1. Jellyfish mucus-derived organic matter as a source of labile nutrients for the ambient microbial communityNathan Hubot, Sarah L.C. Giering, Neža Orel, Katja Klun, Gerhard J. Herndl, Felix Hohaus, Cathy H. Lucas, Tinkara Tinta, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Jellyfish are increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to marine organic matter (OM) on a global scale, with implications for ecosystem dynamics. While the role of jellyfish detritus in microbial nutrient cycling has been explored, the contribution of OM released by live jellyfish—primarily as mucus (hereinafter referred to as mucusassociated OM, or MAOM)—remains understudied. This study investigates the release of organic and inorganic nutrients through MAOM from live jellyfish and their effects on ambient microbial communities in the northern Adriatic Sea using a series of leaching and short-term microcosm experiments. Our results show that per gram of MAOM dry weight from the jellyfish Aurelia spp, approximatively 2 µmol of phosphate, 4 µmol of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, 18 µmol dissolved organic nitrogen, 134 µmol of dissolved organic carbon and 15 µmol of dissolved free amino acids can be released in the ambient seawater in 24 h. Almost half of the OM is released as dissolved OM (DOM), of which a substantial part is low molecular weight (<1 kDa) molecules. During the first 20 h, the DOM fraction of MAOM was rapidly consumed by the ambient microbial community without a corresponding increase in biomass, likely due to nitrogen limitation. In the subsequent 22 h, microbial growth accelerated to 0.19 ± 0.03 h−1 until phosphate became limiting, leading to a sharp decline in microbial production. Our metagenomics analysis revealed that the MAOM-degrading microbial community, dominated by Gammaproteobacteria opportunistic copiotrophs, exhibited increased functional capacity for nutrient assimilation and OM degradation, particularly in the transport and metabolism of amino acids (particularly glycine and taurine) and phosphorus. These traits mirror those found in detritus-degrading microbial communities, suggesting that jellyfish blooms promote the emergence of specialized microbial consortia with shared metabolic capabilities. Taken together, our findings highlight that live jellyfish, through the release of OM, play an active and previously underappreciated role in shaping ambient microbial community dynamics and nutrient fluxes in marine systems affected by jellyfish blooms.
Ključne besede: jellyfish, bacteria, biogeochemistry, metagenome
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 02.03.2026; Ogledov: 480; Prenosov: 50
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2. Down the drain: exploring wastewater’s role in coastal microbiome transformationsNeža Orel, Eduard Fadeev, Mauro Celussi, Valentina Turk, Katja Klun, Leila Afjehi-Sadat, Gerhard J. Herndl, Tinkara Tinta, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background Many coastal ecosystems worldwide are impacted by wastewater discharges, which introduce nutrients, pollutants, and allochthonous microbes that can alter microbiome composition and function. Although the severity and distribution of these impacts vary across regions, their potential consequences for key ecological processes remain a concern. The resilience and functional adaptability of native coastal microbiomes are still poorly understood. To study the immediate ecological impact of wastewater discharge on a coastal seawater microbiome, we conducted short-term microcosm experiments, exposing a coastal microbiome to two types of treated wastewater: (i) unfiltered wastewater containing nutrients, pollutants, and allochthonous microbes; and (ii) filtered wastewater containing only nutrients and pollutants. Results By integrating multi-omics and metabolic assays, we show that wastewater-derived organic matter and nutrients (mostly ammonia and phosphate) did not alter the taxonomic composition of the coastal microbiota, but triggered reorganization of metabolic pathways in them. We observed enhanced metabolism of proteins, amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, particularly of the lineages Alteromonadales, Rhodobacterales, and Flavobacteriales. Glaciecola (Alteromonadales), a copiotroph with antagonistic traits, significantly contributed to these shifts. Conversely, allochthonous taxa like Legionellales and Pseudomonadales had minimal impact. Elevated phosphorus concentrations resulting from wastewater input reduced the synthesis of proteins linked to scavenging phosphorus from organic phosphorus compounds, including alkaline phosphatase activity in native Rhodobacterales and Flavobacteriales, with important ecological implications for phosphorus-depleted coastal ecosystems. Furthermore, the presence of wastewater caused a decline in relative abundance and metabolic activity of Synechococcus, potentially affecting carbon cycling. Yet, the coastal microbiome rapidly respired wastewater-derived dissolved organic carbon, resulting in bacterial growth efficiencies consistent with global coastal averages. Conclusions Our findings highlight the capacity of coastal microbiomes to withstand wastewater discharge, with critical implications for assessment of anthropogenic perturbations in coastal ecosystems. However, wastewater-driven changes in metabolic functions and niche utilization within the autochthonous microbial community, impacting phosphorus cycling and potentially affecting carbon cycling, may have long-term consequences for ecosystem functioning.
