Simultaneous determination of nine phytohormones in seaweed and algae extracts by HPLC-PDA.

An RP-HPLC-PDA method for the simultaneous analysis of 9 compounds deriving from the phytohormones class was developed and optimized, namely indoleacetic acid (IAA), indolebutyric acid (IBA), phenyleacetic acid (PAA), naphtyleacetic acid (NAA), trans-zeatin (TZ), kinetin (KA), isopentenyladenine (IA), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Validation of the method was performed on the SFE-CO2 extract made out of the mixture of Baltic algae. The regression coefficients for plant hormones were in the range from 0.997 to 0.999. The LOD and LOQ were on the levels from 0.05–0.29 and 0.15–0.88 mg/L, respectively. Developed method was used for the separation and determination plant ho…

The Biomass of Algae and Algal Extracts in Agricultural Production

Fertilizers and plant growth regulators (PGRs) based on seaweeds are commonly known, having been produced and utilized for dozens of years. Algae are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and chemical compounds that belong mainly to the following groups: polysaccharides, polyphenols, phlorotannins, plant pigments, unsaturated fatty acids, sterols and plant hormones.

Supercritical Algal Extracts: A Source of Biologically Active Compounds from Nature

The paper discusses the potential applicability of the process of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) in the production of algal extracts with the consideration of the process conditions and yields. State of the art in the research on solvent-free isolation of biologically active compounds from the biomass of algae was presented. Various aspects related with the properties of useful compounds found in cells of microalgae and macroalgae were discussed, including their potential applications as the natural components of plant protection products (biostimulants and bioregulators), dietary feed and food supplements, and pharmaceuticals. Analytical methods of determination of the natural compou…

Supercritical fluid extraction of algae enhances levels of biologically active compounds promoting plant growth

The aim of this research was to screen plant growth biostimulant properties of supercritical CO2 macroalgal extracts. To this end secondary metabolites were isolated from the biomass of marine macroalgae from the Baltic Sea (species of Polysiphonia, Ulva and Cladophora). Chemical characteristics of the algal extracts were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy for inorganic constituents and high-performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry for organic constituents. Inorganic (macro- and microelements) and organic (plant hormones: auxins and cytokinins; polyphenols) compounds were detected in the extract. Algal extracts were tested primarily on garde…

Algae and Their Extracts in Medical Treatment

Scientific efforts undertaken in recent decades have undoubtedly proven that algae are an inestimable and, what is more, important renewable source of hundreds of chemical compounds characterized by a wide spectrum of biological activity. Polysaccharides, phenolic compounds and their derivatives, pigments, proteins, lipids, and fatty acids are the substances that can be isolated from seaweeds, possessing antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, antilipidemic, antitumor, antidiabetic, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and antiallergic properties, which can be successfully utilized for human needs. The majority of attention has been focused on marine polysaccharides and their application in medicine a…

Presence of plant hormones in composts made from organic fraction of municipal solid waste

Composting is a process of the biological decomposition of organic matter under aerobic conditions. Composts made from waste may still contain other substances that influence plant growth and development, such as vitamins or plant growth substances (plant hormones). Application of products containing phytohormones has an effect on numerous physiological processes in plants. Among observable results are: improved condition of the root system, increased absorption of nutrients, improved stress and disease resistance and delayed aging. The purpose of the research was to analyse the occurrence of plant hormones in mature composts made from selectively collected organic fraction of household mun…

Valuable natural products from marine and freshwater macroalgae obtained from supercritical fluid extracts

The biologically active compounds (fatty acids, pigments, phenolics, and flavonoid content) were studied in supercritical fluid extracts from the biomass of marine (Ulva clathrata, Cladophora glomerata, Polysiphonia fucoides, and their multi-species mixture) and freshwater (C. glomerata) macroalgae. Different extraction techniques were used in order to compare differences in the biologically active compound composition of the macroalgal extracts. The results indicated that the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids ranged from C9:0 to C22:0. The analysis of differences in the composition of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids in extracts showed that palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18…

Biologically Active Organic Compounds, Especially Plant Promoters, in Algae Extracts and Their Potential Application in Plant Cultivation