Biodegradation of Laminaria japonica and Application of Seaweed Extracts in Agricultural Field

doi:10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0742

Abstract

Abstract:

The study aimed to solve the ecological problems caused by the low added value of Laminaria japonica processing, the restriction of high-value use of fucoidan due to its structural characteristics and the abuse of chemical fertilizers in China, and to explore the application of L. japonica biodegradation technology and its products in agricultural field, so as to provide reference for the development of marine algal resources. The necessity and advantages of biodegradation were analyzed by summarizing the main components and structural characteristics of L. japonica; the biodegradation technology was elaborated, including the source, classification, structure and mechanism of action of fucoidan laccases, as well as the synergistic degradation methods of microbial fermentation and enzymatic degradation; and the application of the degradation products as biopromoter, antiretroviral inducer, soil conditioner and bacteriostat in agriculture were summarized. The application value of L. japonica biodegradation products in agriculture is remarkable, although there are challenges such as the unclear mechanism of action and the lack of industrial specifications. Through technological innovation and collaboration, it is expected to promote the development of green agriculture and provide an effective path for the high-value utilization of seaweeds.

Key words: Laminaria japonica, biodegradation, alginate lyase, seaweed extract, agricultural application

YUAN Meng, MA Zihan, XIONG Huan, JIANG Aili. Biodegradation of Laminaria japonica and Application of Seaweed Extracts in Agricultural Field[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 2026, 42(7): 105-112.

References 78

[1]	王佳仪. 海带产业串起生态链、致富链[N]. 中国食品报,2024-01-09(006).
[2]	农业农村部渔业渔政管理局. 中国渔业统计年鉴[M]. 北京: 中国农业出版社, 2023:23-50.
[3]	马树华. 新中国海带养殖的科技进步与产业发展[J]. 中国农史, 2025, 44(3):3-14.
[4]	LI Q, WANG X Y, WAN Y S, et al. In vivo immunomodulatory activity of fucoidan from brown alga Undaria pinnatifida in sarcoma 180-bearing mice[J]. Journal of functional foods, 2023, 103:105486. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105486 URL
[5]	ZHANG Z Y, XU M, FAN Y, et al. Using microalgae to reduce the use of conventional fertilizers in hydroponics and soil-based cultivation[J]. Science of the total environment, 2024, 912:169424. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169424 URL
[6]	QIAN S R, XU Y, ZHANG Y F, et al. Effect of AMF inoculation on reducing excessive fertilizer use[J]. Microorganisms, 2024, 12(8):1550. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12081550 URL
[7]	MAHAPATRA D M, SATAPATHY K C, PANDA B. Biofertilizers and nanofertilizers for sustainable agriculture: Phycoprospects and challenges[J]. Science of the total environment, 2022, 803:149990. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149990 URL
[8]	PANDAY D, BHUSAL N, DAS S, et al. Rooted in nature: The rise, challenges, and potential of organic farming and fertilizers in agroecosystems[J]. Sustainability, 2024, 16(4):1530. doi: 10.3390/su16041530 URL
[9]	SAMUELS L J, SETATI M E, BLANCQUAERT E H. Towards a better understanding of the potential benefits of seaweed based biostimulants in Vitis vinifera L. cultivars[J]. Plants, 2022, 11(3):348. doi: 10.3390/plants11030348 URL
[10]	KORKMAZ E, CICEK N. Investigation of the alleviating effect of liquid seaweed fertilizer on Lavandula officinalis under salt stress[J]. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 2024, 196:187. doi: 10.1007/s10661-024-12377-9
[11]	CHANTHINI K M-P, SENTHIL-NATHAN S, STANLEY-RAJA V, et al. Chaetomorpha antennina (Bory) Kützing derived seaweed liquid fertilizers as prospective bio-stimulant for Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill)[J]. Biocatalysis and agricultural biotechnology, 2019, 20:101190. doi: 10.1016/j.bcab.2019.101190 URL
[12]	徐昱松, 宫彬彬, 吴晓蕾, 等. 育苗基质喷施海藻肥对番茄幼苗生长的影响[J]. 河北农业大学学报, 2022, 45(4):32-36. doi: 10.13320/j.cnki.jauh.2022.0057
[13]	DE SOSA L L, NAVARRO-FERNÁNDEZ C M, PANETTIERI M, et al. Application of seaweed and pruning residue as organic fertilizer to increase soil fertility and vine productivity[J]. Soil use and management, 2023, 39(2):794-804. doi: 10.1111/sum.v39.2 URL
[14]	HSU P H, LIN Y J, HWANG P A. Fermentation-induced metabolic changes and bioactive metabolites in Laminaria japonica fermented by Bacillus subtilis[J]. LWT, 2025, 216:117357. doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2025.117357 URL
[15]	罗霜, 冯娟, 张文君, 等. 产褐藻胶裂解酶Exiguobacterium mexicanum MAL070的筛选、发酵条件优化及其对马尾藻的降解效果评价[J]. 食品工业科技, 2025, 46(15):199-208.
