B2E Technological Sonar Initiative #22
In the vast horizons of the oceans, a world of opportunities and challenges are being unveiled through innovative research that unites artificial intelligence, marine biotechnology and the desire to improve human health and environmental sustainability. From coastal waters to the depths of scientific knowledge, scientists, entrepreneurs and visionaries are exploring ways to combat algae outbreaks, develop cancer treatments, create alternatives to traditional aquatic food and slow down ocean acidification. In this scenario, Artificial Intelligence serves as a beacon for the early detection of problems and the creation of innovative solutions. From the risk of algal blooms to the promise of micro-proteins, the fusion of technology and marine biology is leading humanity into a new chapter of transformative discoveries and actions.
AQUACULTURE
Using AI to tackle harmful algal blooms
Jason Deglint, founder of Blue Lion Labs, explains how artificial intelligence (AI) can provide an early warning system for possible outbreaks of algae in aquaculture. During his systems design engineering PhD at University of Waterloo, one of the top institutes for AI and robotics innovation in North America, Deglint (CEO) founded Blue Lion Labs by creating a method to combine low-cost microscopic imagery with machine learning to identify microscopic organisms in water.
TheFishSite
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Genetic Identification and Traceability of Insect Meals
Insects have been proposed as a rich alternative source of protein for the partial or total replacement of fishmeal in aquaculture. For maximum safety and effectiveness of insect meals, control of the quality composition of these products is considered mandatory. The aim of this study was the genetic analysis of the composition of commercially available insect meals at the species level. Commercially available Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio molitor and Musca domestica individuals, as well as nine insect meals produced from these species, were analyzed. The genetic identification of insects at the species level was based on a COI fragment. The used methodology, herein, allows for the qualitative genetic identification of insect meals and could be included in the methods of traceability of products containing insects and other animal species.
NCBI
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LIVING MARINE RESOURCES
Innovative Eco-Friendly Microwave-Assisted Rapid Biosynthesis of Ag/AgCl-NPs Coated with Algae Bloom Extract as Multi-Functional Biomaterials with Non-Toxic Effects on Normal Human Cells
Harmful algal blooms impact human welfare and are a global concern. Sargassum spp., a type of algae or seaweed that can potentially bloom in certain regions of the sea around Thailand, exhibits a noteworthy electron capacity as the sole reducing and stabilizing agent, which suggests its potential for mediating nanoparticle composites. This study proposes an eco-friendly microwave-assisted biosynthesis (MAS) method to fabricate silver nanoparticles coated with Sargassum aqueous extract (Ag/AgCl-NPs-ME).
NCBI
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Marine-derived sea urchin compounds as potential anti-cancer drug candidate against colorectal cancer: In silico and in vitro studies
Sea urchin-derived compounds are potential candidates for the development of effective drugs for the treatment of cancer diseases. In this study, 19 compounds derived from sea urchin (Diadema savignyi) were used to treat colorectal cancer using the HCT116 cell line. The molecular docking, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), toxicity, Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulation, and Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) were used to confirm the ligand-protein interaction. Interactions of Importin-11 receptor with sea urchin compounds reveal that four compounds have higher binding affinities (ranging from -8.6 to -7.1 kcal/mol). In vitro testing revealed that the CID 6432458 compound was effective (docking score of -8.6 kcal/mol) against the HCT116 cell line.
NCBI
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Combining algal raceway pond culture and seawater electrolysis for ocean deacidification
The invention discloses a method for de-acidification of the oceans that combines the cultivation of algae in a series of raceway tanks with the electrolysis of hypersaline water. The tanks are connected to each other and arranged in phases including a growth phase and a harvesting phase. The hypersaline water is electrolyzed to produce mineral acids that are added to the growth phase tanks, resulting in a general increase of the pH (≥ 8,4) from the water in the harvest phase tanks. In addition, supplementation with mineral acids results in a more efficient removal of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from the mariculture, which advantageously translates into an improved algal biomass production rate and therefore increased carbon sequestration.
Espacenet
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MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
Sustainable mixotrophic microalgae refinery of astaxanthin and lipid from Chlorella zofingiensis
Microalgal astaxanthin possesses numerous bioactivities and has several health applications. The current research focuses on designing and optimizing the two-stage mixotrophic bioprocess by Chlorella zofingiensis for astaxanthin production. Gradual increase in light intensity (4-8k-lux) and 3x micronutrient concentration were the key parameters for maximizing biomass yield of 2.5 g/L during 15 days of stage I. Furthermore, stress conditions (excessive CO2, light, salinity, etc.) enhanced astaxanthin yield at stage II. This astaxanthin bioprocess resulted in enhanced lipid yields of 35-37%, which could be used for biodiesel. This study shows promising scale-up potential with attractive sustainability features of C. zofingiensis model for commercial astaxanthin-lipid biorefinery.
NCBI
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F3 Krill Replacement Challenge: The power of mycoprotein
The F3 Krill Replacement Challenge hosted by the F3-Future of Fish Feed looks for a replacement for krill that does not contain fishmeal, fish oil, krill or other wild.caught marina ingredientes. One of the regristrants of the challenge is Finland-based enifer Bio which developed a mycoprotein for animal feeds that aims to replace krill meal in aquafeeds. “Our product Pekilo P65, has high crude protein (65%), and 10% of growth boosting nucleotides. In addition, it has 15% of immunostimulating fungal beta-glucan”, Heikki Keskitalo, business development manager, Enifer Bio, told Aquafeed.com. Pekilo protein is produced by fermentation from industrial side streams. The product was already tested on Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout.
Aquafeed
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