Microalgal food supplements from the perspective of Polish consumers: patterns of use, adverse events, and beneficial effects

Adipokine modulation in obesity: Evaluating the integrative impact of chlorella vulgaris supplementation and interval resistance training in obese males

Aims

To evaluate the effects of 12-week chlorella vulgaris (CV) combined with interval resistance training (IRT) on plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin and neuregulin-4 (Nrg-4) in obese men.

Methods

Obese men (n = 44, BMI of 32.1 ± 1.5 kg/m2) were randomly allocated to the following groups of 11 participants per group: Control Placebo group (CP), CV supplement group (CV), Interval Resistance Training group plus Placebo (IRT + P), and Interval Resistance Training plus CV supplement group (IRT + CV). IRT was performed three times a week for 12 weeks using three sets of 10 repetitions at 60 % 1RM, and integrating an active rest interval with 15 repetitions at 20 % 1RM. Participants consumed either CV (1800 mg daily) or a placebo. Pre- and post-intervention blood samples were obtained to assess adipokines which were measured by ELISA.

Results

While CV or IRT separately did not alter plasma levels of leptin (p > 0.05), their combination reduced leptin levels (p = 0.007). IRT and IRT plus CV increased the plasma levels of adiponectin and Nrg-4 (p < 0.01). An intergroup comparison indicated significant elevations of adiponectin and Nrg-4 in the CV compared to the CP group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The combination of IRT and CV modulates plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin and NRG4 more effectively than either IRT or CV separately in obese men.

Cyanotoxins in food: Exposure assessment and health impact

The intricate nature of cyanotoxin exposure through food reveals a complex web of risks and uncertainties in our dietary choices. With the aim of starting to unravel this intricate nexus, a comprehensive review of 111 papers from the past two decades investigating cyanotoxin contamination in food was undertaken. It revealed a widespread occurrence of cyanotoxins in diverse food sources across 31 countries. Notably, 68% of the studies reported microcystin concentrations exceeding established Tolerable Daily Intake levels. Cyanotoxins were detected in muscles of many fish species, and while herbivorous fish exhibited the highest recorded concentration, omnivorous species displayed a higher propensity for cyanotoxin accumulation, exemplified by Oreochromis niloticus. Beyond fish, crustaceans and bivalves emerged as potent cyanotoxin accumulators. Gaps persist regarding contamination of terrestrial and exotic animals and their products, necessitating further exploration. Plant contamination under natural conditions remains underreported, yet evidence underscores irrigation-driven cyanotoxin accumulation, particularly affecting leafy vegetables. Finally, cyanobacterial-based food supplements often harbored cyanotoxins (57 % of samples were positive) warranting heightened scrutiny, especially for Aphanizomenon flos-aquae-based products. Uncertainties surround precise concentrations due to methodological variations (chemical and biochemical) and extraction limitations, along with the enigmatic fate of toxins during storage, processing, and digestion. Nonetheless, potential health consequences of cyanotoxin exposure via contaminated food include gastrointestinal and neurological disorders, organ damage (e.g. liver, kidneys, muscles), and even elevated cancer risks. While microcystins received significant attention, knowledge gaps persist regarding other cyanotoxins' accumulation, exposure, and effects, as well as combined exposure via multiple pathways. Intriguing and complex, cyanotoxin exposure through food beckons further research for our safer and healthier diets.

Comparison between the American and the European Systems of Monitoring Adverse Effects of Dietary Supplements and Their Usefulness on the Polish Market

Many Polish patients do not inform physicians about supplements they use in addition to prescribed medicines. This may be because they consider dietary supplements as being rather natural products that cannot cause health problems. Although dietary supplements may produce side effects, Poland's food safety system and medical statistics do not recognise the necessity of reporting such cases. However, a different approach is observed in France and the United States where adverse effects of food supplements as well as drugs are reported. The aim of this study was to determine the need for creating in Poland a general model of a register monitoring dietary supplements and their adverse effects. In order to achieve this goal, a detailed comparison between the American and European monitoring systems was made. It showed the relationship between negative symptoms caused by specific components in supplements and t profiles of patients who reported side effects. Additionally, it was found that there is a real risk associated with side effects caused by dietary supplements. Therefore, it necessary to establish in Poland a special system for recording such cases as it should be beneficial to patients, including polypragmatic patients.

