Researches:

Article title: Cubozoan envenomation: Mechansims, models and management
Authors: Angel Anne Yanagihara, Noel Saguil, Christie Wilcox, Armin Santos Coronado, Noel Stephen F. Saguil, Raechel Kadler
Publication title: Toxicon 177 Suppl 1:S9, April 2020

Abstract:
Cubozoan envenomations are the leading cause of severe and lethal human sting injuries from marine life. The total amount venom discharged into sting-site tissues, “venom load”, correlates with tentacle contact length and sequelae severity. Optimal first aid measures prevent additional venom discharge into skin and reduce the activity of venom already discharged. Since 1% of tentacle cnidae discharge upon initial contact, rapid inactivation and effective removal of adherent tentacles is critical. We evaluated whether common rinse solutions or scraping increased venom load as measured in a direct functional assay of venom activity (hemolysis). Scraping significantly increased hemolysis. For Alatina alata, increases did not occur if the tentacles were first doused with vinegar or if heat (45oC for 45 min) was immediately applied. However, in Chironex fleckeri and other life threatening chirodropid species, vinegar dousing and heat treatment were somewhat less effective; the best outcomes occurred with the use of copper gluconate containing spray and cream formulations. Pretreatment with a newly identified venom inhibitor, 2 hydroxypropyl-bcyclodextrin( HPbCD), of blood agar plates before live tentacle application or of red blood cell solutions in hemolytic assays before addition of venom, markedly reduced venom-induced hemolysis, whereas post treatment with HPbCD showed no effect in solution based hemolytic assays and worsened outcomes in live tentacle blood agar assays. Surprisingly, seawater rinsing, considered a “no-harm” alternative to vinegar, significantly increased venom load. The application of ice severely exacerbated A. alata stings, but had a less pronounced effect on C. fleckeri stings, while heat application markedly reduced hemolysis for both species. Our results do not support scraping or seawater rinsing to remove adherent tentacles but support the use of vinegar dousing followed by application of skin safe heat as well as the utility of novel chemical inhibitors.
Full text available upon request to the author/s.

Article title: Effect of nitrogen from different sources on the growth and biomass production of spirulina platensis (Gomont) Geitler
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado, Florabelle B. Cabbarubias, Mae G. Arocha
Publication title: PUP Journal of Science and Technology, 2019

Abstract:
Spirulina platensis is a filamentous cyanobacterium known for its promising nutritional value used in several industries. The biomass produced after 24-days cultivation treated with sodium nitrate is significantly higher (0.001 < α0.05) than the cultures treated with urea. Cultures given with nitrogen concentration of 1.648 g/L of sodium nitrate had the highest optical density (5.895 ± 1.095) and dried biomass (2.265 ± 0.390 mg/mL) but not significantly higher with other sodium nitrate treatments (OD: 0.395 > α0.05, DBM: 0.629 > α0.05). The findings suggest that urea is not recommended as an alternative nitrogen source for Spirulina. Results also showed that lower nitrogen concentrations (0.103 g/L) of sodium nitrate can be used to cultivate Spirulina without compromising the biomass production. Moreover, this study showed that the peak of growth rate happens during the 16th day of cultivation.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/mvfmfpme

Article title: Timing of Early Developmental Stages in Embryos of Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus, 1758) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado, Maribel Dionisio-Sese, Ma. Vivian Camacho, Mark Louie D. Lopez
Publication title: PUP Journal of Science and Technology, 2018

Abstract:
Sea urchin is one of the most important subjects in developmental biology studies due to its rapid and simple development. Timing for its development is a key component for most experiments. However, available data often vary due to the effect of temperature and other external factors. With this, standardization on the timing of the early developmental stages in embryos of Tripneustes gratilla was conducted in this study. Induced spawning and in-vitro fertilization were done on the collected sea urchins. Morphology of the embryo and timing for each developmental stage including early cleavage stages, morula, and blastula were studied. Sea urchin embryos started its development at 2 minutes after fertilization and reached blastula stage after 6 hours. Developmental stages of T. gratilla embryos exhibited embryological distinction from one another and tend to develop rapidly after fertilization making it an appropriate model organism for biological researches.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/2s3su46d

