METHODS: Young shoots of E. crassipes, L. flava, and N. oleracea were collected from shallow channels of Puchong (3°00'11.89″N, 101°42'43.12″E), Ladang 10, Universiti Putra Malaysia (2°58'44.41″N, 101°42'44.45″E), and Kampung Alur Selibong, Langgar (06°5'50.9″N, 100°26'49.8″E), Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia. The nutritional values of these macrophytes were analysed by using a standard protocol from the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Eight replicates of E. crassipes and L. flava and four replicates of N. oleracea were used for the subsequent analyses.
RESULTS: In the proximate analysis, N. oleracea possessed the highest percentage of crude protein (29.61%) and energy content (4,269.65 cal g-1), whereas L. flava had the highest percentage of crude fat (5.75%) and ash (18.31%). The proximate composition trend for each species was different; specifically, all of the species possessed more carbohydrates and fewer crude lipids. All of the species demonstrated a similar mineral trend, with high nitrogen and potassium and lower copper contents. Nitrogen and potassium levels ranged from 12,380-40,380 mg kg-1 and from 11,212-33,276 mg kg-1, respectively, and copper levels ranged from 16-27 mg kg-1. The results showed that all three plant species, i.e., E. crassipes, N. oleracea, and L. flava are plant-based sources of macro- and micronutrient beneficial supplements for human consumption.
METHODS: Five seagrass species, Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Halophila ovalis, Halophila major, and Halophila spinulosa were collected at an Ulva reticulata-colonized site (MA) shoal and a non-Ulva reticulata-colonized site (MC) shoal at Sungai Pulai estuary, Johor, Malaysia. Morphometry of shoots comprising leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), leaf sheath length (LSL), leaflet length (LTL), leaflet width (LTW), petiole length (PL), space between intra-marginal veins (IV) of leaf, cross vein angle (CVA) of leaf, number of the cross vein (NOC), number of the leaf (NOL) and number of the leaflet (NOLT) were measured on fresh seagrass specimens. Moreover, in-situ water quality and water nutrient content were also recorded. Seagrass extracts in methanol were assessed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical cation scavenging activity (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP).
RESULTS: Seagrasses in the U. reticulata-colonized site (MA) had significantly higher (t-test, p < 0.05) leaf dimensions compared to those at the non-U. reticulata colonized site (MC). Simple broad-leaved seagrass of H. major and H. ovalis were highly sensitive to the colonization of U. reticulata, which resulted in higher morphometric variation (t-test, p < 0.05) including LL, PL, LW, and IV. Concerning the biochemical properties, all the seagrasses at MA recorded significantly higher (t-test, p < 0.05) TPC, TFC, and ABTS and lower DPPH and FRAP activities compared to those at MC. Hydrocharitaceae seagrass experience positive changes in leaf morphology features and metabolite contents when shaded by U. reticulata. Researching the synergistic effect of anthropogenic nutrient loads on the interaction between seagrasses and macroalgae can provide valuable information to decrease the negative effect of macroalgae blooms on seagrasses in the tropical meadow.