Vegan nutrition: a preliminary guide for health professionals

Since the beginning of the 21st century, interest in vegan diets has been rapidly increasing in most countries. Misconceptions about vegan diets are widespread among the general population and health professionals. Vegan diets can be health-promoting and may offer certain important advantages compared to typical Western (and other mainstream) eating patterns. However, adequate dietary sources/supplements of nutrients of focus specific to vegan diets should be identified and communicated. Without supplements/fortified foods, severe vitamin B12 deficiency may occur. Other potential nutrients of focus are calcium, vitamin D, iodine, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, and protein. Ensuring adequate nutrient status is particularly important during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, and childhood. Health professionals are often expected to be able to provide advice on the topic of vegan nutrition, but a precise and practical vegan nutrition guide for health professionals is lacking. Consequently, it is important and urgent to provide such a set of dietary recommendations. It is the aim of this article to provide vegan nutrition guidelines, based on current evidence, which can easily be communicated to vegan patients/clients, with the goal of ensuring adequate nutrient status in vegans.

Algae as Food in Europe: An Overview of Species Diversity and Their Application

Algae have been consumed for millennia in several parts of the world as food, food supplements, and additives, due to their unique organoleptic properties and nutritional and health benefits. Algae are sustainable sources of proteins, minerals, and fiber, with well-balanced essential amino acids, pigments, and fatty acids, among other relevant metabolites for human nutrition. This review covers the historical consumption of algae in Europe, developments in the current European market, challenges when introducing new species to the market, bottlenecks in production technology, consumer acceptance, and legislation. The current algae species that are consumed and commercialized in Europe were investigated, according to their status under the European Union (EU) Novel Food legislation, along with the market perspectives in terms of the current research and development initiatives, while evaluating the interest and potential in the European market. The regular consumption of more than 150 algae species was identified, of which only 20% are approved under the EU Novel Food legislation, which demonstrates that the current legislation is not broad enough and requires an urgent update. Finally, the potential of the European algae market growth was indicated by the analysis of the trends in research, technological advances, and market initiatives to promote algae commercialization and consumption.

Emotion regulation and drunkorexia behaviors among Lebanese adults: the indirect effects of positive and negative metacognition

BACKGROUND

Although metacognition processes are a core feature of restrictive eating and alcohol cravings and entail an individual to control both of his/her emotions and thoughts, yet, to our knowledge, a scarcity of research has examined their potential role in drunkorexia as cognitive and emotional predictors. The following study investigates the different associations between two emotion regulation strategies (i.e. emotional suppression and cognitive reappraisal) and drunkorexia behaviors in a sample of Lebanese adults, exploring the possible indirect effects of positive and negative alcohol-related metacognitions.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 335 participants (March-July 2021).

RESULTS

Higher problematic alcohol use (beta = 5.56), higher physical activity index (beta = 0.08), higher expressive suppression (beta = 0.23), higher negative metacognitive beliefs about cognitive harm due to drinking (beta = 0.75) and higher cognitive reappraisal (beta = 0.20) were significantly associated with more drunkorexic behaviors. The positive metacognitive beliefs about cognitive self-regulation significantly mediated the association between cognitive reappraisal and drunkorexia behaviors. Both the positive metacognitive beliefs about cognitive self-regulation and the negative metacognitive beliefs about the uncontrollability of drinking significantly mediated the association between expressive suppression and drunkorexia behaviors.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that emotional and metacognitive processes are associated with drunkorexia, addressing as well the mediating effect between deficient emotional regulation and risky behavioral patterns. Overall, our results would speculate that the lack of emotional and cognitive assets might enhance internal distress perceived out of control, leading individuals to indulge in maladaptive behavioral patterns for managing the underlying impairment.

Drunkorexia behaviors and motives, eating attitudes and mental health in Lebanese alcohol drinkers: a path analysis model

BACKGROUND

Drunkorexia refers to limited intake of high-calorie food to avert gaining weight and the need to increase in alcohol excessive consumption. The present study aimed to check for an association between depression, anxiety, and stress with drunkorexia behaviors/motives among Lebanese adults, while evaluating the mediating role of inappropriate eating attitude in those associations.

METHODS

Two hundred and fifty-eight participants enrolled in this cross-sectional study, who filled an online survey (September-December 2020).