Ključne besede: wastewater, microorganisms, metagenomics, metaproteomics
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Ogledov: 205; Prenosov: 179
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3. Marine cosmetics and the blue bioeconomy : from sourcing to success storiesAna Rotter, Despoina Varamogianni-Mamatsi, Alenka Zvonar Pobirk, Mirjam Gosenca Matjaž, Mercedes Cueto, Ana R. Díaz Marrero, Maja Berden Zrimec, Ernesta Grigalionyte-Bembič, Katja Klun, Luen Zidar, Špela Baebler, Lada Lukić-Bilela, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: As the global population continues to grow, so does the demand for longer, healthier lives and environmentally responsible choices. Consumers are increasingly drawn to naturally sourced products with proven health and wellbeing benefits. The marine environment presents a promising yet underexplored resource for the cosmetics industry, offering bioactive compounds with the potential for safe and biocompatible ingredients. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the potential of marine organisms for cosmetics production, highlighting marine-derived compounds and their applications in skin/hair/oral-care products, cosmeceuticals and more. It also lays down critical safety considerations and addresses the methodologies for sourcing marine compounds, including harvesting, the biorefinery concept, use of systems biology for enhanced product development, and the relevant regulatory landscape. The review is enriched by three case studies: design of macroalgal skincare products in Iceland, establishment of a microalgal cosmetics spin-off in Italy, and the utilization of marine proteins for cosmeceutical applications.
Ključne besede: bioactive compounds, cosmeceuticals, marine organisms, naturally sourced, biorefinery, cosmetics, marine biotechnology, natural product chemistry
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 04.12.2024; Ogledov: 1119; Prenosov: 1894
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4. Chemical composition of JF mucus : Deliverable No. ǂD5.2Katja Klun, Rasa Slizyte, 2021, elaborat, predštudija, študija Povzetek: In order to better understand the functionality and composition of jellyfish mucus for biofilter application in microplastic entrapment within WP5, we performed various chemical and biochemical analysis. Altogether, we analyzed nine jellyfish mucus samples from six species (Aurelia aurita sp, Aequorea forskalea, Rhizostoma pulmo, Cotylorhiza tuberculata, Periphylla peryphilla and Rhopilema nomadica). Jellyfish were harvested in five different areas: Norwegian Sea, Northern Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, Eastern Mediterranean Sea and at the Jerusalem Aquarium. Basic chemical analysis such as protein, carbohydrate, organic content and amino acid analysis were done on unprocessed freeze dried jellyfish mucus (U-mucus). A more in-depth analysis was done on ethanol extracted (P-mucus) mucus (on all mentioned mucuses except from A. forskalea) by applying amino acid and monosaccharide analysis as well as structural analysis with FTIR spectroscopy, 13C NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS/MS for protein analysis.
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.09.2024; Ogledov: 1074; Prenosov: 1562
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5. Chemical composition and egg production capacity throughout bloom development of ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the northern Adriatic SeaKevin Rečnik, Katja Klun, Lovrenc Lipej, Alenka Malej, Tinkara Tinta, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: High abundances of gelatinous zooplankton (GZ) can significantly impact marine
ecosystem by acting as both sink and source of organic matter (OM) and nutrients.