[16]	陈梁, 陈晓晨, 杜希萍, 等. 热水烫漂对海带苗食品原料学特性及主要营养成分体外消化的影响[J]. 食品科学, 2025, 46(14):257-262.
[17]	李雪, 吴秀芸, 李颖杰, 等. 海洋褐藻多糖的复杂结构、降解酶系以及生物学功能[J]. 生物化学与生物物理进展, 2023, 50(11):2604-2622.
[18]	李勋祥. 我们要让海带更好吃更有附加值[N]. 青岛日报,2025-07-14(001).
[19]	杨嘉欣, 黄显健, 黄良凤, 等. 不同方法修饰的海带多糖结构及自由基清除能力比较[J]. 现代食品科技, 2025, 41(3):271-278.
[20]	SHEN J, LIU H, WANG M, et al. Effects of brown algae (Laminaria japonica) extract on growth performance, immune function and intestinal health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)[J]. Animals, 2025, 15(5):622. doi: 10.3390/ani15050622 URL
[21]	彭锦芬, 刘勇, 谭支良, 等. 海带提取物对奶牛泌乳性能、抗氧化能力、免疫力、瘤胃发酵及瘤胃微生物的影响[J]. 激光生物学报, 2024, 33(6):530-540.
[22]	BROVKO O, PALAMARCHUK I, GORSHKOVA N, et al. Physicochemical properties and compatibility of sodium alginate and fucoidan solutions[J]. International journal of biological macromolecules, 2023, 243:125309. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125309 URL
[23]	MATSUISHIMA R, DANNO H, UCHIDA M, et al. Analysis of extracellular alginate lyase and its gene from a marine bacterial strain, Pseudoalteromonas atlantica AR06[J]. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 2010, 86(2):567-576. doi: 10.1007/s00253-009-2278-z URL
[24]	LV H F, SU M C, HAO X B, et al. Progress in the study of fucoidan degradation[J]. Carbohydrate research, 2025, 557:109640. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2025.109640 URL
[25]	孙哲朴, 刘辉, 武欣雨, 等. 褐藻胶寡糖制备和生物活性的研究进展[J]. 食品工业, 2019, 40(2):284-289.
[26]	GROBLER C E, MABATE B, PRINS A, et al. Expression, purification, and characterisation of recombinant alginate lyase (Flammeovirga AL2) for the bioconversion of alginate into alginate oligosaccharides[J]. Molecules, 2024, 29(23):5578. doi: 10.3390/molecules29235578 URL
[27]	于淼. 海带降解菌的筛选、酶解优化和发酵液在植物组培中的应用研究[D]. 烟台: 烟台大学, 2023:4-5.
