Fatty acids (FA) are important nutritional substances and metabolites in living organism. Degenerative diseases related to inappropriate FAs consumption cause the two thirds cases of the population death who are living in affluent, industrialized nations. Marine algae represent a considerable part of the littoral biomass. Many algal species have long been used as human food, animal fodder and source of valuable substances. In addition, algal species are of interest from the pharmaceutical point of view. Marine algae are rich in essential fatty acids (FAs) especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as Omega-3(n-3 seri) and Omega-6 (n-6 seri), which are important in the nutrition of humans and animals. Because of high n-3 content, the n-6/n-3 ratio in macroalgae is lower than 10 which is congruent with WHO nutritional recommendations. Al-though each member of marine macrophytic algae has its characteristic FA pattern, but up to now, only a limited numbers of algal species have been investigated for their FAs composition. Hence, the objective of this review study is to explain briefly the FAs content and composition in some investigated marine macroalgae and also to assess the potential of some members of three phylum macroalgae, green (Chlorophyta), Brown (Phaeophyta) and red (Rhodophyta), as the sources of FAs especially PUFAs and very long chain PUFAs (VLCPUFAs) and their beneficial effects to cure and remedy some of the human diseases.

Industrial usage of different macroalgae has grown exponentially during the last decade. Nutritional applications for human feeding and multiple therapeutic are their main important exploitation. This study aimed to investigate the biological activities of the organic, water and ethyl acetate fractions of two brown algae Polycladia myrica and Padina sp., collected from the coast of Qeshm Island. In this experimental study, for identification of the superior species, the tested biological activities included antioxidant assay at gradient concentrations by ferric reducing power assay, FRAP, inhibition free radicals DPPH and ABTS, total phenolic and phlorotannins content, and antibacterial assay by disk diffusion. The more effective algal fractions by maximum antioxidant capacity in all tested methods were recorded for ethyl acetate fractions in both macroalgae. Only ethyl acetate fraction of Padina sp. had an antibacterial effect on all studied strains. Both brown algae, Polycladia myrica and Padina sp., had antioxidant and antibacterial activities, but Padina sp. due to the high amount of phenol and phlorotannins and high antioxidant and antibacterial power can be introduced as a priority species for biological properties.

Nanoparticle biosynthesis is considered an important part of nanotechnology which is economically viable; it is an environmentally-friendly procedure with great advantages compared to physical and chemical ones. In the present study, a green approach is presented for the first time for producing alpha aluminum oxide nanoparticles using Sargassum ilicifolium algae in which its methanolic algae extract was employed as a reducing agent and stabilizer layer. Under optimal conditions of 25º C and pH=4, 10% of algae extract concentration and 0. 05M Al2(SO4)3 salt, aluminum cations were reduced completely to nanoscale phase within 24 hours. XRD technique confirms the formation of alpha aluminum oxide size 35 nanometers in a hexagon shape. The results of TEM confirms the spherical almost shape of the produced nanoparticle, the results of SEM shows the average size 33. 40 of the nanoparticle, and the results of EDX indicated the purity of the produced nanoparticle which is formed of only oxygen and aluminum atoms.

In this research, identification and biomass of macroalgae in Jofreh, Naftkesh, Daneshjo, Lian sights in Bushehr Province in winter 1388 (2010) at low, mid and high intertidal zone have been studied. Sampling was done randomly with 0.5 m2 quadrate. Totally 9 genera of green, red and brown macro algae were recognized. Maximum and minimum biomass of algae belonged to brown and green algae with 2166/7and 687g/m2, respectively. The green algae Codium, sp., Chaetomorpha, sp., Chatomotpha gracilis and the red algae Hypnea sp., Gracillaria, sp., Laurencia,sp., Gracillara corticata, Laurencia papillosa and Laurencia obtuse, also 6 brown algae including Sargassum sp., Padina sp., Colpomenia sp., Cystoseria sp., Colpomenia sinuosa and Cystoseria fimbriata, were recognized.

Three main groups of macroalgae have been studied along 4 transects in Kish Island. Sampling were carried out during highest tidal time, bimonthly for one year. All sampling were made by applying quadrates (0.5xO.5m) randomly along the intertidal zone. The collected specimen were identified and their frequency and biomass were determined. Statistical results showed that Rizocolunium impelexum had the most frequency within green algae. Also, the most abundance occured in the first transect (Saffain), in the upper mid littoral zone (U.M.L) and during the first collection (March). Among the brown algae Cystoseira myrica had the most abundance in the first transect and medium mid-littoral (M.M.L.) in the fourth collection (September). Champia Japonica (red algae), had the most abundance compared to the other 13 species in the first transect and in medium mid- littoral regions (M.M.L). From the obtained information that in the first transect were located in the domestic sewage efluent region, the diversity and abundance of chlorophyta were the most. This can be due to existence and abundance of elements and nutrients. With the observation in the second transect (south western), algal species diversity especially brown and red algae were very high.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, the characteristics of bio-oil samples produced through slow pyrolysis of two different macroalgae, i. e. Azolla filiculoides and Ulva fasciata, at optimized conditions were determined and compared. METHODS: For this purpose, the effects of temperature (300-500 °, C), carrier gas flow rate (0. 2-0. 8 L/min), and heating rate (10-20 °, C/min) on the final bio-oil production were optimized using response surface methodology established by a central composite design. FINDINGS: The highest bio-oil yield from U. fasciata (34. 29%) was obtained at the temperature of 500 °, C, nitrogen flow rate of 0. 2 L/min, and heating rate of 10 °, C/min. As for A. filiculoides feedstock, the highest bio-oil yield (30. 83%) was achieved at the temperature of 461 °, C, nitrogen flow rate of 0. 5 L/min, and heating rate of 20 °, C/min. Both bio-oil samples contained saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. However, the average hydrocarbon chain length was relatively shorter in U. fasciata bio-oil (C4-C16) than in bio-oil from A. filiculoides (C6-C24). Although both bio-oils had almost identical heating values, the U. fasciata bio-oil showed more appropriate properties, i. e. lower viscosity and density. Furthermore, the energy recovery from U. fasciata pyrolysis was calculated as 56. 6% which was almost 1. 5 times higher than the energy recovery from A. filiculoides pyrolysis. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that U. fasciata bio-oil, with its superior characteristics, could be proposed as a promising candidate for application in dieselbased automotive industries.