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Variations of chemical composition and energy content in natural and genetically defined cultivars of Macrocystis from Chile

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Abstract

Seasonal and intra-thallus variations of energy content and chemical composition were assessed in an intertidal population of Macrocystis in southern Chile. Phylloid protein and lipid from cultured material were compared with seasonal variation in native Macrocystis. Furthermore, populations in northern and southern Chile and Falkland Islands were compared with various intra-/inter-cultivar genotypes of Chilean Macrocystis. Energetic values did not show seasonal or intra-thallus variations, with the exception of pneumatocysts, which had high levels of ash (49.9% DW) and low values of total energy (8.3% DW). Seasonal patterns were detected in protein and carbohydrate composition, with opposite trends. Likewise, holdfasts contained high amounts of protein (21.0% DW), and phylloids were high in soluble carbohydrates (4.5% DW). Lipids instead showed two peaks per year in an intertidal population and reached up to 0.4% DW. Alginic acid was the major organic compound in intertidal Macrocystis (46.8% DW), with differences on seasonal and intra-thallus levels. Mannitol content, in contrast, was erratic and lower than in other Laminariales (<5% DW). In general, protein and lipid content in our cultivars were 20% higher than in natural populations. Our experimental results indicate the possibility to manipulate the chemical composition of Macrocystis thalli through inter-/intra-specific crosses. This will be a basis, upon which selected genotypes can open new perspectives to Macrocystis mariculture industries in Chile.

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Acknowledgments

This work was partially founded by Volkswagen Foundation (Germany), International Foundation for Sciences (Sweden), Dirección de Investigación y Desarrollo UACh (Chile), and FONDEF de Conicyt (D00I1144 and D04I1288 grants, Chile). We thank F. Bascur and C. Atero for field assistance and support by Hagua and Hidrocultivos companies in mariculture installations. Finally, helpful suggestions from two anonymous reviewers are acknowledged also.

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  1. Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Sede Puerto Montt, Casilla 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile

    Renato Westermeier, Pedro Murúa, David J. Patiño, Liliana Muñoz & Ailin Ruiz

  2. Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany

    Dieter G. Müller

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  1. Renato Westermeier
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  2. Pedro Murúa
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Correspondence to Renato Westermeier.

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Westermeier, R., Murúa, P., Patiño, D.J. et al. Variations of chemical composition and energy content in natural and genetically defined cultivars of Macrocystis from Chile. J Appl Phycol 24, 1191–1201 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-011-9752-6

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