Chapter 16
Others Aquatic Biopolymers
Abstract In this section, we discuss other polymers which are not covered in separate chapters for different reasons. Some of these biopolymers are less explored
compared, some are more abundant in terrestrial plants and some are relatively newly
discovered. Nonetheless, they are biopolymers present in the aquatic environment
and have significance in different ways.
Keywords Bioluminescence · Biofluorescence · Phlorotannins · Lignin · Pectin ·
Mucin
16.1 Phlorotannins
These polymers are more commonly found in the Eckloma species of brown algae
such as Ecklonia stolonifera and Ecklonia cava. They are made up of phloroglucinol
repeating unit, and their molecular weight ranges between 126 Da and 650 kDa.
Phlorotannins can also be produced synthetically through the polymerization of
phloroglucinol (Seca and Pinto 2018). They are of much pharmaceutical interest
for their antihypertensive properties. For example, studies carried out on laboratory rats administered with oral dosage at 20 mg per kg of body weight show that
6,6
-bieckol phlorotannins act as ACE I inhibitors which prevent vasoconstriction
(Ko et al. 2017). This is important in the management of high blood pressure and
other cardiovascular diseases. Different forms of this biopolymer exist, and they
vary based on their chain length as well as the side groups and linkage between the
phloroglucinol within the chain.
16.2 Bioluminescent Proteins
76% of aquatic organisms living below the abyssopelagic zone have the ability to
produce light. The property referred to as bioluminescence, biological light, is used
by these organisms for different reasons. Some use it for protection to hide from
predators, some for luring food and some for attracting a mate. Organisms which
© Springer International Publishing 2020
O. Olatunji, Aquatic Biopolymers, Springer Series on Polymer and Composite Materials,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34709-3_16
349
Others Aquatic Biopolymers
Abstract In this section, we discuss other polymers which are not covered in separate chapters for different reasons. Some of these biopolymers are less explored
compared, some are more abundant in terrestrial plants and some are relatively newly
discovered. Nonetheless, they are biopolymers present in the aquatic environment
and have significance in different ways.
Keywords Bioluminescence · Biofluorescence · Phlorotannins · Lignin · Pectin ·
Mucin
16.1 Phlorotannins
These polymers are more commonly found in the Eckloma species of brown algae
such as Ecklonia stolonifera and Ecklonia cava. They are made up of phloroglucinol
repeating unit, and their molecular weight ranges between 126 Da and 650 kDa.
Phlorotannins can also be produced synthetically through the polymerization of
phloroglucinol (Seca and Pinto 2018). They are of much pharmaceutical interest
for their antihypertensive properties. For example, studies carried out on laboratory rats administered with oral dosage at 20 mg per kg of body weight show that
6,6
-bieckol phlorotannins act as ACE I inhibitors which prevent vasoconstriction
(Ko et al. 2017). This is important in the management of high blood pressure and
other cardiovascular diseases. Different forms of this biopolymer exist, and they
vary based on their chain length as well as the side groups and linkage between the
phloroglucinol within the chain.
16.2 Bioluminescent Proteins
76% of aquatic organisms living below the abyssopelagic zone have the ability to
produce light. The property referred to as bioluminescence, biological light, is used
by these organisms for different reasons. Some use it for protection to hide from
predators, some for luring food and some for attracting a mate. Organisms which
© Springer International Publishing 2020
O. Olatunji, Aquatic Biopolymers, Springer Series on Polymer and Composite Materials,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34709-3_16
349