Tag: Contaminants

Reports

Ecological impact on bioactive chemicals in brown seaweeds and their utilization

Published:

01/09/2015

Authors:

Rósa Jónsdóttir, Ásta Heiðrún Pétursdóttir, Halldór Benediktsson, Hilma B. Eiðsdóttir, Karl Gunnarsson, Jóna Freysdóttir

Supported by:

Fisheries Project Fund

Contact

Rósa Jónsdóttir

Research Group Leader

rosa.jonsdottir@matis.is

Ecological impact on bioactive chemicals in brown seaweeds and their utilization

The aim of the project was to investigate the effects of environmental factors on the amount and bioactivity of polyphenols and polysaccharides in seaweed and kelp. The aim was to increase knowledge of the ecology and chemistry of these species for more efficient isolation of biological substances, their further analysis and utilization for bioactivity measurements. Samples of seaweed, marine core, pimples and claw seaweed were taken at three locations in the country; in the northern part of Reykjanes, in Breiðafjörður and Eskifjörður, a total of six times a year, from March to June, in August and October. A method was developed to isolate fucoidan and laminaran polysaccharides from bubble seaweed and claw seaweed. Total polyphenols were measured in all samples but bioactivity in selected samples. In addition, heavy metals and iodine were measured in selected samples. The amount of polyphenols was high in smallpox and seaweed, but low in marine nuclei and gillnets. Antioxidant activity, measured as ORAC and in the cellular system, was high in the samples containing high levels of polyphenols. Seaweed and seaweed showed anti-inflammatory activity. The results of the project significantly increase knowledge in the field of utilization of seaweed and kelp. They are useful in the development of seaweed processing for human consumption that is currently underway.

The aim of the project was to study the effect of environmental factors on polyphenols and polysaccharides in seaweed. Thereby be able to better recognize the ecology and chemistry of these species for more efficient isolation of the biochemical, their further analysis and utilization in bioactive measurements. Samples of Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta, Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus were collected at three different locations, Reykjanes, Breiðafjörður and Eskifjörður, from March to October, in total six times. Method to isolate fucoidan and laminaran polysaccharides was developed. Total polyphenol content (TPC) was measured in all samples and bioactivity in selected samples. In addition, contaminants and iodine were analyzed in selected samples. The TPC was high in F. vesiculosus and A. nodosum but rather low in A. esculenta and S. latissima. The antioxidant acitivty, measured as ORAC value and in cells, was high in samples containing high amount of TPC. F. vesiculosus and A. esculenta had anti-inflammatory properties. The results of the project have increased the knowledge about the utilization of seaweed in Iceland substantially.

Report closed until 31.12.2017

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Reports

Utilization and composition of lumpfish

Published:

01/02/2012

Authors:

Ólafur Reykdal, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Gunnar Þórðarson

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund

Contact

Ólafur Reykdal

Project Manager

olafur.reykdal@matis.is

Utilization and composition of lumpfish

The results published in this report are part of the project Improved utilization of roe products. In the 2011 season, samples were taken from grayling caught in Húnaflói, Skagafjörður and Skjálfandi. Samples of gutted grayling were also obtained from two companies. The grayling was cut into five parts and individual parts were weighed. The average fillet utilization was 14% of total weight, eggs were 30%, liver 3%, spine 6%, beat 6% and whale along with head and tail 40%. Greenland halibut fillets were high in fat (8-18 g / 100g) but low in protein (8-9 g / 100g). The wave, on the other hand, was low in fat. Roe were particularly selenium-rich, but the heavy metals mercury, cadmium and lead were not measurable.  

Results in this report are part of the project Increasing utilization of lumpfish. Sampling was carried out in March to June 2011 in Húnaflói, Skagafjörður and Skjálfandi. Samples were also obtained from two companies. The lumpfish were cut into five parts and the parts were weighed. Fillets were 14% of lumpfish weight, roe were 30%, liver 3%, spine 6%, viscera 6% and skin together with head and tail 40%. Fillets were rich in fat (8‐18 g / 100g) but low in proteins (8‐9 g / 100g). The skin was however low in fat. Roe were very rich in selenium but the heavy metals mercury, cadmium and lead were below the quantification limits.

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Reports

Nordic information and communication network regarding safety of seafood products. Final Report

Published:

01/03/2007

Authors:

Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir, Björn Auðunsson

Supported by:

NSK (Strategy Reserve), NEF (Nordic Officials' Committee for Fisheries Policy), IFL

Nordic information and communication network regarding safety of seafood products. Final Report

This report is the final report in the Nordic information and communication network project regarding the safety of seafood products, which began in 2005 and was formally completed at the end of 2006. The project developed a joint Nordic website (www.seafoodnet.info) which gathers in one place relevant links containing information on the chemical content of marine products, both undesirable substances and also nutrients. Iceland (first the Fisheries Research Institute and then Matís ohf) was responsible for developing the website and maintaining it, but each country is responsible for its information and for updating it. The project was formally completed at the end of 2006, when the website had just been moved to a new content management system, Eplica, which simplifies all web management and also makes it easier for visitors to find the content they are looking for. It is hoped that these will enable the web to stay "alive" with little effort and cost.

This report is the final report in a Nordic project called “Nordic information and communication network regarding safety of seafood products and utilization of the resources from the sea”. The report contains a summary of the activities in the projects after the 2nd workshop in the project, which was held in Copenhagen, Denmark on April 21st 2006 until the project formally ended at the end of 2006. During this period the website was transferred into a new web content management system called Eplica product suite, which makes administering much easier than in the earlier version and accessing the website much more user-friendly. This was done in accordance with agreements reached at the workshop in Copenhagen. Although the project has formally ended, it is hoped that the seafoodnet.info website will continue to live for some time to come, as a common database or co-ordination of information and reporting of chemical substances, ie nutrients and undesirable substances in seafood. Furthermore, it was hoped that the project would be a cornerstone for further networking and innovative transnational research with the participation of scientists in the Nordic countries and EU.

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