The decay of GZ bloom can introduce significant amount of OM to the ocean interior,
with its variability influenced by GZ life traits and environmental factors, impacting
microbial communities vital to marine biogeochemical cycles. The invasive ctenophores
Mnemiopsis leidyi has formed massive blooms in the northern Adriatic Sea since
2016. However, the variability in the chemical composition and egg production of
blooming populations, as well as the role of environmental factors in governing this
variability, remains largely unknown. Our analysis of biometry, chemical composition,
and fecundity of M. leidyi sampled in the Gulf of Trieste in 2021 revealed stable carbon
and nitrogen content throughout bloom development, with no significant correlation
with seawater temperature, salinity, oxygen, and chlorophyll a concentration. Although
the studied population exhibited homogeneity in terms of biometry and chemical
composition, the number of produced eggs varied substantially, showing no clear
correlation with environmental variables and being somewhat lower than previously
reported for the study area and other Mediterranean areas. We observed a positive
correlation between the wet weight of individuals and the percentage of hatched eggs,
as well as a significant positive correlation between the percentage of hatched eggs
and ambient seawater temperature. Additionally, we noted that the speed of hatching
decreased with decreasing seawater temperature in autumn, corresponding to the end
of M. leidyi bloom.
Ključne besede: ctenophore, biogeochemistry, egg production capacity, invasive species, chemical composition, marine ecology
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 29.08.2024; Ogledov: 1192; Prenosov: 1115
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6. A new tool for faster construction of marine biotechnology collaborative networksAna Rotter, Susana P. Gaudêncio, Katja Klun, Jan-Niklas Macher, Olivier Thomas, Irem Deniz, Christine Edwards, Ernesta Grigalionyte-Bembič, Z. Ljubešić, Johan Robbens, Giovanna Cristina Varese, Marlen I. Vasquez, 2021, drugi znanstveni članki Povzetek: The increasing and rapid development in technologies, infrastructures, computational power, data availability and information flow has enabled rapid scientific advances. These entail transdisciplinary collaborations that maximize sharing of data and knowledge and, consequently, results, and possible technology transfer. However, in emerging scientific fields it is sometimes difficult to provide all necessary expertise within existing collaborative circles. This is especially true for marine biotechnology that directly addresses global societal challenges. This article describes the creation of a platform dedicated to facilitating the formation of short or mid-term collaborative networks in marine biotechnology. This online platform (https://www.ocean4biotech.eu/map/) enables experts (researchers and members of the marine biotechnology community in general) to have the possibility to showcase their expertise with the aim of being integrated into new collaborations/consortia on the one hand, or to use it as a search tool to complement the expertise in planned/running collaborations, on the other. The platform was created within the Ocean4Biotech (European transdisciplinary networking platform for marine biotechnology) Action, funded under the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). To build the platform, an inquiry was developed to identify experts in marine biotechnology and its adjunct fields, to define their expertise, to highlight their infrastructures and facilities and to pinpoint the main bottlenecks in this field. The inquiry was open to all experts in the broad field of marine biotechnology, including non-members of the consortium. The inquiry (https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/single/UKVsBNtD) remains open for insertion of additional expertise and the resulting interactive map can be used as a display and search tool for establishing new collaborations.
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Ogledov: 1089; Prenosov: 841
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7. Jellyfish-associated microbiome in the marine environment : exploring its biotechnological potentialTinkara Tinta, Tjaša Kogovšek, Katja Klun, Alenka Malej, Gerhard J. Herndl, Valentina Turk, 2019, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Despite accumulating evidence of the importance of the jellyfish-associated microbiome to jellyfish, its potential relevance to blue biotechnology has only recently been recognized. In this review, we emphasize the biotechnological potential of host–microorganism systems and focus on gelatinous zooplankton as a host for the microbiome with biotechnological potential. The basic characteristics of jellyfish-associated microbial communities, the mechanisms underlying the jellyfish-microbe relationship, and the role/function of the jellyfish-associated microbiome and its biotechnological potential are reviewed. It appears that the jellyfish-associated microbiome is discrete from the microbial community in the ambient seawater, exhibiting a certain degree of specialization with some preferences for specific jellyfish taxa and for specific jellyfish populations, life stages, and body parts. In addition, different sampling approaches and methodologies to study the phylogenetic diversity of the jellyfish-associated microbiome are described and discussed. Finally, some general conclusions are drawn from the existing literature and future research directions are highlighted on the jellyfish-associated microbiome.