[28]	LI X R, QIAO Y, LIU H. Biological activities and health benefits of sodium alginate: A review[J]. Journal of functional foods, 2025, 129:106856 doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.106856 URL
[29]	ZHANG X Y, TANG Y Q, GAO F, et al. Low-cost and efficient strategy for brown algal hydrolysis: Combination of alginate lyase and cellulase[J]. Bioresource technology, 2024, 397:130481. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130481 URL
[30]	ZHOU J H, LI J J, CHEN G G, et al. Discovery and characterization of a novel poly-mannuronate preferred alginate lyase: The first member of a new polysaccharide lyase family[J]. Carbohydrate polymers, 2024, 343:122474. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122474 URL
[31]	LI Q, HU F, ZHU B, et al. Biochemical characterization and elucidation of action pattern of a novel polysaccharide lyase 6 family alginate lyase from marine bacterium Flammeovirga sp. NJ-04[J]. Marine drugs, 2019, 17(6):323. doi: 10.3390/md17060323 URL
[32]	CHU Y J, KIM H S, KIM M S, et al. Functional characterization of a novel oligoalginate lyase of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia KJ-2 using site-specific mutation reveals bifunctional mode of action, possessing both endolytic and exolytic degradation activity toward alginate in seaweed biomass[J]. Frontiers in marine science, 2020, 7:2020.
[33]	INOUE A, OJIMA T. Functional identification of alginate lyase from the brown alga Saccharina japonica[J]. Scientific reports, 2019, 9:4937. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-41351-6
[34]	WANG H Y, CHEN Z F, ZHENG Z H, et al. A novel cold-adapted and high-alkaline alginate lyase with potential for alginate oligosaccharides preparation[J]. Molecules. 2023, 28(17):6190. doi: 10.3390/molecules28176190 URL
[35]	韩新月. 海带酶解工艺的优化及酶解产物的提取和检测[D]. 烟台: 烟台大学, 2020:4.
[36]	XU C, XIONG Y R, WANG Q Z, et al. Isolation of salt-tolerant Vibrio alginolyticus X511 for efficient co-production of 2, 3-butanediol and alginate lyase from Laminaria japonica[J]. International journal of biological macromolecules, 2025, 288:138765. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138765 URL
[37]	SUN X H, CHEN X L, WANG X F, et al. Cost-effective production of alginate oligosaccharides from Laminaria japonica roots by Pseudoalteromonas aagarivorans A3[J]. Microbial cell factories, 2023, 22:179. doi: 10.1186/s12934-023-02170-7
[38]	吴阳, 霍峥, 李刚, 等. 褐藻胶裂解酶研究进展[J]. 食品工业, 2021, 42(7):261-266.
[39]	GONG J S, LIU X M, ZHANG M J, et al. Purification and characterization of a high salt-tolerant alginate lyase from Cobetia sp. WG-007[J]. Biotechnology and applied biochemistry, 2017, 64(4):519-524. doi: 10.1002/bab.2017.64.issue-4 URL
[40]	王国胜. 产褐藻胶裂解酶菌株的筛选和产酶条件优化及酶应用研究[D]. 青岛: 青岛理工大学, 2025:10.
[41]	SHIN H J, MOON J H, WOO S, et al. Recent advances in alginate lyase engineering for efficient conversion of alginate to value-added products[J]. Microbial biotechnology, 2025, 18(5):e70150. doi: 10.1111/mbt2.v18.5 URL
[42]	李梦. 褐藻胶降解菌产酶条件优化及酶解产物分析[D]. 烟台: 烟台大学, 2023:3-4.
[43]	江君, 刘军, 杨绍青, 等. 黄杆菌褐藻胶裂解酶的高效表达及其在褐藻寡糖制备中的应用[J]. 食品科学, 2021, 42(4):145-152.
[44]	LI Q, HU F, WANG M Y, et al. Elucidation of degradation pattern and immobilization of a novel alginate lyase for preparation of alginate oligosaccharides[J]. International journal of biological macromolecules, 2020, 146:579-587. doi: S0141-8130(19)37118-1 pmid: 31923492
[45]	邓淑芳. 褐藻胶裂解酶产酶菌株的筛选及应用研究[D]. 南宁: 广西大学, 2024:2-4.