RESULTS

Drunkorexia behaviors were considered as the dependent variable; the path coefficients from stress to anxiety, from anxiety to eating attitudes, from eating attitudes to drunkorexia behaviors and from anxiety to drunkorexia behaviors were all significant. The indirect relationships showed that eating attitudes mediated the association between anxiety and drunkorexia behaviors. When taking the drunkorexia motives as the dependent variable, the path coefficients from stress to anxiety, from anxiety to eating attitudes, from eating attitudes to drunkorexia motives, and from anxiety to drunkorexia motives were all significant. The indirect relationships showed that eating attitudes mediated the association between anxiety and drunkorexia motives.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted that individuals with more psychological problems (depression, anxiety, and stress) and inappropriate eating habits exhibit more drunkorexic motivations and behaviors.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, Cross-sectional study.

Multifunctional Therapeutic Potential of Phytocomplexes and Natural Extracts for Antimicrobial Properties

Natural products have been known for their antimicrobial factors since time immemorial. Infectious diseases are a worldwide burden that have been deteriorating because of the improvement of species impervious to various anti-infection agents. Hence, the distinguishing proof of antimicrobial specialists with high-power dynamic against MDR microorganisms is central to conquer this issue. Successful treatment of infection involves the improvement of new drugs or some common source of novel medications. Numerous naturally occurring antimicrobial agents can be of plant origin, animal origin, microbial origin, etc. Many plant and animal products have antimicrobial activities due to various active principles, secondary metabolites, or phytochemicals like alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, essential oils, flavonoids, lectins, phagocytic cells, and many other organic constituents. Phytocomplexes' antimicrobial movement frequently results from a few particles acting in cooperative energy, and the clinical impacts might be because of the direct effects against microorganisms. The restorative plants that may furnish novel medication lead the antimicrobial movement. The purpose of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the phytocomplexes and natural extracts of the plants that are ordinarily being utilized as conventional medications and then recommended the chance of utilizing them in drugs for the treatment of multiple drug-resistant disease.

Oxidation of Terpenoids to Achieve High-Value Flavor and Fragrances—Questioning Microalgae Oxidative Capabilities in the Biotransformation of the Sesquiterpene Valencene and of Selected Natural Apocarotenoids

Natural flavor and fragrance market size is expected to grow steadily due to the rising consumer demand of natural ingredients. This market request is guided by the general opinion that the production of natural compounds leads to a reduction of pollution, with inherent advantages for the environment and people’s health. The biotransformation reactions have gained high relevance in the production of natural products. In this context, few pieces of research have described the role of microalgae in the oxidation of terpenoids. In this present study, we questioned the role of microalgal based oxidation in the synthesis of high-value flavors and fragrances. This study investigated the role of three different microalgae strains, Chlorella sp. (211.8b and 211.8p) and Chlorococcum sp. (JB3), in the oxidation of different terpenoid substrates: α-ionone, β-ionone, theaspirane and valencene. Unfortunately, the experimental data showed that the microalgal strains used are not responsible for the substrate oxidation. In fact, our experiments demonstrate that the transformation of the four starting compounds is a photochemical reaction that involves the oxygen as oxidant. Even though these findings cast a shadow on the use of these microorganisms for an industrial purpose, they open a new possible strategy to easily obtain nootkatone in a natural way by just using an aqueous medium, oxygen and light.

Vegetarianism and type 1 diabetes in children

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin secretion. T1D management rests on three pillars: insulin therapy, correct diet and physical exercise. The aim is to focus the attention on diet and mainly on vegetarian diet, in order to evaluate if this kind of food style can offer the correct supply of nutrients, necessary for growth and well control glycaemic management. This paper is a short commentary on vegetarianism in the pediatric and adolescent population with Type 1 Diabetes. In all non-omnivorous diets there is a risk of a lack of some nutrients, as B12 vitamin and n 3 fatty acids which must therefore be measured. It is also important to monitor eating disorders especially in adolescent girls. About vegan diet, attention must be paid to the possible injury on growth brain already at risk, in diabetic children compared to the general population, due to insults related to frequent glucose variability (periods of prolonged hyperglycaemia alternating with hypoglycaemic episodes).

In conclusion, vegetarian diet could be suitable for children with type 1 diabetes; vegan diet could be too restrictive but with appropriate additions can be followed by these patients.