Ključne besede: Cnidaria, Ctenophora, biodiversity, bioactive compounds, microbial communities, blue biotechnology
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Ogledov: 1207; Prenosov: 1065
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8. Between source and sea : the role of wastewater treatment in reducing marine microplasticsShirra Freeman, Andy M. Booth, Isam Sabbah, Rachel Tiller, Jan Dierking, Katja Klun, Ana Rotter, Eric Ben David, Jamileh Javidpour, Dror Angel, 2020, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a focal point for the removal of microplastic (MP) particles before they are discharged into aquatic environments. WWTPs are capable of removing substantial quantities of larger MP particles but are inefficient in removing particles with any one dimension of less than 100 μm, with influents and effluents tending to have similar quantities of these smaller particles. As a single WWTP may release >100 billion MP particles annually, collectively WWTPs are significant contributors to the problem of MP pollution of global surface waters. Currently, there are no policies or regulations requiring the removal of MPs during wastewater treatment, but as concern about MP pollution grows, the potential for wastewater technologies to capture particles before they reach surface waters has begun to attract attention. There are promising technologies in various stages of development that may improve the removal of MP particles from wastewater. Better incentivization could speed up the research, development and adoption of innovative practices. This paper describes the current state of knowledge regarding MPs, wastewater and relevant policies that could influence the development and deployment of new technologies within WWTPs. We review existing technologies for capturing very small MP particles and examine new developments that may have the potential to overcome the shortcomings of existing methods. The types of collaborations needed to encourage and incentivize innovation within the wastewater sector are also discussed, specifically strong partnerships among scientific and engineering researchers, industry stakeholders, and policy decision makers.
Ključne besede: wastewater, microplastic, particle removal, innovation, policy, jellyfish mucus
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Ogledov: 1617; Prenosov: 1926
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9. Valorization of marine waste : use of industrial by-products and beach wrack towards the production of high added-value productsVita Rudovica, Ana Rotter, Susana P. Gaudêncio, Lucie Novoveská, Füsun Akgül, Linn Kristin Akslen-Hoel, Diogo A. M. Alexandrino, Olga Anne, Lauris Arbidans, Miroslava Atanassova, Magdalena Bełdowska, Jacek Bełdowski, Amit Bhatnagar, Oskars Bikovens, Katja Klun, 2021, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Biomass is defined as organic matter from living organisms represented in all kingdoms. It is recognized to be an excellent source of proteins, polysaccharides and lipids and, as such, embodies a tailored feedstock for new products and processes to apply in green industries. The industrial processes focused on the valorization of terrestrial biomass are well established, but marine sources still represent an untapped resource. Oceans and seas occupy over 70% of the Earth’s surface and are used intensively in worldwide economies through the fishery industry, as logistical routes, for mining ores and exploitation of fossil fuels, among others. All these activities produce waste. The other source of unused biomass derives from the beach wrack or washed-ashore organic material, especially in highly eutrophicated marine ecosystems. The development of high-added-value products from these side streams has been given priority in recent years due to the detection of a broad range of biopolymers, multiple nutrients and functional compounds that could find applications for human consumption or use in livestock/pet food, pharmaceutical and other industries. This review comprises a broad thematic approach in marine waste valorization, addressing the main achievements in marine biotechnology for advancing the circular economy, ranging from bioremediation applications for pollution treatment to energy and valorization for biomedical applications. It also includes a broad overview of the valorization of side streams in three selected case study areas: Norway, Scotland, and the Baltic Sea.
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Ogledov: 1027; Prenosov: 876
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10. The importance of jellyfish-microbe interactions for biogeochemical cycles in the oceanTinkara Tinta, Katja Klun, Gerhard J. Herndl, 2021, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Jellyfish blooms can represent a significant but largely overlooked source of organic matter (OM), in particular at the local and regional scale. We provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the bloom-forming jellyfish as sink and source of OM for microorganisms. In particularly, we compare the composition, concentration, and release rates of the OM excreted by living jellyfish with the OM stored within jellyfish biomass, which becomes available to the ocean's interior only once jellyfish decay. We discuss how these two stoichiometrically different jelly-OM pools might influence the dynamics of microbial community and the surrounding ecosystem. We conceptualize routes of jelly-OM in the ocean, focusing on different envisioned fates of detrital jelly-OM. In this conceptual framework, we revise possible interactions between different jelly-OM pools and microbes and highlight major knowledge gaps to be addressed in the future.
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Ogledov: 1003; Prenosov: 855
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