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- Development and characterization of twelve microsatellite markers for Porphyra linearis GrevillePublication . E, Varela-Álvarez; Paulino, Cristina; Serrao, EsterThe genus Porphyra (and its sister genus Pyropia) contains important red algal species that are cultivated and/or harvested for human consumption, sustaining a billion-dollar aquaculture industry. A vast amount of research has been focused on species of this genus, including studies on genetics and genomics among other areas. Twelve novel microsatellite markers were developed here for Porphyra linearis. Markers were characterized using 32 individuals collected from four natural populations of P. linearis with total heterozygosity varying from 0.098 to 0.916. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 18. All markers showed cross amplification with Porphyra umbilicalis and/or Porphyra dioica. These polymorphic microsatellite markers are useful for investigating population genetic diversity and differentiation in P. linearis and may become useful for other genetic research on the reproductive biology of this important species.
- Algae as food in Europe: an overview of species diversity and their applicationPublication . Mendes, Madalena; Navalho, Sofia; Ferreira, Alice; Paulino, Cristina; Figueiredo, Daniel; Silva, Daniel; Gao, Fengzheng; Gama, Florinda; Bombo, Gabriel; Jacinto, Rita; Aveiro, Susana; Schulze, Peter S.C.; Gonçalves, Ana Teresa; Pereira, Hugo; Gouveia, Luisa; Patarra, Rita F.; Abreu, Maria Helena; Silva, Joana L.; Navalho, João; Varela, João; Galileu Speranza, LaisAlgae have been consumed for millennia in several parts of the world as food, food supplements, and additives, due to their unique organoleptic properties and nutritional and health benefits. Algae are sustainable sources of proteins, minerals, and fiber, with well-balanced essential amino acids, pigments, and fatty acids, among other relevant metabolites for human nutrition. This review covers the historical consumption of algae in Europe, developments in the current European market, challenges when introducing new species to the market, bottlenecks in production technology, consumer acceptance, and legislation. The current algae species that are consumed and commercialized in Europe were investigated, according to their status under the European Union (EU) Novel Food legislation, along with the market perspectives in terms of the current research and development initiatives, while evaluating the interest and potential in the European market. The regular consumption of more than 150 algae species was identified, of which only 20% are approved under the EU Novel Food legislation, which demonstrates that the current legislation is not broad enough and requires an urgent update. Finally, the potential of the European algae market growth was indicated by the analysis of the trends in research, technological advances, and market initiatives to promote algae commercialization and consumption.