Ali Parsaeimehr

Microalgal lipid production requires cultivation strategies that reduce freshwater demand while maintaining biomass productivity and improving the quality of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles for downstream applications. In this context, salinity is a relevant but still insufficiently characterized factor, particularly for Auxenochlorella protothecoides, whose response to salt stress in terms of growth dynamics, lipid productivity, and FAME composition remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effect of NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 to 50 g L⁻¹ on the growth, lipid accumulation, FAME profile, and predicted biodiesel-related properties of A. protothecoides. Growth kinetics were described using logistic and Gaussian models. The highest carrying capacity was observed at 10 g L⁻¹ NaCl, whereas the modeled optimum for specific growth rate occurred under moderate salinity, close to 20 g L⁻¹ NaCl. Lipid analyses showed that C16–C18 fatty acids (FAs) dominated across treatments, accounting for more than 90% of total FAMEs, and that increasing salinity shifted the profile from a more saturated C16:0-rich composition toward higher proportions of unsaturated C18 FAs, particularly oleic and linoleic acids. Biodiesel property estimations indicated that mild salinity (5 g L⁻¹) improved some fuel-relevant parameters relative to the other salinity treatments, including cetane number, iodine value, cold-flow-related properties, and oxidative stability. Nevertheless, the predicted viscosity values were below the EN 14214 specification range for all treatments, and oxidative stability at 5 g L⁻¹ only marginally met the European minimum requirement, indicating partial rather than full compliance with biodiesel standards. These findings indicate that salinity can be used as a practical tool to tune biomass production and lipid quality in A. protothecoides, supporting its potential use in microalgal biorefineries and oleochemical applications. Furthermore, the ability of the strain to tolerate saline conditions may support the future use of brackish water, seawater, or saline waste streams, potentially reducing freshwater demand; however, this environmental benefit was not quantified in the present study and should be validated through dedicated water-footprint or life-cycle assessment. Direct biodiesel application also remains limited by incomplete compliance with fuel standards, and further optimization through cultivation in real saline or wastewater-based media, process scale-up, blending, or downstream upgrading will be required to improve industrial feasibility.

Enhancing the production of high-value metabolites in microalgae is essential for sustainable bioproducts and biofuels. In this study, Porphyridium purpureum cultures were supplemented with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and succinic acid (SA) to evaluate their effects on biomass, lipid accumulation, fatty acid profiles, phycobiliproteins, and exopolysaccharides. Moderate β-CD concentrations (0.25–0.50 g L ^− 1 ) significantly increased biomass (2.98 ± 0.12 g L ^− 1 ), lipid content (277.00 ± 5.56 mg g ^− 1 ), total fatty acids, and arachidonic acid yield (70.60 ± 5.70 mg L ^− 1 ) compared to the control. SA supplementation (0.30–0.60 g L ^− 1 ) selectively enhanced long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids accumulation compared with the control treatment, with arachidonic acid reaching 45.89 ± 5.70 mg L ^− 1 . Both supplements also elevated phycobiliproteins and exopolysaccharides, with phycoerythrin being the dominant phycobiliprotein, reaching 146.88 ± 12.40 mg L ^− 1 under 0.50 g L ^− 1 β-CD and 147.00 ± 7.50 mg L ^− 1 under 0.60 g L ^− 1 SA. Excessive levels of either supplement, however, negatively affected growth and metabolite productivity. These findings demonstrate that controlled β-CD and SA supplementation can efficiently improve biomass and the accumulation of lipids, long-chain PUFAs, PBPs, and EPS in P. purpureum , offering a practical strategy for industrial-scale production of high-value algal compounds.

Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) populations are of substantial ecological and economic importance. As a keystone species, C. sapidus plays a critical role in maintaining estuarine food webs while also supporting one of the most consumed and economically valuable seafood industries in Delaware and Maryland. This study investigated the presence of Callinectes sapidus reovirus 1 (CsRV1) in C. sapidus collected from Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, USA, using reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and evaluated potential associations between viral occurrence and physicochemical parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, calcium hardness, nitrite, and chlorophyll-a. A total of eighteen traps were deployed across six study sites encompassing oyster aquaculture areas, artificial oyster reefs, and control sites with minimal structural habitat. CsRV1 was detected in blue crabs from Rehoboth Bay, confirming the presence of the virus within the Delaware Inland Bays; however, detections were limited to a small subset of sampled individuals. Among the environmental parameters examined, salinity exhibited the greatest interannual variability, while other physicochemical conditions remained relatively consistent across site types and sampling periods. Overall, environmental conditions during the study period were within ranges considered suitable for C. sapidus, indicating that the population is likely to experience limited environmental stress and minimal disease-related impacts under current conditions.

Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) populations are of substantial ecological and economic importance. As a keystone species, C. sapidus plays a critical role in maintaining estuarine food webs while also supporting one of the most consumed and economically valuable seafood industries in Delaware and Maryland. This study investigated the presence of Callinectes sapidus Reovirus 1 (CsRV1) in C. sapidus collected from Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, USA, using reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and evaluated potential associations between viral occurrence and physicochemical parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, calcium hardness, nitrite, and chlorophyll-a. A total of 18 traps were deployed across six study sites encompassing oyster aquaculture areas, artificial oyster reefs, and control sites with minimal structural habitat. CsRV1 was detected in blue crabs from Rehoboth Bay, confirming the presence of the virus within the Delaware Inland Bays; however, detections were limited to a small subset of sampled individuals. Among the environmental parameters examined, salinity exhibited the greatest interannual variability, while other physicochemical conditions remained relatively consistent across site types and sampling periods. Overall, environmental conditions during the study period were within ranges considered suitable for C. sapidus, indicating that the population is likely to experience limited environmental stress and minimal disease-related impacts under current conditions.

