Sea grapes extract improves blood glucose, total cholesterol, and PGC-1α in rats fed on cholesterol- and fat-enriched diet

Amelioration of obesity-related metabolic disorders via supplementation of Caulerpa lentillifera in rats fed with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet

Dietary modification, including functional foods, could reduce comorbidities due to obesity. An increase in serum glucose and lipids is often seen in obesity. Furthermore, obesity is also characterized by a decrease in antioxidant capacity (i.e., decrease in superoxide dismutase/SOD) and downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). It has been well established that PGC-1α is important to regulate mitochondrial biogenesis. Sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera) are known as a traditional food in many Asia-Pacific countries. Recent evidence suggests that sea grapes have many beneficial properties as functional foods and may have potential therapeutic functions. We investigated the effect of sea grapes (C. lentillifera) on serum glucose, lipids, PGC-1α, and protein levels of SOD in the liver of Rattus norvegicus, which is induced with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet. A total of four groups were made, each containing ten male Rattus norvegicus; group A received a standard dry pellet diet as control, group B received cholesterol- and fat-enriched diets (CFED), groups C and D received CFED and 150 and 450 mg/kg body weight (BW) of sea grape extract, respectively, for 4 weeks. Serum glucose and cholesterol were assessed using a blood auto-analyzer. Serum PGC-1α was measured using ELISA. SOD levels were calculated using the superoxide dismutase assay kit by Sigma-Aldrich with blood taken from liver tissue. In this study, sea grape extracts improved total cholesterol levels better than the CFED and normal groups. The efficacy of total cholesterol improvement was similar between the two doses of sea grape extract. Furthermore, sea grape extract increased PCG-1α levels, especially with the dose of 150 mg/kg BW. Blood glucose was also lower in the groups of sea grape extract. Interestingly, the groups treated with sea grapes extract exhibited higher levels of liver SOD compared to the normal and CFED groups. To conclude, sea grapes (C. lentillifera) have promising potential for anti-hyperglycemia and anti-hypercholesterolemia, and for reducing oxidative stress, and providing various health benefits for metabolic disorders.

SARS Edible Straw from Sea Grapes as an Effort Utilization of Marine Resources for Health

Plastic waste is one of the threats to marine life, including plastic straw wastes. SARS Edible Straw is an edible straw made of cassava pulp flour combined with chitosan and sorbitol and the addition of sea grapes extract. Sea grapes extract contains bioactive compounds such as protein, polysaccharides, polyphenol, flavonoid, and antioxidants which are used as fortification to enhance the benefit of SARS Edible Straw. The aim of this study is to increase the added-value and progress of sea grapes as domestic products, on the other hand to improve maritime-based community development to support sustainable conservation of marine environment. Furthermore, to reduce the use of plastic straws in daily life, by utilizing Sea grapes which are rich in antioxidant to make SARS Edible Straw. The methods of this study start from cassava flour preparation, Sea grapes extract preparation, and SARS Edible Straw preparation with biodegradability test, water resistance test, and antioxidant test. The results showed that SARS Edible Straw has the potential as a substitute for plastic straws so that it can reduce plastic waste and is environmentally friendly as indicated by the results of biodegradation tests that meet the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) > 60% for 1 week, SARS Edible Straw is also beneficial for health by fortifying Sea grapes extract which is rich in antioxidants, and can increase the selling value of Sea grapes commodities.

Stability Evaluation of Caulerpa racemosa as Novel Halal Capsule-Shell

BACKGROUND: The capsule shell is generally made from mammalian gelatin; according to Europe gelatine manufacturers of Europe, about 80% of the base material of the capsule shell comes from pork skin and 15% from cow skin. This raises a great deal of concern in the community, especially on the religious aspect. Muslims are prohibited from consuming anything made from pork, while Hindus are forbidden from consuming anything made from beef. To reduce public concern, an alternative medicine shell made from natural ingredients is necessary. AIM: This study aims to discover the potential of a new medicinal shell, which is made from the stem of sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa). METHODS: This laboratory experimental study used a completely randomized design with three treatment variations, namely, the ratio between the volume of chitosan and tripolyphosphate in Sample 1 (V1) was 2:1, Sample 2 (V2) was 3.5:1, and Sample 3 (V3) is 5:1. Each sample was replicated 3 times (triples) and used the analytical method of the association of official analytical chemists. The dough is then printed on capsules of size O (300–500 mg; 0.5 g). RESULTS: The results obtained are the particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of V1, V2, and V3 that are significantly different (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0004, and p < 0.0001) based on the one-way Analysis of variance test. CONCLUSION: From these results, the V3 nanocapsule variant is the best variant and has the potential to be an alternative to drug capsule shells.