[46]	ZHU B W, LI L, YUAN X Y. Efficient preparation of alginate oligosaccharides by using alginate lyases and evaluation of the development promoting effects on Brassica napus L. in saline-alkali environment[J]. International journal of biological macromolecules, 2024, 270(1):131917. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131917 URL
[47]	LI Y, DENG Y H, LI Y J, et al. Identification and characterization of a novel alginate lyase VSAly7C with potential application for alginate di-and tri-saccharide preparation[J]. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2025, 73(19):11855-11865. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c00257 URL
[48]	ZHU B W, WANG H, ZHAO Y, et al. Elucidation of domain function of a novel multifunctional glycoside hydrolase and its use in efficient preparation of oligosaccharides from kelp powder[J]. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2024, 72(50):28028-28039. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c07333 pmid: 39655757
[49]	SUN C X, ZHOU J L, DUAN G L, et al. Hydrolyzing Laminaria japonica with a combination of microbial alginate lyase and cellulase[J]. Bioresource technology, 2020, 311:123548. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123548 URL
[50]	GU X Q, FU L P, WANG Z Y, et al. A novel bifunctional alginate lyase and antioxidant activity of the enzymatic hydrolysates[J]. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2024, 72(8):4116-4126. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08638 pmid: 38372665
[51]	RIVAS-FERNÁNDEZ J P, VUILLEMIN M, PILGAARD B, et al. Unraveling the molecular mechanism of polysaccharide lyases for efficient alginate degradation[J]. Nature communications, 2025, 16:2670. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56754-5
[52]	李谦, 胡富, 宁利敏, 等. 褐藻胶裂解酶的结构及催化机制研究进展[J]. 生物加工过程, 2020, 18(5):592-598.
[53]	LI L, CAO S, ZHU B, et al. Efficient degradation of alginate and preparation of alginate oligosaccharides by a novel biofunctional alginate lyase with high activity and excellent thermophilic features[J]. Marine drugs, 2023, 21(3):180. doi: 10.3390/md21030180 URL
[54]	LI L, ZHU B W, YAO Z, et al. Directed preparation, structure-activity relationship and applications of alginate oligosaccharides with specific structures: A systematic review[J]. Food research international, 2023, 170:112990. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112990 URL
[55]	范盛玉, 王雷, 高昕, 等. 乳酸菌发酵对海带褐藻糖胶结构及生物活性的影响[J]. 食品科学, 2025, 46(10):1059-1069.
[56]	WANG X T, WANG L L, LI X Y, et al. Response surface methodology based optimization for degradation of align in Laminaria japonica feedstuff via fermentation by Bacillus in Apostichopus japonicas farming[J]. Electronic journal of biotechnology, 2016, 22:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2016.04.003 URL
[57]	李金梦. 芽孢杆菌发酵褐藻胶制备褐藻寡糖的研究[D]. 南昌: 南昌大学, 2024:63-64.
[58]	蒋文俊. 产褐藻胶裂解酶深海细菌的筛选与马尾藻发酵研究[D]. 哈尔滨: 哈尔滨工业大学, 2023:46.
[59]	HUANG W, WU C, CHEN Z, et al. Microbial degradation of kelp waste by cooperation of alginate and cellulose hydrolyzing bacteria: A potential solution for kelp waste reutilization[J]. Journal of applied phycology, 2023, 35,1865-1877. doi: 10.1007/s10811-023-02985-2
[60]	陈芊如, 褚德朋, ILYAS N, 等. 海藻提取物的农业应用研究进展[J]. 江苏农业科学, 2021, 49(20):49-56.
[61]	石帅超, 王畅, 刘烨, 等. 滴施海藻肥对玉米生长及产量的影响[J]. 肥料与健康, 2025, 52(1):48-53,70.
[62]	NAZ S, MUHAMMAD H M D, RAMZAN M, et al. Seaweed application enhanced the growth and yield of pea (Pisum sativum L.) by altering physiological indices[J]. Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, 2023, 23:6183-6195. doi: 10.1007/s42729-023-01475-1
[63]	公静茹, 孔金花, 王建武. 微生物肥料和海藻肥对马铃薯生长和经济性状的影响研究[J]. 绿色科技, 2024, 26(9):101-105.
