Topic 6: Marines und polares Leben

Forschungsbereich 3: Marine Ökologie
FE Marine Naturstoffchemie

Büro:
Gebäude 5 (ENB), Raum: 2.423
Tel.: +49 431 600-4425
E-Mail: bmabate(at)geomar.de

Adresse:
GEOMAR Zentrum für Marine Biotechnologie (GEOMAR-Biotech)
Wischhofstrasse 1-3 | 24148 Kiel | Germany

Research interests:

Natural (Bioproducts) valorisation 

My research focuses on the extraction, characterization, and valorisation of natural bioproducts, particularly on marine natural product chemistry. By exploring the unique chemical diversity of marine organisms, I aim to uncover bioactive compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture. My work integrates sustainable and environmentally conscious methodologies promoting the blue circular economy.

Academic positions:

Postdoctoral researcher at GEOMAR since January 2025

Postdoctoral researcher: Rhodes University, South Africa (May 2022-Dec 2024)

Part-time Biochemistry Lecturer: Rhodes University (Feb 2023-Dec 2024)

Projects:

INNOVA - Innovative approaches for the cultivation of Ulva in open waters, valorisation of its biomass, climate and social benefits

Duration: 01.01.2025 – 31.12.2027

Selected publications

Mabate, B., Daub, C. D., Malgas, S., Pletschke, B. I (2025). Characterisation of Sargassum elegans fucoidans extracted using different technologies: linking their structure to α-glucosidase inhibition. Algal Research, 85, 103885, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2024.103885

Grobler, C., Mabate, B., Prins, A., Le Roes-Hill, M., Pletschke, B. I. (2024). Expression, purification, and characterisation of recombinant alginate lyase (Flammeovirga AL2) for the bioconversion of alginate into alginate oligosaccharides. Molecules, 26;29(23):5578. doi: 10.3390/molecules29235578

Mabate, B & Pletschke, B. (2023). Sequential and enzyme-assisted extraction of algal bioproducts from Ecklonia maxima. Enzyme Microbial Technology, 173, 110364, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2023.110364

Mabate, B., Daub, C. D., Pletschke, B. I., Edkins, A. L. (2023). Comparative Analyses of Fucoidans from South African Brown Seaweeds That Inhibit Adhesion, Migration, and Long-Term Survival of Colorectal Cancer Cells. Marine Drugs, 21(4), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21040203

Mabate, B.; Daub, C.D.; Malgas, S.; Edkins, A.L.; Pletschke, B.I. (2021). Combination therapy for Type 2 diabetes-related enzymes using Ecklonia radiata fucoidan and acarbose. Pharmaceutics, 13,11; https://doi. org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13111979

Mabate, B.; Daub, C.D.; Malgas, S.; Edkins, A.L.; Pletschke, B.I. Fucoidan Structure. Its Impact on Glucose Metabolism: Implications for Diabetes and Cancer Therapy. Marine Drugs, 2021, 19, 30, https://doi. org/10.3390/md19010030

Mabate, B., Daub, C.D., Malgas, S. and Pletschke, B.I. (2020). Kelp extract and their pharmaceutical properties. Atlas of Science (https: /atlasofscience.org/kelp extracts-and-their-pharmaceutical properties/more-30415)

Daub, C.D., Mabate, B., Malgas, S., Pletschke, B.I. (2020) Fucoidan from Ecklo nia maxima is a powerful inhibitor of the diabetes-related enzyme, α-glucosidase. I nternational Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 151412420, https://doi. org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.02.161.

Selected conferences

Mabate B., Daub, C. D., Edkins, A. L., Pletschke, B. I. The biological activity of bioproducts extracted from South African brown algae. International Seaweed Symposium (ISS). Tasmania, Australia (19 – 23 February 2023).

Mabate B., Daub, C. D., Edkins, A. L., Pletschke, B. I. Fucoidan, a bioproduct from brown algae, can be used in combination with acarbose to inhibit the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) related enzyme α-glucosidase. 33rd Congress of the Phycological Society of Southern Africa. The Dunes, Arniston (23 – 27 January 2023).

Mabate, B., Daub, C.D., Malgas, S., Edkins, A. L and Pletschke, B. I. Relevance of brown seaweed fucoidans as therapeutics for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer progression. The South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference University of Pretoria (23-26 January 2022).