Article title: Automated cell counter for Dunaliella SP. Under Laboratory Condition
Authors: Mary Jane Magno Tan, Jonas Gerard, C. Rigor. Jose R. San Juan Jr., Armin S. Coronado
Publication title: PUP Journal of Science and Technology, 2018

Abstract:
In order to maximize the potential of Dunaliella sp. as feedstock for biodiesel production, the laboratory culture conditions must be fully understood to obtain high yield and good quality lipids. However, optimizing culture conditions need rigorous daily monitoring of algal growth that entails time-consuming protocol like manual counting of cells under the microscope. This research developed a cost-effective system that utilizes Haar Cascade Algorithm as classifier, to automatically count Dunaliella sp. cells in order to calculate the culture cell density and generate data through graphs. The Automated Cell Counter has a percentage accuracy of 87.75% and percentage performance of 87.75% using F-measure (F1-score). Moreover, the precision (exactness) of the system and recall (sensitivity of the classifier) has values of 72.76% and 71.3%, respectively. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that the calculated cell density between automated cell counter and manual counting done by domain experts of Dunaliella sp. is not significantly different (α0.05<0.609). Therefore, the Haar Cascade Algorithm can be used as classifier to count Dunaliella sp. cells.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/2p8w2e82

Article title: Web-based Decision Support System for broodstock management of siganus guttatus (bloch, 1787) in open fish cage
Authors: Mary Jane Magno-Tan, Axl C. Alejandrino, Conrad G. Dela Cruz, Arnold C. Inoc, and Armin S. Coronado
Publication title: International Journal of Machine Learning and Computing 7(6), 2017

Abstract:
This paper presents a Decision Support System (DSS) for broodstock management of Siganus guttatus - a high valued herbivorous fish species cultured in the Philippines which has a promising commercial potential. The DSS helps aquaculture experts and farmers in monitoring water quality of the fish cages of the breeders known as broodstock. The system predicts future water quality values based on the past and current values; models present and future water quality parameters through graphs; recommends tasks on broodstock management based on the current water quality and provides an early warning for possible fish kill occurrence based on predicted water quality. The algorithm used for the forecasting module of the DSS is Artificial Neural Network (ANN); forecast error was computed by comparing actual and predicted values, to measure the forecast accuracy; and Test-Retest method was used to assess the reliability of the system. The accuracy rate of the system in predicting future water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen are 91.05%, 92.67% and 72.58% respectively. The forecast accuracy for dissolved oxygen is significantly lower than the forecast accuracy for temperature and salinity because of insufficient training data for dissolved oxygen. The overall accuracy of the system in prediction is 85.44%. The test-retest reliability of the water quality shows consistency between values for each water parameter, hence the system prediction is considered reliable.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/45pjprmj

Article title: Preliminary assessment of water quality of Donata Falls in Polillo, Quezon, Philippines Using Macrobenthos
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado and Mc Jevis Soltura Villaruel
Publication title: PUP Journal of Science and Technology 8(11-24), 2015

Abstract:
The macrobenthos distribution and productivity are directly influenced by physico-chemical parameters of freshwater systems which make them a good bioindicator. This study presented a preliminary assessment of Donata Falls to provide baseline information regarding its aquatic health status. No significant differences were observed among parameters measured, which include dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH and temperature. Based on the mean values of total nitrogen (14.09 ppm) and phosphorus (0.11 ppm), falls can be classified as oligotrophic. Macrobenthos were collected using bucket method. The macrobenthos community represents 1 species under Class Gastropoda, 2 species under Order Coleoptera, 3 species under Order Odonata and 1 species under Order Oligochaeta, Ephemeroptera and Tricoptera. Nerita sp. under Class Gastropoda obtained the highest abundance (37.03%) followed by Family Coenagrionidae under Order Odonata with 24.07% abundance. Abundance of these organisms would suggest that the falls has a good water condition. Family biotic index (FBI), biological monitoring working party (BMWP) and average score per taxon (ASPT) were also calculated. The average FBI value was 1.50 suggesting that there is no apparent organic pollution in the area. Moreover, BMWP score (65.6) and ASPT score (6.56) indicate that the falls has moderate to clean water condition.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/r3feykt5

