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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Exploring the associations among halogenated compounds in Asparagopsis taxiformis: temporal shifts and bacterial impacts under intensive cultivation
Algal Research, Vol.94, pp.1-12
2026
Abstract
Bromoform is the key antimethanogenic bioactive in Asparagopsis species, yet its variation in culture and relationship with other halogenated compounds remain poorly understood. Here, the profile of 9 halogenated compounds in A. taxiformis sporophytes cultured at 0.5 g/L over five weeks were quantified, comparing control cultures to those exposed to gentamicin (10 and 20 mg/L) which temporarily reduced surface bacteria by 81–95 %. Chemical analyses (n = 75) identified three classes of compounds (haloacids, halomethanes and haloacetones) comprising totals of 1–3.3 % dry weight (dw). Haloacids represented half the total; dibromoacetic acid (DBAA, 31.4 %), tribromoacetic acid (TBAA, 10 %) and bromochloroacetic acid (1.3 %). Halomethanes accounted for 39.5 % with bromoform (36.4 %) the single most abundant compound at 0.44–1.38 % dw. DBAA and TBAA concentrations reached 0.47–0.82 % and 0.13–0.38 % dw, respectively. Haloacetones contributed 10.7 % of the total, positively correlating with five other halogenated compounds. However, DBAA and TBAA concentrations correlated more closely to growth, cell morphology and bacterial densities than to other halogenated compounds. Overall, there was a temporal shift in growth rates for both antibiotic treatments – initially suppressing growth by 10–25 % before stabilising with all treatments converging to a specific growth rate of ~8.5 % day−1 by week 5. Extending the cultures for an additional 10 weeks confirmed no long-term impacts of antibiotic treatments on growth, halogenated compounds or the composition of surface bacterial community. This study is the first comprehensive evaluation of halogenated compound loads in cultured Asparagopsis, identifying TBAA as a major component that may contribute to antimethanogenic activity in ruminant feed.
Details
- Title
- Exploring the associations among halogenated compounds in Asparagopsis taxiformis: temporal shifts and bacterial impacts under intensive cultivation
- Authors
- S. Blanco-González (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringP.R. Brooks - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringD.A. Heyne - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringA.H. Campbell - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - BiomedicineS.F. Cummins - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringN.A. Paul - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Algal Research, Vol.94, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.algal.2025.104513
- ISSN
- 2211-9264
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- Data will be made available on request.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Student Services and Engagement; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991200749902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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