Project description:This study provides a first large-scale cloning and characterization of Porphyra miRNAs and their predicted targets. These miRNAs belong to 224 conserved miRNA families and 7 are novel in Porphyra. These miRNAs add to the growing database of new miRNA and lay the foundation for further understanding of miRNA function in the regulation of Porphyra yezoensis development.
Project description:This study provides a first large-scale cloning and characterization of Porphyra miRNAs and their predicted targets. These miRNAs belong to 224 conserved miRNA families and 7 are novel in Porphyra. These miRNAs add to the growing database of new miRNA and lay the foundation for further understanding of miRNA function in the regulation of Porphyra yezoensis development. We constructed a small RNA library from Porphyra yezoensis.
Project description:This study investigated the specific and differential gene expression in human immature DCs (iDCs) in response to treatment with a butanol fraction containing defined bioactive phytocompounds extracted from stems and leaves of Echinacea purpurea
Project description:Porphyra/Pyropia seaweeds are promising sources for functional foods development, offering a rich macro- and micronutrient profiles. In New Zealand (NZ), endemic Porphyra/Pyropia species (karengo), exhibit considerable variability driven by geography, seasonality, and climate, which may influence their nutritional quality. Despite their use as traditional foods, the NZ Porphyra/Pyropia remain underutilized commercially, in part due to the lack of biomolecular characterisation, particularly their bioactive protein components, hindering evidence-based species selection for seaweed farming commercialisation and functional food development. This study presents the first proteomic characterization of three NZ Porphyra/Pyropia species: Pyropia virididentata, Pyropia cinnamomea, and Porphyra GRB complex. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis identified differences in the phycobiliprotein composition among the species, with the Porphyra GRB complex containing higher levels of phycocyanin. Using the protein sequence information, in silico gastrointestinal digestion analysis predicted that phycobiliproteins from NZ Porphyra/Pyropia seaweeds can potentially release bioactive peptides capable of inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) activities. Sequence-based allergenicity prediction indicated possible cross-reactivity between NZ Porphyra/Pyropia β-phycoerythrin and β-phycocyanin against the β-phycocyanin allergen from spirulina, which is associated with a low incidence of allergy. Proximate analysis revealed that NZ Porphyra/Pyropia seaweeds have high protein (26–30.2 %) and carbohydrate (48.3–50.9 %) contents, and low fat and free sugar levels. Amino acid profiling further showed that NZ Porphyra/Pyropia seaweeds are relatively rich in sulphur-containing amino acids and umami-associated amino acids. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of NZ Porphyra/Pyropia seaweeds as a novel plant-based protein source for functional food applications.
