دکتر غلامحسین محبی

One of the most important applications of biotechnology in the food industry is the production of various additives. Among the additives produced by biotechnology method is the production of exopolysaccharides produced by bacteria in dairy products.Diversity in the structure and chemical composition of microbial exopolysaccharides has made them superior to animal and plant polymers. Due to these cases, these compounds can be used as food additives with health effects. In the present study, Bacillus bacteria producing exopolysaccharides were isolated from the soils of desert areas and then, the structural and functional groups of exopolysaccharides were identified using FT-IR method. The presence of peaks in the frequency range 400-4000 (cm-1)indicates the polysaccharide and purity of the extracted material. Then, their effects on the quality of yogurt were investigated. Based on the results, the quality of yogurt samples containing exopolysaccharide of bacteria K, C, B, A and E significantly increased compared to the control group that did not contain exopolysaccharide.Exopolysaccharide from E bacterium significantly reduced hydration compared to other samples and control samples and also significantly increased the viscosity and water holding capacity and consistency of yogurt. Finally, based on the 16S rDNA sequence, the bacterium whose exopolysaccharide had the greatest effect on improving the quality of yogurt, Bacillus wiedmannii strain HBUM207173 was identified.

Some algae are rich sources of various beneficial lipids and fatty acids. In recent years, several studies have been performed on algae to evaluate the effect of different salinity treatments on the quantity and quality of these lipids. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride on total lipid content, fatty acid profile, and omega-3, 6, and 9 amounts in the alga Sargassum boveanum. Algae samples were collected from the shores of Bushehr Province and kept in three aquariums for 30 days in three control groups and treatments of 1 and 2 g / l sodium chloride. Then their lipid extraction was performed using Bligh and dyer method (1959). The factors of acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), and refractive index (RI) of lipids were determined according to ISO standard methods for numbers 660 (2009), 3960 (2017), and 6320 (2017), respectively. The methylation of the samples was performed according to the standard method of 66-2-AOCS-Ce, and the analysis of fatty acids was performed by gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The amount of fat in the treatment of one gram/liter of salt increased compared to the control group and then showed a decreasing trend in the treatment of two grams per liter; however, this difference was not significant. GC-FID analysis showed 17 types of fatty acids in each group. Among saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, palmitic acid and seronic acid showed the highest levels in all three groups, respectively. A slight increase in salinity caused a change in the values of omega-fatty acids. The findings of this study can be extended to achieve targeted mechanisms and conditions of salinity stress that increase specific fatty acids.

Brittle stars can produce well-known toxins responsible for various of their biological activities in addition to their physical defense. The purpose of this study was to identify secondary metabolites and assess the anticholinesterase activities of the crude venom of the Persian Gulf Ophiocoma erinaceous (brittle star) in vitro and in silico due to the abundance of this marine life on the Persian Gulf coasts and with knowledge of their numerous biological effects.

In this study, after the lyophilization of the brittle star sample, an LD50 test, a test of cholinesterase inhibitory activities, identification of the secondary metabolites, and their in-silico evaluations were performed by, respectively, Spearman-Karber, the Ellman spectroscopic method, Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and computational docking method.

According to the results, the LD50 value of the sample was 6.04±0.13 (mg/kg). The IC50 values related to their Acetylcholinesterase and  Butyrylcholinesterase were 37.925 ±0.055 and 5.388±0.02 (μg/ml), respectively, compared to the galantamine standard. The GC-MS analysis of the sample showed 25 bioactive chemical compositions with different structures, such as alkaloids, terpenes, and steroids. The computational results of the compounds also confirmed the experimental results. Among these, the alkaloidal compound BS4, had the highest affinity for both enzymes.

As for toxicity potency, the brittle star crude venom sample was classified in the highly toxic category. The GC analysis of the crude venom showed various bioactive secondary metabolites with different chemical structures. The experimental and computational results on the anticholinesterase activities of the sample showed that the venom acts as a significant inhibitor of both enzymes. Further studies are required to determine whether the compound BS4 could be a candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Recent trends in the production of functional foods and nutraceutical compounds indicate the important role of bioactive molecules in the treatment of human diseases. In this study, some phytochemical and nutraceutical properties of Ziziphus nummularia fruit extract harvested from the Poshtpar-Dashtestan forests were evaluated.

The antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Ziziphus nummularia fruit extract were studied by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. The secondary metabolites were analyzed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. The antimicrobial activities of the aqueous extracts against gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus; gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi; mold Aspergillus niger and yeast Candida albicans were evaluated using the microdilution method.

The GC-MS analysis of the sample identified 51 chemical compounds with different chemical and bioactive structures, such as alkaloids, terpenes, and steroids. Furthermore, the Ziziphus extract showed significant inhibitory and lethal activities against the microbial strains, with its highest antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans. The presence of antimicrobial compounds detected by GC-MS confirmed the results of the antibacterial activity of the extract.

According to the results, the Ziziphus nummularia extract can be an appropriate terrestrial source of antimicrobial compounds with significant performance against foodborne pathogens. Consistent with the literature, the secondary metabolites from the Ziziphus extract have potential biological and nutraceutical effects which require more laboratory studies.

The Stonefish is believed to be the most venomous, dangerous, and even fatal fish to human and animals that currently known in the worldwide. Their venom apparatus involve 12-13 dorsal ‘hypodermic’, 2 pelvic, and 3 anal spines, which contain venom, excepting the ornate pectoral spines that are not venomous. Venom with some activities contains a mixture of enzyme and non-enzyme proteins, like stonustoxin, trachynilysin, verrucotoxin and Neo verrucotoxin. They act on receptors and ion channels, with various mechanisms; and cause marked local and systemic complications in envenomed animals. Most typical envenomation management protocols consist of initial resuscitation, symptomatic relief with hot water (45ºC) therapy, antivenom for systemic or severe local signs, and surgical removal of spines or other foreign bodies. There were a lot of recommends about use of hot water immersion, early on-site, as a first aid measure. Antibiotics are proposed for deep puncture injuries, due to the high incidence of ulceration, necrosis, and secondary infections. As in everything else, prevention is better than cure; and must wear shoes and step with judgment in stonefish aqueous territories!

Marine algae have become very important in various fields of food, medicine, and cosmetics, due to their unique functional and nutraceutical properties, as well as their amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and trace element contents. This study was aimed to identify the chemical compositions and to determine some physicochemical and nutraceutical properties of the brown algae Sargasom boveanum from the
Bushehr coasts.

The total protein content, amino acid, and fatty acid profiles, as well as chemical compositions, were respectively, determined by Kjeldahl, HPLC-UV, GC-FID, and GC-MS methods.

The total protein content was 12.5%. Among the 17 identified amino acids, the highest amount was related to lysine, followed by glycine and aspartic acid. The essential, semi-essential, and non-essential amino acid levels were 48.1, 24.6, and 27.5%, respectively. Among the 18 identified fatty acids, the palmitic acid, caproic acid, and myristic acid had respectively, the highest values. The results of mass spectrometry showed the presence of 25 compositions from different groups of phenolic, quinoline, isoquinoline, indole, pyrazole, oxadiazole, and pyrrole in the algael extract.

Due to the richness in essential and semi-essential amino acids, beneficial fatty acids, and unique secondary metabolites of the Persian Gulf Sargassum algae, it can be considered as a potential functional food and a perfect nutraceutical package.

