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Biochemical Characterization of Cassiopea andromeda (Forsskål, 1775), Another Red Sea Jellyfish in the Western Mediterranean Sea

TitleBiochemical Characterization of Cassiopea andromeda (Forsskål, 1775), Another Red Sea Jellyfish in the Western Mediterranean Sea
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsDe Rinaldis, Gianluca, Leone Antonella, De Domenico Stefania, Bosch-Belmar Mar, Slizyte Rasa, Milisenda Giacomo, Santucci Annalisa, Albano Clara, and Piraino Stefano
JournalMarine Drugs
Volume19
Issue9
Pagination498
Date PublishedJan-09-2021
Keywordsalien species, antioxidant activity, Antioxidants, bioactive marine compounds, Collagen, Fatty acids, Jellyfish, Nutraceuticals, zooxanthellate jellyfish
Abstract

Increasing frequency of native jellyfish proliferations and massive appearance of non-indigenous jellyfish species recently concur to impact Mediterranean coastal ecosystems and human activities at sea. Nonetheless, jellyfish biomass may represent an exploitable novel resource to coastal communities, with reference to its potential use in the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and nutraceutical Blue Growth sectors. The zooxanthellate jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda, Forsskål, 1775 (Cnidaria, Rhizostomeae) entered the Levant Sea through the Suez Canal and spread towards the Western Mediterranean to reach Malta, Tunisia, and recently also the Italian coasts. Here we report on the biochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of C. andromeda specimens with a discussion on their relative biological activities. The biochemical characterization of the aqueous (PBS) and hydroalcoholic (80% ethanol) soluble components of C. andromeda were performed for whole jellyfish, as well as separately for umbrella and oral arms. The insoluble components were hydrolyzed by sequential enzymatic digestion with pepsin and collagenase. The composition and antioxidant activity of the insoluble and enzymatically digestible fractions were not affected by the pre-extraction types, resulting into collagen- and non-collagen-derived peptides with antioxidant activity. Both soluble compounds and hydrolyzed fractions were characterized for the content of proteins, phenolic compounds, and lipids. The presence of compounds coming from the endosymbiont zooxanthellae was also detected. The notable yield and the considerable antioxidant activity detected make this species worthy of further study for its potential biotechnological sustainable exploitation.

URLhttps://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/19/9/498
DOI10.3390/md19090498
Short TitleMarine Drugs
Citation Key12879