Drunkorexia and Emotion Regulation and Emotion Regulation Difficulties: The Mediating Effect of Disordered Eating Attitudes

Drunorexia refers to food calorie intake restriction to prevent weight gain and the desire to enhance the more extensive intoxicating effects of alcohol. The present study aimed to investigate the association of drunkorexia with emotion regulation as well as emotion regulation difficulties across the Lebanese population, and assess disordered eating attitudes as a potential mediator of these relationships. The cross-sectional study enrolled participants (n = 258) from all Lebanese districts. The study was performed through an online survey based on a self-designed and structured questionnaire. The Drunkorexia Motives and Behaviors Scales (DMBS), the College Life Alcohol Salience Scale (CLASS), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) were used in the present study. The results showed that higher EAT-26 total scores (more disordered eating attitudes) (B = 0.16) and higher DERS-16 total score (B = 0.30) were significantly associated with more drunkorexia motives. Also, higher EAT-26 total scores (B = 0.09) and higher DERS-16 total score (B = 0.17) were significantly associated with more drunkorexia behaviors. In addition, higher EAT-26 total scores (B = 0.10) and higher DERS-26 total score (B = 0.36) were significantly associated with more drunkorexia fails. Furthermore, higher EAT-26 total scores (B = 0.07), and higher DERS-16 total score (B = 0.37) were significantly associated with more drunkorexia during an alcohol consumption event. Higher EAT-26 total scores (B = 0.09), and higher DERS-16 total score (B = 0.22) were significantly associated with more post-drinking compensation. Higher EAT-26 total scores (B = 0.21), higher DERS-16 total scores (B = 0.65) and higher emotion regulation (B = 0.33) were significantly associated with higher CLASS scores. The results showed that EAT-26 total scores partially mediated the association between DERS-16 total score and drunkorexia motives (25.20%), between DERS-16 total score and drunkorexia behaviors (25.16%), between DERS-16 total score and drunkorexia fails (106.87%), between DERS-16 total score and drunkorexia during an alcohol consumption event (11.84%), between DERS-16 total score and post-drinking compensation (22.55%), between ERQ total score and college life alcohol salience (8.35%) and between DERS-16 total score and college life alcohol salience (20.14%). This study highlighted that only emotional regulation difficulties were associated with drunkorexia, whereas emotional regulation was not significantly associated with such behavior.

Effect of Chlorella vulgaris on Liver Function Biomarkers: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study presents a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) supplementation and liver function biomarkers. Pertinent studies were identified using Scopus, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane library databases up to August 2020. Mean differences were pooled using a random-effects model. Pooling 7 RCTs together showed that C. vulgaris supplementation led to a significant reduction of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (weighted mean difference [WMD], −9.15 U/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], −16.09, −2.21), but not alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels compared to the placebo consumption. Subgroup-analysis indicated that C. vulgaris supplementation had more effect on AST decreasing among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients (WMD, −16.42 U/L; 95% CI, −29.75, −3.09) than others. Furthermore, subgroup analysis based on kind of compression showed that C. vulgaris supplementation significantly decreased ALT levels (WMD, −4.65 U/L; 95% CI, −8.88, −0.42) compared with the placebo, but not metformin consumption. It seems that C. vulgaris supplementation mainly affects AST levels rather than ALT and ALP levels, however, as mentioned the effect of C. vulgaris on those enzymes might be context-dependent. Therefore, further investigations with a large number of patients as well as on different disorders are necessary and can provide more definitive evidence.

Enhancing Sustainability by Improving Plant Salt Tolerance through Macro- and Micro-Algal Biostimulants

Algal biomass, extracts, or derivatives have long been considered a valuable material to bring benefits to humans and cultivated plants. In the last decades, it became evident that algal formulations can induce multiple effects on crops (including an increase in biomass, yield, and quality), and that algal extracts contain a series of bioactive compounds and signaling molecules, in addition to mineral and organic nutrients. The need to reduce the non-renewable chemical input in agriculture has recently prompted an increase in the use of algal extracts as a plant biostimulant, also because of their ability to promote plant growth in suboptimal conditions such as saline environments is beneficial. In this article, we discuss some research areas that are critical for the implementation in agriculture of macro- and microalgae extracts as plant biostimulants. Specifically, we provide an overview of current knowledge and achievements about extraction methods, compositions, and action mechanisms of algal extracts, focusing on salt-stress tolerance. We also outline current limitations and possible research avenues. We conclude that the comparison and the integration of knowledge on the molecular and physiological response of plants to salt and to algal extracts should also guide the extraction procedures and application methods. The effects of algal biostimulants have been mainly investigated from an applied perspective, and the exploitation of different scientific disciplines is still much needed for the development of new sustainable strategies to increase crop tolerance to salt stress.