[64]	MOT A, DOBRIN A, FRINCU M, et al. Effects of marine residue-derived fertilizers on strawberry growth, nutrient content, fruit yield and quality[J]. Agronomy, 2023, 13(5):1221. doi: 10.3390/agronomy13051221 URL
[65]	MUKHERJEE A, PATEL J S. Seaweed extract: Biostimulator of plant defense and plant productivity[J]. International journal of environmental science and technology, 2020, 17:553-558. doi: 10.1007/s13762-019-02442-z
[66]	马式太, 王峰, 成琪璐, 等. 海藻寡糖在农业领域的研究应用进展[J]. 中国农学通报, 2024, 40(33):86-92. doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2023-0882
[67]	AITOUQUINANE M, BOUSSIL S, MOUHOUB A, et al. Induction of natural defenses in tomato seedlings by using alginate and oligo alginates derivatives extracted from moroccan brown algae[J]. Marine drugs, 2020, 18(10):521. doi: 10.3390/md18100521 URL
[68]	NUÑEZ-MUÑOZ L, VARGAS-HERNÁNDEZ B, HINOJOSA-MOYA J, et al. Plant drought tolerance provided through genome editing of the trehalase gene[J]. Plant signaling & behavior, 2021, 16(4):1877005.
[69]	LIU J, KENNEDY J F, ZHANG X F, et al. Preparation of alginate oligosaccharide and its effects on decay control and quality maintenance of harvested kiwifruit[J]. Carbohydrate polymers, 2020, 242:116462. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116462 URL
[70]	DAI S Y, FENG W Y, SONG F H, et al. Review of biological algal fertilizer technology: Alleviating salinization, sequestering carbon, and improving crop productivity[J]. Bioresource technology, 2025, 429:132507. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132507 URL
[71]	LIU Q Q, ZHOU H G, SUN M X, et al. Improvement of soil structure and bacterial composition by long-term application of seaweed fertilizer[J]. Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, 2023, 23:5122-5132. doi: 10.1007/s42729-023-01341-0
[72]	WANG M P, CHEN L, LI Y T, et al. Responses of soil microbial communities to a short-term application of seaweed fertilizer revealed by deep amplicon sequencing[J]. Applied soil ecology, 2018, 125:288-296. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2018.02.013 URL
[73]	YU J H, LUO B B, YANG Y J, et al. Polyphosphate-enriched algae fertilizer as a slow-release phosphorus resource can improve plant growth and soil health[J]. Journal of integrative agriculture, 2025, 24(9):3656-3670. doi: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.02.004
[74]	刘文杰, 刘兆志, 杨照悦, 等. 海藻肥的制备及功效研究进展[J]. 智慧农业导刊, 2024, 4(9):66-69.
[75]	HEJNA M, DELL’ANNO M, LIU Y H, et al. Assessment of the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of seaweed-derived extracts[J]. Scientific reports, 2024, 14:21044. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-71961-8 pmid: 39251803
[76]	ČMIKOVÁ N, GALOVIČOVÁ L, MIŠKEJE M, et al. Determination of antioxidant, antimicrobial activity, heavy metals and elements content of seaweed extracts[J]. Plants, 2022, 11(11):1493. doi: 10.3390/plants11111493 URL
[77]	ZHAO L N, HAN J J, LI B, et al. Transcriptome analysis of the disease resistance in postharvest pears induced by Meyerozyma guilliermondii combined with alginate oligosaccharide[J]. Biological control, 2022, 170:104931. doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.104931 URL
[78]	SEKAR S, JEYACHANDRAN S, GIRI J, et al. Advancing sustainable agriculture: The potential of seaweed-derived bio pesticides from marine biomass[J]. Bioresources and bioprocessing, 2025, 12:22. doi: 10.1186/s40643-025-00849-w pmid: 40120004