| Bogdan-Ștefan NEGREANU-PÎRJOL1,4, Ticuța NEGREANU-PÎRJOL1,5,*, Anca Cristina LEPĂDATU2, Gabriela Mihaela PARASCHIV2, Simona Margareta COMAN3
Abstract: In the context of sustainable agriculture and the valorization of natural biological resources, green macroalgae belonging to the genera Ulva and Cladophora, present in the algal biomass from the Romanian Black Sea coast, may represent a valuable source for obtaining products with biofertilizing and biostimulant potential. This potential is associated with the presence of bioactive compounds, photosynthetic pigments, polysaccharide fractions, and mineral elements that are important for plant nutrition and development. The aim of this study was to characterize the algal biomass and to evaluate selected biological properties of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from these macroalgae, in order to assess their potential use in the formulation of environmentally friendly agricultural products. The characterization of the algal raw materials included determination of loss on drying, phytochemical screening, evaluation of antimicrobial activity, and determination of mineral elements and heavy metals. Loss on drying was determined in order to estimate the moisture content and to standardize the biomass used for extraction and formulation. Analysis of bioactive composition revealed the presence of several classes of biologically relevant compounds, which may contribute to the biostimulant properties of macroalgae. Antimicrobial activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts was evaluated using standard strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, with the aim of investigating the antibacterial and antifungal potential of the algal extracts. The results indicated the ability of the extracts to inhibit the growth of some tested microorganisms, suggesting the presence of metabolites with relevant biological activity. Determination of mineral profile confirmed the presence of important elements for plant nutrition, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, supporting the potential agronomic value of the algal biomass. Heavy metal analysis was necessary to assess the safety of using these raw materials in products intended for agricultural applications and to evaluate their compliance with requirements concerning contaminants in fertilizing products. Overall, the obtained results support the potential of macroalgae from Ulva and Cladophora genera as natural sources of bioactive compounds and nutrients for the development of biofertilizing or biostimulant products. However, confirmation of their agronomic applicability requires further plant-based tests, including the assessment of germination, growth, root development, biomass accumulation, and responses to abiotic stress. Keywords: marine macroalgae; Ulva lactuca; Cladophora vagabunda; Black Sea coast; biostimulants; green fertilization; circular bioeconomy; sustainable agriculture. DOI 10.56082/annalsarscibio.2026.1.18 Read full article 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania (bogdan.negreanu@univ-ovidius.ro; ticuta.negreanu@univ-ovidius.ro) 2 Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agricultural Sciences, Ovidius University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania (simionenuta2003@yahoo.com) 3 Department of Inorganic & Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Catalysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania (simona.coman@chimie.unibuc.ro) 4 Doctoral School of Pharmacy, Organizing Institution for Doctoral University Studies, Ovidius University of Constanta, 900573 Constanta, Romania 5 Academy of Romanian Scientists, Biological Sciences Section, 050045 Bucharest, Romania *Corresponding author e-mail: ticuta.negreanu@univ-ovidius.ro |
PUBLISHED in Annals Academy of Romanian Scientists Series on Biology,
ISSN ONLINE85 – 4177
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