Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
11:55
Streamlined Sampling and Cultivation of the Pelagic Cosmopolitan Larvacean, Oikopleura dioica
Published on: June 16, 2020
8.8K
Wild or Reared? Cassiopea andromeda Jellyfish as a Potential Biofactory
Stefania De Domenico1,2, Andrea Toso2,3, Gianluca De Rinaldis1,4
1Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari, (CNR-ISPA)-Lecce, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
Marine Drugs
|January 24, 2025
Summary
Rearing the jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda in labs yields extracts with higher antioxidant activity than wild specimens. This suggests sustainable aquaculture for valuable bioactive compounds in food and pharmaceuticals.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The invasive jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda is becoming more prevalent in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Zooxanthellate jellyfish host symbiotic dinoflagellates, potentially producing valuable compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Cassiopea andromeda as a source of bioactive compounds.
- To compare the biochemical composition and antioxidant activity of wild versus laboratory-reared jellyfish.
Main Methods:
- Collected and reared Cassiopea andromeda specimens.
- Performed standardized extractions to analyze protein, lipid, pigment, and zooxanthellae content.
- Assessed in vitro antioxidant activity of jellyfish extracts and fractions.
Main Results:
- Laboratory-reared jellyfish exhibited higher biomass, zooxanthellae density, and different lipid profiles compared to wild specimens.
- Hydroalcoholic extracts from reared jellyfish showed significantly greater antioxidant activity.
- Differences in bioactive compound content were observed between wild and reared populations.
Conclusions:
- Controlled cultivation of Cassiopea andromeda can enhance its potential as a source of bioactive compounds.
- This holobiont represents a promising candidate for sustainable aquaculture for the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.
Keywords:
Cassiopea andromedaantioxidantfarmingfatty acidsholobiontpigmentssustainable productionzooxanthellaeMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
00:46Bioremediation
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
01:28Overview of Algae
The kingdom Archaeplastida encompasses red and green algae, along with land plants. Unlike other protists with chloroplasts that arose through secondary endosymbiosis, only red and green algae originated from primary endosymbiotic events. This diverse group of eukaryotic organisms contains chlorophyll and performs oxygenic photosynthesis.Algae exist in various forms, from large brown kelp in coastal waters to green scum in puddles and stains on rocks or soil. Some species are responsible for...
01:23Red Algae
Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...
01:21Green Algae
Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...
01:19Other Algae
The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...
01:29Bioreactor Design and Operational System
Bioreactors are engineered vessels designed to cultivate microorganisms under controlled conditions for industrial bioprocessing. They maintain sterility and allow precise regulation of pH, temperature, oxygen, and nutrient levels to optimize microbial growth and metabolite production. Bioreactors range from small laboratory units of 1 liter to industrial systems holding up to 500,000 liters, though only about 75% of their volume is actively used for fermentation. The remaining headspace...