Polymethoxy-1-Alkenes Screening of Chlorella and Spirulina Food Supplements Coupled with In Vivo Toxicity Studies

Selected species of cyanobacteria and green algae have been reported to produce lipophilic polymethoxy-1-alkenes (PMAs) which were shown to exhibit in vivo teratogenicity. Considering that information on PMAs in Arthospira sp. (known commercially as Spirulina) and Chlorella sp. cultivated for food supplement production was essentially lacking, the present study screened Chlorella (n = 10) and Spirulina (n = 13) food supplements registered in the European Union. Mass spectrometry analysis of column fractionated extracts was performed. None of the four variants previously reported in some cyanobacteria and green algae, nor any potentially related structures were detected in the studied samples. Since the isolated lipophilic fractions contained various compounds, they were further screened for in vivo teratogenicity in Danio rerio embryo, and for the potential to induce oxidative stress and genotoxicity in the liver and neurotoxicity in the brain of adult zebrafish. None of the tested food supplements had detectable levels of PMAs or any potentially related structures. No teratogenicity was revealed except for spinal curvature induced by fractions obtained from two Chlorella products. Selected fractions revealed cytotoxicity as indicated by an increased level of reactive oxygen species, catalase activity, lipid peroxidation and increased frequency of DNA strand breaks in hepatic tissue. The majority (60%) of Chlorella fractions induced an increase in cholinesterase activity in zebrafish brain homogenate while exposure to 61.5% of Spirulina fractions was associated with its decrease. The present study confirms that Chlorella and Spirulina food supplements are free of teratogenic PMAs, although the observed in vivo toxicities raise questions regarding the quality of selected products.

Marine bacteria as source of antimicrobial compounds

The marine environment encompasses a huge biological diversity and can be considered as an underexplored location for prospecting bioactive molecules. In this review, the current state of art about antimicrobial molecules from marine bacteria has been summarized considering the main phylum and sources evolved in a marine environment. Considering the last two decades, we have found as most studied group of bacteria producers of substances with antimicrobial activity is the Firmicutes phylum, in particular strains of the Bacillus genus. The reason for that can be attributed to the difficult cultivation of typical Actinobacteria from a marine sediment, whose members are the major producers of antimicrobial substances in land environments. However, a reversed trend has been observed in recent years with an increasing number of reports settling on Actinobacteria. Great diversity of chemical structures have been identified, such as fijimicyns and lynamicyns from Actinomycetes and macrolactins produced by Bacillus.

Prevalence, Patterns and Self-Perceived Effects of Pornography Consumption in Polish University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

This cross-sectional online survey of Polish students (n = 6463) assessed the frequency and patterns of pornography consumption, its self-perceived effects, the prevalence of self-perceived pornography addiction, and opinions on the potential effects of pornography and its legal status. Nearly 80% of students have been exposed to pornography (median age of first exposure: 14 years). Streaming videos were decidedly the most frequent form of use. In the subset of current users (n = 4260), daily use and self-perceived addiction was reported by 10.7% and 15.5%, respectively. The majority of those surveyed did not report any negative effects of pornography use on their sexual function, sexual, and relationship satisfaction. Instead, over one-quarter of students in relationships reported beneficial effects on its quality. The most common self-perceived adverse effects of pornography use included: the need for longer stimulation (12.0%) and more sexual stimuli (17.6%) to reach orgasm, and a decrease in sexual satisfaction (24.5%). Females and males with a Body Mass Index >25 kg/m2 more often reported a self-perceived decrease in relationship quality associated with pornography use. Age of first exposure was significantly associated with reported need for longer stimulation and more sexual stimuli to reach orgasm when using pornography, decrease in sexual satisfaction, and quality of romantic relationship, neglect of basic needs and duties due to pornography use, and self-perceived addiction in both females and males. The highest odds ratios were always observed for age <12 years in reference to exposure at >16 years. In the opinion of most of the surveyed students, pornography may have adverse effects on human health, although access restrictions should not be implemented. The study gives a broad insight into the pornography consumption in young Polish adults.