Article title: Antimicrobial property of crude ethanolic extract from Sargassum crassifolium
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado and Maribel Dionisio-Sese
Publication title: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences 16(4):383-386, 2014

Abstract:
Marine bioactive compounds have become popular due to their biomedical importance. This study focuses on exploring the antimicrobial property of the crude ethanolic extract from the brown seaweed Sargassum crassifolium J.G. Agardh collected from the coastal waters of Polillo Island, Quezon Province, Philippines. Crude ethanolic extract from fresh (F) and dried (D) samples of S. crassifolium produced two (2) fractions (F1= liquid fraction; F2 = solid lyophilized fraction). Phytochemical screening of the four (4) fractions revealed the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, polyphenol, saponin and volatile oil. Anthraquinone, flavonoid and tannin were not detected in the crude ethanolic extract. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk-diffusion assay showed that only the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to the crude extract. The Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli as well as the non-filamentous and filamentous fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, respectively, were found to be resistant. The highest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus was observed in FF1 (%RIZ = 39.40 ± 1.13) while the lowest was observed in DF2 (%RIZ = 29.51 ± 4.47).
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/utdsv5zp

Article title: A Web-based Water Quality Prediction and Decision Support System for the Early Developmental Stage of Holuthuria scabra (Jaeger, 1833) Utilizing Bayesian Networks
Authors: Mike Lemuel B. Bacayo, James Labnao, O Vincent, Jerico M Tana, Mary Jane Magno Tan, Armin Santos Coronado
Publication title: Not indicated

Abstract:
Holuthuria scabra is a high valued marine species in the Philippines. During its early developmental stage, the larvae depends on the water quality of the larval tank in order to survive. But with the unpredictable changes of the water quality of the larval tank only 2% of the larvae survives into a juvenile. This research aims to develop a decision support system (DSS) using Bayesian Networks, that predicts the water quality of the larval tank during the early developmental stage of H. scabra and provide suggestion on the amount of water to be added to the larval tanks to maintain an optimum water quality. Using Mean Absolute Percentage Error to compute the forecast accuracy (FA), it showed the result of 84.37%, 88.44% and 88.44% in forecasting the salinity level, dissolved oxygen level and temperature respectively and an overall FA of 87.08%. The FA in predicting the salinity level is significantly lower than the FA in predicting the dissolved oxygen level and temperature because of lack of variation on the training data. One-way ANOVA showed that there is no significant difference between the advice of the DSS and human experts in the amount of water needed to be added to the larval tank.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/yckp9mea

 Article title: Influence of yeast, chicken manure and daily feeding of chlorella ellipsoidea in the population growth of Moina Micrura
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado and Marian Vivian Camacho
Publication title: PUP Journal of Science and Technology, 2014

Abstract:
The total number of broods produced, daily fecundity and the size-class distributions of Moina micrura were determined in a four-day culture experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of rearing M. micrura in six culture methods. This study shows that addition of yeast, chicken manure and daily feeding of Chlorella ellipsoidea are the effective protocols in culturing M. micrura, which produced a significantly higher number of individuals (708 ± 66 individuals) compared with no yeast, no chicken manure and non-daily feeding of C. ellipsoidea. Higher production of M. micrura in chicken manure could be attributed to bacteria proliferation, which serves as additional food for the zooplankters, as well as to the products synthesized by bacteria to enhance growth. Daily feeding of C. ellipsoidea also contributed to high brood production of M. micrura, which may be attributed to the presence of certain nutrients necessary for growth and development of cladocerans. The proportion of neonates, juveniles and adults did not differ significantly among treatments but the lengths of developmental stages were significantly different among the treatments. Knowing the size-class distribution of M. micrura is important since this would allow determination of appropriate feed for fish with various gape sizes.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/36vn4cee

Article title: Toxicity of sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown algae sargassum crassifolium J.G. Agardh using Moina Macrocopa (Strauss, 1820)
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado and Mc. Jervis S. Villaruel
Publication title: PUP Journal of Science and Technology 6, 2013

