Sulfated Polysaccharides from Atlantic Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) and their Biological Function and Defining Requirements for the Conditionally Indispensable Amino Acid Arginine in Parenterally Fed Newborn Piglets

Monday, Dec. 1, 1-2 p.m.

CSF-1302

Hello Everyone,

You are warmly invited to attend the upcoming seminar on Monday, December 1^st, 2025. Please find the details below.

December 1^st, 2025

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

CSF-1302

The direct link for the meeting is:

https://mun.webex.com/mun/j.php?MTID=m5ba6790f02aafe2e41f04228620b0358

Speaker: Abu Saeid

Title: Sulfated polysaccharides from Atlantic Sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) and their biological function

Abstract:

Sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) is a marine invertebrate rich in bioactive sulfated polysaccharides (SPs), primarily fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FCS) and fucan sulfate (FS), which exhibit potent antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-thrombotic, and anticancer properties. Despite their potentials, conventional extraction methods are often time-consuming, solventintensive, and costly, restricting their large-scale applications. Moreover, the potential of sea cucumber by-products, such as internal organs and the floral part, as alternative sources of SPs remains largely unexplored, leading to significant underutilization of valuable biomass. In addition, the detailed structure–function relationship of these SPs is still not well understood, particularly how extraction methods influence their molecular characteristics and bioactivities. Recent advancements in green extraction technologies, including high-pressure processing (HPP) and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction, offer promising opportunities to improve yield, efficiency, and functional properties while supporting environmental sustainability. This study hypothesizes that C. frondosa and its by-products represent sustainable sources of SPs, and that HPP and ultrasound-assisted extraction using papain enzyme can enhance both yield and bioactivities by preserving critical structural features. The objectives of this investigation are to optimize extraction processes, characterize the extracted SPs using FTIR, NMR, and HPLC, and evaluate their antioxidant and bioactive properties through in vitro assays. The findings will advance the understanding of the structure–function relationship of SPs, promote eco-friendly extraction technologies, and support the valorization of sea cucumber by-products, thereby contributing to sustainable marine resource utilization and the development of health-promoting products.

Speaker: Kaitlyn Gatherall

Title: Defining Requirements for the Conditionally Indispensable Amino Acid Arginine in Parenterally Fed Newborn Piglets

Abstract:

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is an important nutritional management strategy for premature and sick infants who cannot tolerate feeding into the gastrointestinal tract. PN delivers all known essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream. However, the optimal concentration of many nutrients has not yet been established. Arginine, a conditionally essential amino acid, is particularly critical for neonates and preterm infants, as the use of low arginine PN has resulted in life-threatening hyperammonemia. Arginine is necessary for urea cycle maintenance, and serves as a precursor for creatine, nitric oxide, and protein synthesis. Although critical for normal infant growth and development, the optimal arginine concentration in PN solutions remains unclear, and commercial products vary widely in arginine content. We have conducted a study to evaluate the arginine requirements for PN-fed neonates. Yucatan miniature piglets received a standard PN diet for four days and then were transitioned to one of 15 isonitrogenous test diets differing solely in arginine concentration. Using isotopic tracer methods, the rates of creatine and protein synthesis in various organs and tissues will be used to conduct breakpoint analysis to determine the arginine level that optimizes each outcome, providing a physiological hierarchy for whole body arginine needs. The result of the study, in a relevant pre-clinical model, will provide important insight into the arginine requirements for PN-fed infants in the clinical setting.

All are welcome to attend. Please mark your calendars and join us for these exciting presentations.

Best regards,

Presented by Department of Human Biosciences

Event Listing 2025-12-01 13:00:00 2025-12-01 14:00:00 America/St_Johns Sulfated Polysaccharides from Atlantic Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) and their Biological Function and Defining Requirements for the Conditionally Indispensable Amino Acid Arginine in Parenterally Fed Newborn Piglets Hello Everyone, You are warmly invited to attend the upcoming seminar on Monday, December 1st, 2025. Please find the details below. December 1st, 2025 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CSF-1302 The direct link for the meeting is: https://mun.webex.com/mun/j.php?MTID=m5ba6790f02aafe2e41f04228620b0358 Speaker: Abu Saeid Title: Sulfated polysaccharides from Atlantic Sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) and their biological function Abstract: Sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) is a marine invertebrate rich in bioactive sulfated polysaccharides (SPs), primarily fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FCS) and fucan sulfate (FS), which exhibit potent antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-thrombotic, and anticancer properties. Despite their potentials, conventional extraction methods are often time-consuming, solventintensive, and costly, restricting their large-scale applications. Moreover, the potential of sea cucumber by-products, such as internal organs and the floral part, as alternative sources of SPs remains largely unexplored, leading to significant underutilization of valuable biomass. In addition, the detailed structure–function relationship of these SPs is still not well understood, particularly how extraction methods influence their molecular characteristics and bioactivities. Recent advancements in green extraction technologies, including high-pressure processing (HPP) and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction, offer promising opportunities to improve yield, efficiency, and functional properties while supporting environmental sustainability. This study hypothesizes that C. frondosa and its by-products represent sustainable sources of SPs, and that HPP and ultrasound-assisted extraction using papain enzyme can enhance both yield and bioactivities by preserving critical structural features. The objectives of this investigation are to optimize extraction processes, characterize the extracted SPs using FTIR, NMR, and HPLC, and evaluate their antioxidant and bioactive properties through in vitro assays. The findings will advance the understanding of the structure–function relationship of SPs, promote eco-friendly extraction technologies, and support the valorization of sea cucumber by-products, thereby contributing to sustainable marine resource utilization and the development of health-promoting products. Speaker: Kaitlyn Gatherall Title: Defining Requirements for the Conditionally Indispensable Amino Acid Arginine in Parenterally Fed Newborn Piglets Abstract: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is an important nutritional management strategy for premature and sick infants who cannot tolerate feeding into the gastrointestinal tract. PN delivers all known essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream. However, the optimal concentration of many nutrients has not yet been established. Arginine, a conditionally essential amino acid, is particularly critical for neonates and preterm infants, as the use of low arginine PN has resulted in life-threatening hyperammonemia. Arginine is necessary for urea cycle maintenance, and serves as a precursor for creatine, nitric oxide, and protein synthesis. Although critical for normal infant growth and development, the optimal arginine concentration in PN solutions remains unclear, and commercial products vary widely in arginine content. We have conducted a study to evaluate the arginine requirements for PN-fed neonates. Yucatan miniature piglets received a standard PN diet for four days and then were transitioned to one of 15 isonitrogenous test diets differing solely in arginine concentration. Using isotopic tracer methods, the rates of creatine and protein synthesis in various organs and tissues will be used to conduct breakpoint analysis to determine the arginine level that optimizes each outcome, providing a physiological hierarchy for whole body arginine needs. The result of the study, in a relevant pre-clinical model, will provide important insight into the arginine requirements for PN-fed infants in the clinical setting. All are welcome to attend. Please mark your calendars and join us for these exciting presentations. Best regards, CSF-1302 Department of Human Biosciences