Sea lettuce is a kind green alga with scientific name "Ulva lactuca", has many uses in many countries. With Notice to the presence of this alga in the coasts of Bushehr and its ease of propagation and cultivation, we can take advantage of beneficial interest. The objectives of this current study was to determine the amount of total fat, survey the quality and quantity of some physicochemical parameters and the profile of fatty acids in its oil.
After samples collecting of sea lettuce (Sea lettuce) from Bushehr coasts, sample preparation and extraction of fat, quantity of some physicochemical parameters according to AOAC method; and fatty acid profile were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID).
The acidity index in extracted oil in Shoraye-shahr, Bandargah and Naftkesh regions were, 0.73, 0.73 and 0.72 respectively, and the peroxide value was 0.75, 0.74 and 0.75 respectively. The refractive index and average oil contents for all areas were reported 3 % and 1412, respectively. In the three mentioned regions, sixteen fatty acids including (C6), (C10), (C12), (C13), (C14), (C15), (C16), (C17), (C18), (C19), (C20), (C21), (C18: 1), (C18: 2), (C18: 3) were identified with different amounts. Palmitic acid had the highest levels in all three regions.
Sea lettuce contains different fatty acids that each of them has different applications in food industry, medicine and cosmetics. The favorable amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the sea lettuce oil increase their nutritional importance. Caltivating of this beneficial alga is suggested due to the appropriate geographic climate of Bushehr.

Stingrays belong to Chondrichthyes class.They live in freshwaters and oceans all over the world. They have venomous spines next to the root of the tail. Their barbed stingers covered with secretory cells that cause a large number of serious human injuries. In this review, we evaluate the toxinology of these venomous animals.
Some of inoculated venom symptoms included the immediate and intense pain, inflammation and skin necrosis, bleeding wounds, acute edema, salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, muscle cramps, tremors, paralysis, dyspnea, cardiovascular collapse, local vasoconstriction, seizures, coma, and rarely death. The venom contains 5-HT, 5-nucleotidase, acetylcholine , phosphodiesterase, proteolytic enzymes against casein, gelatin, and fibrinogen, and several toxins such as cystatins, galectin, peroxiredoxin 6, orpotrin and porflan, and other peptids and proteins including alpha subunit haemoglobin, ganglioside GM2 activator, glutathione s-transferase µ, leukocyte elastase inhibitor, transaldolase, ATP synthase, nucleoside diphosphate kinase and type III intermediate filament. Galectin has a diverse functions including anticoagulant, procoagulant, platelet-modulating, myotoxic and haemagglutination activities. Cystatins are potent inhibitors of cysteine proteinases, including papain and the cathepsins. Hydrolysis of lipids through PLA2 activity is one of the most important functions of peroxiredoxin-6. Orpotrin and porflan have vasoconstrictive and inflammatory effects, respectively.
Stingray venoms have different toxins and bioactive molecules with diverse mechanisms of toxicities. A thorough understanding of the toxicities mechanisms and clinical manifestations of stingrays’ venoms will provide the ability to treat effectively and manage injuries with this animals by clinicians and toxinologists.

The sea urchins are classified in the echinoderms category because of their spiny skin. Saponins are the major responsible metabolites for Echinodermata biological activities . As mentioned before, about 80 species of sea urchins are venomous for human. Their spine, pedicellariae, and some other organs such as gonads and coelomic fluids contain different toxins and bioactive compounds. This review study have evaluated toxinology and bioactive compounds from the extracts, and treatment management of these venomous animals.
Contractin A, echinochrome A, echinometrin, major yolk protein (MYP), centrocins (I, II(, cathepsin B/X, strongylostatins (I,II), vitellogenin, UT841 toxin, spinochrome, and pedoxin as the prosthetic group of peditoxin are the most important compounds obtained from these animals.
Some people show poisoning symptoms following the ingestion of sea urchin gonads, especially during the breeding season. Some of these symptoms included allergies symptoms, as the first symptoms, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, epigastric distress, severe headache, swelling of the lips and mouth, salivation, abdominal pain and some systemic symptoms such as hypotension, numbness and weakness. The most injuries by sea urchin can cause by contact to spines, which can create the various complications such as granuloma, synovitis, arthritis, edema, hyperkeratosis and even neuroma. Injuries by pedicellaria may cause severe pain, local edema, bleeding, lethargy, weakness, tingling, joint pain, aphonia, dizziness, syncope, general muscle paralysis, respiratory distress, hypotension and, infrequently death. After the injury by sea urchin, removing the spines and pedicellariae should be done to minimize the contact with the venom source, and subsequently the management of wounds and poisoning symptoms, as quickly as possible.
The venoms of some sea urchins have toxins and bioactive molecules that produce toxicity effects on their victims by a variety of mechanisms. Despite the various studies in toxinology field, on these animals, the comprehensive studies that led to the identification of pure toxins from their crude venoms are handful and unfinished and it is important to do further studies on this field, in the future.