Abstract:
Sargassum crassifolium is a common brown algae found along the coastal area of Polillo Island, Quezon Province, Philippines. This macroalgae is known to contain sulfated polysaccharide, a bioactive compound localized in their cell wall matrix, which is popularly known for having wide range of bioactivities and therapeutic uses. Information regarding its toxicity must be fully understood thus, this study elucidated the use of Moina macrocopa as test organism for toxicity assay. Two (2) aqueous fractions of crude sulfated polysaccharide were extracted from fresh and dried S. crassifolium. Four (4) concentrations (0 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 200 μg/mL and 300 μg/mL) of the lyophilized extract were used to ascertain its toxicity. Twenty (20) mature M. macrocopa adults were used and the survivorship after 96 hours was determined. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that the survivorship of M. macrocopa with various concentrations are significantly different (FF1=0.05>0.0001; FF2=0.05>0.043; DF1=0.05>0.005; DF2=0.05>0.0001) from each fraction. The differences were due to the high survivorship of M. macrocopa as the concentration increases. This indicated that sulfated polysaccharide is non-toxic up to 300 μg/mL, which manifested by the reproduction of M. macrocopa among treatments. On the other hand, no significant differences (0.05<0.257) were observed in the fecundity of each individual among four (4) fractions thus, all the extracted sulfated polysaccharide fractions exhibited no toxicity to M. macrocopa.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/2nrssx4d

Article title: Community Structure of Zooplankton at Sampaloc Lake, San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado, John Genricsson S. Mallari, Sarah Jane M. Balana
Publication title: PUP Journal of Science and Technology 4, 2011

Abstract:
The zooplankton distribution and productivity are directly affected by the physical and chemical conditions of freshwater systems. This study assessed the composition of zooplankton community in Sampaloc Lake, San Pablo City, Laguna in an attempt to determine the trophic status of the lake. Among the environmental parameters measured, only the dissolved oxygen gave significant differences (α0.05 > 0.04) among five stations, which can be explained by the varying levels of organic compounds that each station is receiving. The zooplankton community of the lake consists of three major groups namely Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda. Although rotifers gave the highest species richness (42 taxa), copepods were the most abundant (53.60%). Zooplankters within the lake showed high diversity (H’=2.034; 1-D=0.7581) but no taxa drastically dominated (D=0.2419) the community. During the sampling period, the average measurements of the various physic-chemical parameters (pH=7.91±0.09; transparency=32,40±4.57 in; DO=7.50±0.40 mg/L) indicated mesotropic condition of the lake. Moreover, the presence of Brachionus, Filinia, Bosmina and Ceriodaphnia supported the
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/38dhz6f6

Article title: Patterns of Leaf Shape Variations in Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Robb.
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado, Mark Anthony Jariol Torres, Cesar De Mayo, Vivian S. Tolentino, Catherine B. Lagunzad, Vivian Panes
Publication title: PUP Journal of Science and Technology 2(1), 2008

Abstract:
Geometric morphometry was used to assess the variations in the shapes of the leaves in Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob. The technique enabled to understand the shapes of the leaves through Elliptic Fourier Descriptors (EFD). The outline-based morphologies of the leaves from the third order branch located at the crown. Lateral inflorescence and base in each tree stand from three sites were determined by assigning chain-codes to the binary images of the leaves. The leaf outline was reconstructed using a total of 80 elliptic Fourier coefficients. The leaf shape variations, symmetrical (intrinsic) and asymmetrical (extrinsic), were summarized by performing Principal Component Analysis using the variance-covariance matrix of the coefficients. Results showed that the first four principal components obtained explain 90.45% of the total symmetric variations, indicating that differences in the leaf-width ratio exist among the tree positions from different populations. The asymmetrical components were summarized by a total of five principal components. Moreover, this study elucidated the use of Elliptic Fourier Analysis (EFA) to facilitate taxonomic descriptions of the species and possible applications in systematics and evolutionary studies of mangroves.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/yznw6s32

Papers Presented

Article title: Antioxidant Activity of Crude Sulfated Polysaccharide Extracted from Sargassum crassifolium J . G . Agardh
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado and Maribel Dionisio-Sese
Conference title: 6th National Symposium and Scientific Meeting on "Enhancing Regional Capability for Algal Research and Commercialization" of Philippine Phycological Society, Inc., June 2015