An emerging paradigm in public health focuses on enhancing nutrition in existing food staples to reduce chronic disease at the population scale, rather than relying on individuals to change their behavior. This paradigm leverages plant and animal breeding, production practices, and processing to enhance nutrition, whereby foods consumed by millions can be improved at low incremental cost. This article supports and operationalizes this paradigm, illustrating the potential to improve diets through a case study that increases the arabinoxylan fiber content of commodity wheat through classical plant breeding (a non-GMO technology). The approach described in this article proposes to link agricultural and food science with health system implementation to deliver equitable access, improved healthcare outcomes and cost savings, and improved community health. Based on published dose–response relationships, comparative risk modeling indicates that modest fiber increases achieved by the commodity wheat breeding led to reduced population-level risks of 1–3% for cardiovascular disease, 3–4.5% for type 2 diabetes, and 1–3.5% for colorectal cancer, translating into substantial healthcare cost savings when implemented at a national scale. This article outlines possible low-risk pathways for implementing these nutrition increases at the population scale through commodity supply chains and community-level nutrition improvement efforts and evaluates the ranges of potential population-level impacts.

Eastern Oysters ( Crassostrea virginica ) are a keystone species and an important product of the commercial shellfish industry in Delaware. Oysters are known as “environmental engineers” that provide a structured habitat for the ecosystem, thus promoting biodiversity. In order to further investigate the role oysters play in increasing biodiversity, real‐time monitoring and environmental DNA (eDNA) were conducted at different sites around Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, USA. The sites include pilot artificial reefs, private aquaculture farms, and a control site without any oysters or habitat structure. Underwater GoPro Hero 3+ and 8 cameras were deployed every 2 weeks from June to October in 2022 and 2023. Cameras were deployed for approximately 2–3 h at a time, and upon retrieval, cameras were reviewed for any signs of aquatic life, and all documented species were identified and recorded for comparisons between sampling sites. Water samples were collected simultaneously for eDNA analysis to serve as a complementary method for species identification. DNA isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to amplify gene sequences for targeted species. Using camera technology, 23 different animal species were recorded across the five study sites. The most abundant species included Spot ( Leiostomus xanthurus ), Atlantic Silverside ( Menidia menidia ), Atlantic Menhaden ( Brevoortia tyrannus ), Horseshoe Crab ( Limulus polyphemus ), Blue Crab ( Callinectes sapidus ), and Hermit Crabs ( Pagurus longicarpus ). The eDNA analysis also successfully detected these species, highlighting the effectiveness of eDNA as a tool for species monitoring. Notably, there was considerable overlap between species identified through both real‐time monitoring and eDNA methods. These findings contribute to ongoing oyster restoration initiatives and sustainable aquaculture practices in the Delaware Inland Bays (DIB), while also enhancing our understanding of complementary biodiversity monitoring techniques.

Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are a keystone species and an important product to the commercial shellfish industry in Delaware. Oysters are known as “environmental engineers” that provide a structured habitat to the ecosystem, thus promoting biodiversity. In order to further investigate the role oysters play in increasing biodiversity, real-time monitoring and environmental DNA (eDNA) were conducted at different sites around Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, USA. The sites include pilot artificial reefs, private aquaculture farms, and a control site without any oysters or habitat structure. Underwater GoPro Hero 3+ and 8 cameras were deployed every two weeks from June – October in 2022 and 2023. Cameras were deployed for approximately 2-3 hours at a time, and upon retrieval, cameras were reviewed for any signs of aquatic life, and all documented species were identified and recorded for comparisons between sampling sites. Water samples were collected simultaneously for eDNA analysis to serve as a complementary method for species identification. DNA Isolation and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were performed to amplify gene sequences for targeted species. Using camera technology, 23 different animal species were recorded across the five study sites. The most abundant species included Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia), Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus), Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus), and Hermit Crabs (Pagurus longicarpus). The eDNA analysis also successfully detected these species, highlighting the effectiveness of eDNA as a tool for species monitoring. Notably, there was considerable overlap between species identified through both real-time monitoring and eDNA methods. These findings contribute to ongoing oyster restoration initiatives and sustainable aquaculture practices in the Delaware Inland Bays (DIB), while also enhancing our understanding of complementary biodiversity monitoring techniques.

Seafood plays a vital role in human diets worldwide, serving as an important source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that promote health and prevent various chronic conditions. The health benefits of seafood consumption are well documented, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, improved cognitive function, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the safety of seafood is compromised by multiple hazards that can pose significant health risks. Pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, in addition to microbial metabolites, are prominent causes of the foodborne diseases linked to seafood consumption, necessitating reliable detection and monitoring systems. Molecular biology and digital techniques have emerged as essential tools for the rapid and accurate identification of these foodborne pathogens, enhancing seafood safety protocols. Additionally, the presence of chemical contaminants such as heavy metals (e.g., mercury and lead), microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in seafood is of increasing concern due to their potential to accumulate in the food chain and adversely affect human health. The biogenic amines formed during the microbial degradation of the proteins and allergens present in certain seafood species also contribute to food safety challenges. This review aims to address the nutritional value and health-promoting effects of seafood while exploring the multifaceted risks associated with microbial contamination, chemical pollutants, and naturally occurring substances. Emphasis is placed on enhanced surveillance, seafood traceability, sustainable aquaculture practices, and regulatory harmonization as effective strategies for controlling the risks associated with seafood consumption and thereby contributing to a safer seafood supply chain.