applied biocatalysis; bioreactor engineering and bioprocess modeling; nanomaterials; functional foods and high-added-value compounds; green technologies for the revalorization of agroindustrial waste
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Guest Editor
School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
Interests: separation science; natural product chemistry; advanced food chemistry; life sciences and biomedicine; food and health; food nutrition
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Guest Editor
School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China
Interests: nanotechnology; nanomaterials; nanobiocatalysis; environmental remediation; environmental biotechnology/engineering; bioremediation; bio-catalysis; enzymes; immobilization; chemical engineering; green chemistry; materials; bioenergy
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Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Marine biome exhibits an immense essence of excellence and enriched with high-value bioactive compounds of therapeutic and biomedical value. In recent years, an array of biologically active molecules has been extracted/isolated and purified from numerous sources of marine origin with the aid of distinct techniques and methodologies for newer applications. Much focus has been shifted to engineer novel constructs, both at the micro- and nano level, with applied perspectives for target applications in different bio- and non-bio sectors of the modern world. Nanotechnology can offer new opportunities to address this challenging issue facing large-scale processes. The key scientific advancements in nanotechnology at large and environmental engineering, biomedical, bioelectronics, biosensors, and bio-catalysis, in particular, have presented next-generation concepts. The utilization of properly designed and structured materials thus allows for the creation of a well-defined prototype that supports a series of directed events. For these reasons, we are pleased to launch this new special issue.

This special issue will emphasize the fundamental design concepts and emerging applications of marine-based sources that aims to green the 21st-century, such as the bioconversions and/or biotransformation products, therapeutic and biotechnological applications. Spanning across all aspects encompassing circular economy and life cycle assessment perspectives are of supreme interest. Both types of articles, research, and review are welcome in this issue.

Prof. Hafiz M.N. Iqbal
Dr. Roberto Parra-Saldivar
Dr. Hafiz Suleria
Dr. Muhammad Bilal
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Marine biome
  • Bioengineering
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Environmental engineering
  • Immobilization
  • Biomaterials
  • Nanostructured materials
  • Therapeutic applications
  • Point-of-care
  • Bioconversions
  • Extraction techniques
  • Skin curative

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1536 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential of the Invasive Seagrass Halophila stipulacea
by Clementina Sansone, Christian Galasso, Marco Lo Martire, Tomás Vega Fernández, Luigi Musco, Antonio Dell’Anno, Antonino Bruno, Douglas M. Noonan, Adriana Albini and Christophe Brunet
Mar. Drugs 2021, 19(1), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/md19010037 - 16 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2969
Abstract
Marine organisms with fast growth rates and great biological adaptive capacity might have biotechnological interests, since ecological competitiveness might rely on enhanced physiological or biochemical processes’ capability promoting protection, defense, or repair intracellular damages. The invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea, a non-indigenous species [...] Read more.
Marine organisms with fast growth rates and great biological adaptive capacity might have biotechnological interests, since ecological competitiveness might rely on enhanced physiological or biochemical processes’ capability promoting protection, defense, or repair intracellular damages. The invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea, a non-indigenous species widespread in the Mediterranean Sea, belongs to this category. This is the premise to investigate the biotechnological interest of this species. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity in vitro, both in scavenging reactive oxygen species and in repairing damages from oxidative stress on the fibroblast human cell line WI-38. Together with the biochemical analysis, the antioxidant activity was characterized by the study of the expression of oxidative stress gene in WI-38 cells in presence or absence of the H. stipulacea extract. Concomitantly, the pigment pool of the extracts, as well as their macromolecular composition was characterized. This study was done separately on mature and young leaves. Results indicated that mature leaves exerted a great activity in scavenging reactive oxygen species and repairing damages from oxidative stress in the WI-38 cell line. This activity was paralleled to an enhanced carotenoids content in the mature leaf extracts and a higher carbohydrate contribution to organic matter. Our results suggest a potential of the old leaves of H. stipulacea as oxidative stress damage protecting or repair agents in fibroblast cell lines. This study paves the way to transmute the invasive H. stipulacea environmental threat in goods for human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and New Perspectives in Marine Biotechnology 2.0)
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14 pages, 2577 KiB  
Article
Influence of Low Salt Concentration on Growth Behavior and General Biomass Composition in Lyngbya purpurem (Cyanobacteria)
by Itzel Y. López-Pacheco, Susana Fuentes-Tristan, Laura Isabel Rodas-Zuluaga, Carlos Castillo-Zacarías, Itzel Pedro-Carrillo, María Adriana Martínez-Prado, Hafiz M. N. Iqbal and Roberto Parra-Saldívar
Mar. Drugs 2020, 18(12), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/md18120621 - 4 Dec 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3044
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are essential for the vast number of compounds they produce and the possible applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetical, and food industries. As Lyngbya species’ characterization is limited in the literature, we characterize this cyanobacterium’s growth and biomass. L. purpureum was grown [...] Read more.
Cyanobacteria are essential for the vast number of compounds they produce and the possible applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetical, and food industries. As Lyngbya species’ characterization is limited in the literature, we characterize this cyanobacterium’s growth and biomass. L. purpureum was grown and analyzed under different salinities, culture media, and incubation times to determine the best conditions that favor its cell growth and the general production of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and some pigments as phycocyanin and chlorophyll a. In this study, each analyzed biomolecule’s highest content was proteins 431.69 mg g−1, carbohydrates 301.45 mg g−1, lipids 131.5 mg g−1, chlorophyll a 4.09 mg g−1, and phycocyanin 40.4 mg g−1. These results can provide a general context of the possible uses that can be given to biomass and give an opening to investigate possible biocompounds or bio metabolites that can be obtained from it. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and New Perspectives in Marine Biotechnology 2.0)
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Review