Abstract:
Crude sulfated polysaccharide (CSP) was extracted from the fresh (F) and dried (D) thalli of brown macroalga Sargassum crassifolium J. G. Agardh, which resulted into two fraction extracts (F1 and F2) each. The four fractions were tested for antioxidant activity using three antioxidant assays, namely, nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (NORSA), 1,1-diphenyl-2-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In NORSA, FF2 revealed the highest NO- inhibition than all fraction extracts and standard ascorbic acid (AA). On the basis of the calculated IC50 of all the fraction extracts, FF2 (188.90 μg ml-1), may be considered as a promising antioxidant against NO-. All the fraction extracts, however, showed lower DPPH- inhibition (<3.83 μg ml-1) than AA (85.03 μg ml-1). Moreover, CSP exhibited lower TAC (<22.50 μg ml-1) based on its calculated ascorbic acid equivalent.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/48exe8kv

Article title: Anti-proliferative Activity of Crude Sulfated Polysaccharide Extracted from Hormophysa cuneiformis (J.F. Gmelin) P.C. Silva Using In-vitro Fertilized Sea Urchin Embryos
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado, Dan Jethro Magcuha Masacupan, Maribel Dionisio-Sese, Jake Ivan Perez Baquiran
Conference title: 6th National Symposium and Scientific Meeting on "Enhancing Regional Capability for Algal Research and Commercialization" of Philippine Phycological Society, Inc, June 2015

Abstract:
Aqueous extraction of the dried thalli of Hormophysa cuneiformis (J.F. Gmelin) P.C. Silva produced two lyophilized fraction extracts (F1 and F2) of crude sulfated polysaccharide (CSP). The capability of F1 and F2 to inhibit proliferation of cells in the early embryogenesis (2-cell stage to blastula stage) of fertilized sea urchin (Tripneustes gratilla L.) eggs were tested and compared using colchicine and doxorubicin as positive controls. Results showed that the highest relative development inhibition (RDI) was observed in F1 at 92.65%, which significantly differ from colchicine ( >0.007) and doxorubicin ( >0.0001). Moreover, F1 obtained the lowest calculated half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.46 ± 0.08 μg/mL, which is comparable to colchicine ( <0.363) at 0.60 ± 0.02 μg/mL. Thus, the CSP from H. cuneiformis can inhibit sea urchin embryo development suggesting high potential for anti-cancer therapy.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/335bppmf

Article title: Preliminary studies to improve outcomes of box jellyfish sting injuries in the Indo-Pacific
Authors: Angel Anne Yanagihara, Noel Saguil, Bryan Joseph Estojero Matillano, Armin Santos Coronado
Conference title: 6TH INTERNATIONAL JELLYFISH BLOOMS SYMPOSIUM, November 2019

Abstract:
Throughout the Indo-Pacific, multiple species of box jellyfish present life threatening hazards. While deaths due to box jellyfish stings occur in coastal Australia, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, evidence suggests that the greatest sting-related loss of life occurs in the Philippines where while sting incidence and prevalence have never been systematically assessed, case reports demonstrate that childhood deaths and injuries due to chirodropid box jellyfish stings represent a critical and currently unmet health challenge. Underlying this challenge is the fact that box jellyfish sting incidents and fatalities, are considered “environmental accidents” and not documented in regional and provincial health records. Preliminary pilot study efforts in 2016–2019 in the Philippines demonstrated that the burden of these stings represents an area of serious concern to coastal communities with highest impacts on children and fisher folk in already marginalized areas (estimated at over 100 deaths/year). This is likely the result of the abundance of these lethal stingers and the maritime nature of this island nation, as well as challenges in remote coastal community access to emergent care. Study results will be presented related to the three main aims of this pilot study: 1) public health outreach; 2) field ecology surveys; and 3) bioactivity assays.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/y5umtz6f

Article title: Population growth and size class distribution of Moina Macrocopa (Strauss) reared in Different Culture Conditions
Authors: Mary Jane Magno Tan, Armin Santos Coronado, Rustom R. Garcia, May D. Maulani
Conference title: BFAR-NFRDI 6th Scientific Conference, October 2014