Effect of PHRs and PCPs on Microalgal Growth, Metabolism and Microalgae-Based Bioremediation Processes: A Review

In this review, the effect of pharmaceuticals (PHRs) and personal care products (PCPs) on microalgal growth and metabolism is reported. Concentrations of various PHRs and PCPs that cause inhibition and toxicity to growths of different microalgal strains are summarized and compared. The effect of PHRs and PCPs on microalgal metabolism (oxidative stress, enzyme activity, pigments, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, toxins), as well as on the cellular morphology, is discussed. Literature data concerning the removal of PHRs and PCPs from wastewaters by living microalgal cultures, with the emphasis on microalgal growth, are gathered and discussed. The potential of simultaneously bioremediating PHRs/PCPs-containing wastewaters and cultivating microalgae for biomass production in a single process is considered. In the light of reviewed data, the feasibility of post-bioremediation microalgal biomass is discussed in terms of its contamination, biosafety and further usage for production of value-added biomolecules (pigments, lipids, proteins) and biomass as a whole.

Assessment of the Acute and Subchronic Toxicity and Mutagenicity of Sideritis scardica Griseb. Extracts

Sideritis scardica Griseb. has a long history of collection from the wild as a traditional remedy for respiratory and gastrointestinal complaints. It has also been investigated for its promising pharmacological activities in the central nervous system. However, its toxicological data is entirely missing. This study investigated the acute and repeated-dose oral toxicity of a S. scardica 20% (v/v) ethanol extract in Sprague Dawley rats, and mutagenicity using the Ames test. No gross pathological abnormalities and no toxicity signs or mortality were detected in animals treated with the dose of 2000 mg/kg bw during 14 days of observation. The tested extract was assigned to category 5 of the GHS. To evaluate a repeated-dose toxicity, an extract has been tested over a 28-day period followed by a 14-day recovery period. No mortality and no changes in body/organ weight or food consumption have been observed. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level of the extract was determined at 1000 mg/kg bw. The results of Ames tests conducted on extracts of different polarity (water; 20% (v/v) ethanol; 50% (v/v) ethanol; n-heptane), were unequivocally negative. The study reveals no toxicity of S. scardica and no concerns for its mutagenic effects, supports its positive safety profile, and confirms the acknowledged traditional medicinal use in human.

Antibacterial, antifungal and antimycobacterial compounds from cyanobacteria

Infections from multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria, fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis remain progressively intractable. The search of effective antimicrobials from other possible non-conventional sources against MDR pathogenic bacteria, fungi and mycobacteria is call of the day. This review considers 121 cyanobacterial compounds or cyano-compounds with antimicrobial activities. Chemical structures of cyano-compounds were retrieved from ChemSpider and PubChem databases and were visualized by the software ChemDraw Ultra. Chemical information on cyano-compounds pertaining to Lipinski rules of five was assessed. The reviewed cyano-compounds belong to the following chemical classes (with examples): alkaloids (ambiguine isonitriles and 12-epi-hapalindole E isonitrile), aromatic compounds (benzoic acid and cyanobacterin), cyclic depsipeptides (cryptophycin 52 and lyngbyabellin A), cyclic peptides (calophycin and tenuecyclamides), cyclic undecapeptides (kawaguchipeptins and lyngbyazothrin A), cyclophane (carbamidocyclophane), extracellular pigment (nostocine A), fatty acids (alpha-dimorphecolic acid and majusculonic acid), linear peptides (muscoride A), lipopeptides (fischerellins and scytonemin A), nucleosides (tolytoxin and tubercidin), phenols (ambigols and 4-4'-hydroxybiphenyl), macrolides (scytophycin A and tolytoxin), polyketides (malyngolide and nostocyclyne), polyphenyl ethers (crossbyanol A), porphinoids (tolyporphin J) and terpenoids (noscomin and scytoscalarol). Cyanobacteria appear to be a diverse source of compounds with antimicrobial activity. Further attention is required to elucidate whether those could be applied as pharmaceuticals.