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21 pages, 2307 KiB  
Review
Marine-Derived Biologically Active Compounds for the Potential Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
by Muhammad Bilal, Maimoona Qindeel, Leonardo Vieira Nunes, Marco Thúlio Saviatto Duarte, Luiz Fernando Romanholo Ferreira, Renato Nery Soriano and Hafiz M. N. Iqbal
Mar. Drugs 2021, 19(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/md19010010 - 29 Dec 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4636
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease with a prevalence rate of up to 1% and is significantly considered a common worldwide public health concern. Commercially, several traditional formulations are available to treat RA to some extent. However, these synthetic compounds [...] Read more.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease with a prevalence rate of up to 1% and is significantly considered a common worldwide public health concern. Commercially, several traditional formulations are available to treat RA to some extent. However, these synthetic compounds exert toxicity and considerable side effects even at lower therapeutic concentrations. Considering the above-mentioned critiques, research is underway around the world in finding and exploiting potential alternatives. For instance, marine-derived biologically active compounds have gained much interest and are thus being extensively utilized to confront the confines of in practice counterparts, which have become ineffective for 21st-century medical settings. The utilization of naturally available bioactive compounds and their derivatives can minimize these synthetic compounds’ problems to treat RA. Several marine-derived compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can be effectively used for therapeutic purposes against RA. The results of several studies ensured that the extraction of biologically active compounds from marine sources could provide a new and safe source for drug development against RA. Finally, current challenges, gaps, and future perspectives have been included in this review. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and New Perspectives in Marine Biotechnology 2.0)
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28 pages, 2454 KiB  
Review
Chemically Diverse and Biologically Active Secondary Metabolites from Marine Phylum chlorophyta
by Sayed Asmat Ali Shah, Syed Shams ul Hassan, Simona Bungau, Yongsheng Si, Haiwei Xu, Md. Habibur Rahman, Tapan Behl, Daniela Gitea, Flavia-Maria Pavel, Raluca Anca Corb Aron, Bianca Pasca and Sebastian Nemeth
Mar. Drugs 2020, 18(10), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/md18100493 - 26 Sep 2020
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 7062
Abstract
For a long time, algal chemistry from terrestrial to marine or freshwater bodies, especially chlorophytes, has fascinated numerous investigators to develop new drugs in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. As such, chlorophytes comprise a diverse structural class of secondary metabolites, having functional groups [...] Read more.
For a long time, algal chemistry from terrestrial to marine or freshwater bodies, especially chlorophytes, has fascinated numerous investigators to develop new drugs in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. As such, chlorophytes comprise a diverse structural class of secondary metabolites, having functional groups that are specific to a particular source. All bioactive compounds of chlorophyte are of great interest due to their supplemental/nutritional/pharmacological activities. In this review, a detailed description of the chemical diversity of compounds encompassing alkaloids, terpenes, steroids, fatty acids and glycerides, their subclasses and their structures are discussed. These promising natural products have efficiency in developing new drugs necessary in the treatment of various deadly pathologies (cancer, HIV, SARS-CoV-2, several inflammations, etc.). Marine chlorophyte, therefore, is portrayed as a pivotal treasure in the case of drugs having marine provenience. It is a domain of research expected to probe novel pharmaceutically or nutraceutically important secondary metabolites resulting from marine Chlorophyta. In this regard, our review aims to compile the isolated secondary metabolites having diverse chemical structures from chlorophytes (like Caulerpa ssp., Ulva ssp., Tydemania ssp., Penicillus ssp., Codium ssp., Capsosiphon ssp., Avrainvillea ssp.), their biological properties, applications and possible mode of action. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and New Perspectives in Marine Biotechnology 2.0)
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