Mariculture potential of renieramycin-producing Philippine blue sponge Xestospongia sp. (Porifera: Haplosclerida)

Open-sea mariculture of the Philippine blue sponge Xestospongia sp. was established as a route for the production of the biomedically-important renieramycins. We assessed the effects of harvesting regime, culture period or periodicity, sponge translocation and farming methods to sponge survival, sponge growth, chemistry and bioactivity of sponge extracts. During the 12-month culture, sponge growth, renieramycin M content and antiproliferative activity of sponge extracts showed significant differences, depending on the culture period and location. Growth and renieramycin biosynthesis were minimally affected by temperature and may be driven by thermal-independent processes in the coral reef. Multiple harvesting of Xestospongia sp. was also favorable to growth and consequently, provided higher biomass and renieramycin M yields.