Abstract:
Live organisms provide and transfer the nutri3ve elements to its predator (New, 1998). The growth and development of fish larvae is dependent on the nutrients delivered by the live feeds , which should be acceptable to the larval fish in terms of size , shape and palatability. The use of live feeds has been recognized in larviculture (Olurin and Oluwo , 2010). The amount and quality of live feeds should be amenable to supply the needs of rearing fish larvae. Thus , the stability and reliability of live feed culture are indispensable. In aquaculture , cladocerans have been u3lized successfully as food for larval fish (Qin and Culver , 1996) and preferred to be eaten by most fish larvae as they become visible through its jerky movement (Mayer and Wahl , 1997). Moina is a cladoceran that has been used as replacements live feed for Artemia (Alam et al. , 1993) but their availability is seasonal. It is therefore necessary to develop culture technology for Moina in order to ensure their availability at all 3mes. Moreover , if the amount of food present in the medium is adequate as well as favorable environmental condi3ons , the adult females undergo parthenogenesis (Innes , 1997) , which increases the rate of reproduc3on and makes Moina suitable for mass culture produc3on. In this study , contribu3on of daily feeding of Chlorella sorokiniana to the total number of broods produced , daily fecundity and the class-­‐size distribu3on of Moina macrocopa during seven-­‐day culture period were explored .
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/2p9xmtm8

Article title: Taxonomic Survey of Brown Algae (Division Phaeophyta) in Polillo Island, Quezon Province, Philippines
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado, John Kenneth, A Manaloto, Tiffany M Reyes
Conference title: 5th National Phycological Symposium and Scientific Meeting on “Exploring Algae Diversity for Health, Environment and Industry, 2013 

Abstract:
A survey of brown algae present along the littoral zone of selected barangays in Polillo Island, Quezon Province, Philippines was conducted. Collection sites include five (5) barangays namely Anawan, Canicanian, Languyin, Pamatdan and Sabang. Fourteen (14) species of brown algae were present that belongs to five (5) genera and four (4) families. Sargassaceae had the highest species distribution of 71.43% (n=10) while only 7.14% (n=1) represents Scystoseiraceae and Cystoseiraceae, respectively. Padina minor was the only brown algae observed in all collection sites. Moreover, the study revealed that Polillo Island had seven (7) new record of brown algae distribution namely Hormophysa cuneiformis, Turbinaria decurrens, Sargassum ilicifolium, S. kushimotense, S. paniculatum, S. feldmannii and S. yoshidae. The presence of these species can be contributed by the open coast area of the island with strong water current, which detached algae from other places may possibly be transported by strong waves.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/tu4ywv3m

Article title: Antimicrobial Property of Crude Ethanolic Extract from Sargassum crassifolium J.G. Agardh
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado and Maribel Dionisio-Sese
Conference title: 5th National Phycological Symposium and Scientific Meeting on “Exploring Algae Diversity for Health, Environment and Industry, April 2013

Abstract:
Marine bioactive compounds have become popular due to their biomedical importance. This study focuses on exploring the antimicrobial property of the crude ethanolic extract from the brown seaweed Sargassum crassifolium J. G. Agardh collected from the coastal waters of Polillo Island, Quezon Province, Philippines. Crude ethanolic extract from fresh (F) and dried (D) samples of S. crassifolium produced two (2) fractions (F1= liquid fraction; F2=solid lyophilized fraction). Phytochemical screening of the four (4) fractions revealed the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, polyphenol, saponin and volatile oil. Anthraquinone, flavonoid and tannin were not detected in the crude ethanolic extract. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk-diffusion assay showed that only the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to the crude extract. The Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli as well as the non-filamentous and filamentous fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, respectively, were found to be resistant. The highest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus was observed in FF1 (%RIZ= 39.40 ± 1.13) while the lowest was observed in DF2 (%RIZ=29.51 ± 4.47).
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/znpyn52r

Article title: Leaf Shape Variation between Halophila ovalis (R. Br.) Hook F. and Halophila minor (Zoll.) den Hartog (Family Hydrocharitaceae)
Authors: Armin Santos Coronado, Christian Joy O. Regala, Michelle O. Casayuran
Conference title: Association of Systematic Biologist of the Philippines (ASBP) Annual Conference

Abstract:
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/bdzyyuar