Sea snakes belong to Hydrophiidae family mainly are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the world including the Persian Gulf. Their highly lethal venoms are more potent than snakes with terrestrial origin and contain complex mixtures of organic and inorganic bioactive substances, such as enzyme, and non-enzymatic proteins. There were limited studies on the venoms and toxins of sea snake; hence, the aim of this systematic review was to investigate the toxinological dimensions of sea snakes.
In order to investigate of the toxins of sea snakes, the “Hydrophis schistosus toxin", "Hydrophis cyanocinctus toxin", " Hydrophis lapemoides toxin", "Hydrophis spiralis toxin", and "Lapemis curtus toxin " terms were searched separately, in "PubMed database", in 10/08/2016 which obtained 32, 9, 2, 2 and 4 papers, respectively. The "Hydrophis gracilis toxin" term had no any results. For the “Hydrophis gracilis" term, two studies were obtained. The first one related to the sea snakes phylogenetic characteristics and the second one shared with other search results and well-connected with the issue. Some papers were similar in different searches. Of these, those studies were selected that had direct relevance to the subject .
The main isolated toxins from different sea snakes venoms included three-finger toxin (3FTx (short chain neurotoxins isoforms: AAL54893, AAL54892, ABN54806; long chain neurotoxins isoforms: AAL54894, AAL54895, P68416 , ABN54805), pelamitoxin (P62388), phospholipase A2 (both the basic and acidic PLA2), two phospholipases A2 (PLA2-H1 and H2), cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP), snake venom Zn2+metalloproteinase (SVMP), L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO), 5′-nucleotidase, Hydrophitoxins a, b and c, Hydrophis ornatus a, Hydrophis lapemoides a, PDGF and α- neurotoxins of rSN311, rSN316 and rSN285. Each toxin and protein family presents a wide range of pharmacological activities. Some of these neurotoxins were linked to acetylcholine receptors in the neuromuscular junctions. These toxins showed protease (gelatinase and caseinase) activities, and/or they produce the myonecrosis and biochemical and histopathological changes.
There is scant variability in the venom composition in the same and different species of sea snakes. Our study revealed that there is a rather simple venom profile with an affinity towards a lethal mixture of high abundance of neurotoxins and PLA2s, and lower amounts of toxins such as CRISP, SVMP and LAAO.

Sea cucumbers are belonging to echinoderms and one of the important members of the food chain in temperate ecosystems and tropical coral reefs. The medicinal and nutritional uses of these invertebrates are primordial; and are important as ecological, biological and economic properties. Holothuria Scabra, as one of the most valuable commercial species of sea cucumber in the world, is the dominant species in many Persian Gulf coasts such as the Bushehr province coasts. Conspicuous characteristics such as the use of inexpensive foods in their culture, the rather rapid, easy and low cost growth and reproduction, the possibility of culture with other fish, reduce the organic substrate in pools, the broad tolerance in water factors changes such as salinity and temperature; it has selected them to culture.It seems they are containing the significant amounts of nutrients, especially appreciated fatty acids. Therefore, the aims of the current study are determination of total fat content, quality and quantity evaluations of some physicochemical parameters such as acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), and refractive index (RI) as well as, identify the profile of fatty acids in the fat. In this study, after collecting the 36 samples of sea cucumbers from the coasts of the bushehr province, sample preparation, and extraction of fat, their fatty acids profile were analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The peroxide and the acid values were 0.62±0.0435 and 0.7553±0.0034. The optical refractive index of the oil was 1467 at 26°C, and total fat was also 2%. Among 19 identified fatty acids obtained from the GC analysis of Holothuria Scabra oil, fatty acids: heneicosanoic acid, linoleic acid, palimitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, and Meristic acid, with respectively amounts of 40.81%, 27.5%, 15.24%, 4.73%, 4.46% and 2.38% had the highest values, and other fatty acids were negligible. In a current study, the total amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, were respectively 59.194% and 40.806%. Evaluation of H. Scabra oil revealed that the sea cucumber is a rich source of fatty acids, particularly unusual and rare fatty acids, such as heneicosanoic acid with different uses in pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, and industrial areas. In accordance with the valuable biological effects of heneicosanoic acid such as inhibition of p53; it is recommended some studies such as their anticancer effects; also, because of the adequate geographical conditions at Bushehr, it is proposed the culture of these advantageous animals.

Tunicates are a large group of marine animals; and have been named “tunicate” because of cellosic outer covering called a tunic. They are divided into four major classes of the ascidians, thaliaceans, appendicularians and Sorberacea. Ascidians are the most diverse tunicate group. They are a rich source of secondary metabolites. Alkaloids are the major class of this compounds that mostly, display biological activity. Pyridoacridine alkaloids have a significant biological activities and their main mechanism is DNA cleavage inhibition by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The pyrroloacridine alkaloids are mostly cytotoxic; and also, indole alkaloids have numerous biological properties such as potent antiviral, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity activities. Pyrrole Alkaloids exhibited several biological properties, like strong calmodulin antagonistic, antileukemic, inhibiting Na+/K+ ATPase, activating the octomyosin ATPase, and inducing release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Tunicates are a rich source of peptides, cyclic oligopeptides and depsipeptides such as patellamides, Didemnin, Iodocionin, Apliamides, Halocidin, Dicynthaurin or Clavanin, with significant biological activities. Some compounds extracted from tunicates such as, Glabruquionones, prenylhydroquinone, geranylhydroquinone, Longithorone, scabellones, and conithiaquinones have different structures of linear or cyclic hydroquinone and quinones. They possess a wide range of biological activities as strong anti- tumor, anti-leukemia, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, and selective cytotoxicity properties. Other numerous compounds with unique structures and different biological activities such as Phallusiasterols with modulating the PXR receptor; Lepadins with antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal properties; Coproverdine with cytotoxic and anti-tumor activity; and Ningalin with a strong inhibitory effects on CK1δ, CDK5 and GSK3β kinase, have been extracted from these animals. A large diversity of biological active compoundes from marine tunicates explains this realty that they have a large capacity to search and devalopement new marine medicinal compounds. It is hoped that in the future, marine drugs, have a greater portion in the drugstore shelves.

The date palm cultivation has a long history in Bushehr province. Throughout the recent decade; the dusts, in addition to direct harmful effects on humans, have adverse effects on health of the population living in this area. The infestation of pests in the southern province of Bushehr has groves. Due to the importance of dates in this area, the total ash and acid insoluble ash as indexes for assessing of chemical pollution and also, mold and yeast as indicators for microbial contamination were evaluated. Recently in a number of dates packaging industries, washing the products after the harvest is done. In current study, the effects of rinsing to decrease the dust pollution on date palm along with, the time effect on the quality and durability of washed and un-washed dates were investigated. Overall, 48 washed and un-washed dates were sampled from traditional and technologically advanced packaging industries, equally, and were confirmed according to ISIRI methods. The Averages of total and acid insoluble ashes in washed date samples were:1.05±0.14 and 3.32±0.32%, and for un-washed samples were 1.36±0.27 and 4.59±1.64 percent, respectively. In all date samples were presented the yeast, however, their means were lower than the maximum limit (1×104 CFU). Also, all date samples were moldy. The Mean percentage of total ash samples in un-rinsed and rinsed dates were approximately, 1.84 and 1.33 times more than the maximum permissible limit, respectively. The mean of acid insoluble ash in all samples (100%), and 98% of total ash were higher than acceptable levels (p<0.05). The results revealed that the average percentage difference between the two groups were transpicuous, while this difference was not significant (p=0.13). Under the similar conditions, the average amount of yeast in washed date samples, were significantly different (p<0.05) and more than un-wash samples. The Mold levels in un-rinsed and rinsed samples; were 83.3 and 75% higher than the maximum permissible limit. According to the results, regardless of a decrease in amount of molds in washed samples than un-wash samples, the rinsing, was unable to eliminate the pollution, or even decreased it to acceptable levels. According to the findings, present rinsing is not an appropriate method for long storage. Observations, after one year upkeep in the same conditions, expressed that all un-washed date samples were apparently healthy, without any pests and insects. While 91.6% of the washed samples were insectivores, also their textured appearances were very unpleasant.

The oceans as ‘mother of origin of life’ are a unique source that provide a various collection of natural products from sponges, tunicates, bryozoans, algae and molluscs as well as cyanobacteria and the other marine organisms. In the past few decades, a significant number of marine natural products with potent pharmacological properties have been discovered from these organisms. Here, we evaluate the history of drug discovery and theire development, from sea natural compounds, providing an outlook into the future. For our aims, we collected the data for this review by searcheing pubmed (in 2014. 26.06), Marine Lit in addition to archives of ISMJ site through google. Search terms were “marine venoms to drugs” and “marine bioactive compounds” for pubmed, and a total of 69 papers were found, that 50 more related articles were selected. From Search terms of “marine bioactive compounds to drugs” and “marine bioactive compounds” in Marine Lit were obtained, 67 and 105 English-language papars, respectevily; that in the end 99 articles were selected. In addition from search for “marine bioactive compounds in bpums or ISMJ” 11 related publications were selected. At the present time, specific bioactive compounds such as cytarabine are accessible in market; some of them are present in different phases of the clinical trials, Phase I, Phase II or Phase III, as wll as in the preclinical pipeline, or either expected to be approved soon. Many marine products are useful for cancer, chronic pains, infectious diseases, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), arthritis, inflammations, and the other therapeutic paybacks. The authors believe that the sea can be a promising drug discovery for patients who have disappointed and give up of land resources. History of these compounds shows that initial efforts that led to the isolation of active compounds; can be the start point for the next stage of their development. Therefore, any research with a certain purpose, though seemingly small, can be a preface to the discovery of a new drug. A comparison as the antiquity of a few decades the pharmaceutical science with marine resources, than their several thousand years antiquity in the mainland, Can guess “What has accelerated the speed of their progress”.

Marine neurotoxins as of Marine biotoxins are natural toxins that produced mainly by dinoflagellates, diatoms and several species of invertebrates and fish. Marine poisoning results from the ingestion of marine animals contain these toxins and causes considerable adverse effects. This review provides some facts about the structures of marine neurotoxins, their molecular target and pharmacology, analytical methods for their detection and quantitation, diagnosis and laboratory testing, clinical manifestations, as well as prevention and treatment, if were obtainable. Furthermore, we focus on marine poisoning and various associated neurological syndromes like ciguatera, tetrodotoxin poisoning, and paralytic shellfish poisoning, after ingestion of the common marine toxins. A number of neurotoxins that prescribed according to their potency (LD50) are: Maitotoxin, Ciguatoxins and Palytoxin, Tetrodotoxin and Saxitoxin, Brevetoxins, Azaspiracid, Yessotoxin, Cooliatoxin, Domoic acid and Conotoxins, Respectively. The primary target of most marine neurotoxins is voltage gated sodium channels and the resulting block of ion conductance through these channels. Moreover, these compounds interact with voltage-gated potassium and calcium channels and modulate the flux of stated ions into many cell types. As well, the target recognized for palytoxin is the Na+- K+ /ATPase. Results of reviewed studies revealed that, the Ciguatera is the commonest syndrome of marine poisoning, but is rarely lethal. Puffer fish poisoning results from the ingestion of fish containing tetrodotoxin and paralytic shellfish poisoning are less common, but have a higher fatality rate than ciguatera. Despite their high toxicity, no much research has been done on some of the toxins, like maitotoxin. In addition, there have remained unknown the pharmacological effects, mechanism of action and molecular target of some toxins such as Cooliatoxin and Ostreotoxins, Which could be the subject of the research in Future, or perhaps a new generation of drugs.