Methylcobalamin – A form of vitamin B12 identified and characterised in Chlorella vulgaris

Microalgae in Terms of Biomedical Technology: Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Metabiotics

Green, red, brown, and diatomic algae, as well as cyanobacteria, have been in the focus of attention of scientists and technologists for over 5 decades. This is due to their importance as efficient and economical producers of food additives, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biofertilizers, biofuels, and wastewater bioremediation agents. Recently, the role of microalgae has increasingly been considered in terms of their probiotic function, i.e., of their ability to normalize the functioning of the microbiota of humans and agricultural animals and to produce biologically active substances, including hormones, neurotransmitters, and immunostimulators. A separate brief subsection of the review deals with the potential functions of microalgae with respect to the brain and psyche, i.e., as psychobiotics. Moreover, algal polysaccharides and some other compounds can be broken down to short fragments that will stimulate the development of useful intestinal microorganisms, i.e., function as efficient prebiotics. Finally, many components of microalgal cells and chemical agents produced by them can exert important health-promoting effects per se, which indicates that they are as potentially valuable metabiotics (the term preferred by late Prof. B.A. Shenderov), which are alternatively denoted as postbiotics in the literature.

Improvement in vitamin B12 status of Wistar rats by supplementing the diet with Chlorella vulgaris biomass

The sources of bioavailable vitamin B₁₂ are limited, and most of them are animal-derived. Chlorella vulgaris, a freshwater microalga, is known for immune system boosting, nutraceutical properties and presence of a natural form of vitamin B₁₂. The present study focused on the in vivo evaluation of the Chlorella biomass as a source of bioavailable vitamin B₁₂ to alleviate the vitamin B₁₂ deficiency status of Wistar rats. Experimental animals were evaluated for the vitamin B₁₂ deficiency-related circulatory marker (serum vitamin B₁₂) and functional markers (plasma homocysteine and urinary methylmalonic acid), haematological and histological changes. The results showed that an increase of 2.4-fold in urinary methylmalonic acid (13.01 ± 0.89 µmoles moles of creatinine^-1), 2.6-fold in plasma homocysteine (17.18 ± 3.57 µmole L^-1), and 48% decrease in serum vitamin B₁₂ levels (252.69 ± 1.46 pg mL^-1) in vitamin B₁₂ deficient group compared to control animals. The Chlorella biomass supplementation in the diet led to the restoration of the functional and circulatory markers, hematological parameters, and vitamin B₁₂ content of kidney and liver to control levels. The Chlorella biomass supplementation increased the erythrocyte precursors and MAST cells in the bone marrow and also normalized the histological features of kidney, liver, and lung tissues. The results suggest that the vitamin B₁₂ from the Chlorella biomass was bioavailable and facilitated the improvement of vitamin B₁₂ status in deficient rats.

Isolation of Industrial Important Bioactive Compounds from Microalgae

Microalgae are known as a rich source of bioactive compounds which exhibit different biological activities. Increased demand for sustainable biomass for production of important bioactive components with various potential especially therapeutic applications has resulted in noticeable interest in algae. Utilisation of microalgae in multiple scopes has been growing in various industries ranging from harnessing renewable energy to exploitation of high-value products. The focuses of this review are on production and the use of value-added components obtained from microalgae with current and potential application in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, energy and agri-food industries, as well as for bioremediation. Moreover, this work discusses the advantage, potential new beneficial strains, applications, limitations, research gaps and future prospect of microalgae in industry.

Microalgae: A Promising Source of Valuable Bioproducts

Microalgae are a group of autotrophic microorganisms that live in marine, freshwater and soil ecosystems and produce organic substances in the process of photosynthesis. Due to their high metabolic flexibility, adaptation to various cultivation conditions as well as the possibility of rapid growth, the number of studies on their use as a source of biologically valuable products is growing rapidly. Currently, integrated technologies for the cultivation of microalgae aiming to isolate various biologically active substances from biomass to increase the profitability of algae production are being sought. To implement this kind of development, the high productivity of industrial cultivation systems must be accompanied by the ability to control the biosynthesis of biologically valuable compounds in conditions of intensive culture growth. The review considers the main factors (temperature, pH, component composition, etc.) that affect the biomass growth process and the biologically active substance synthesis in microalgae. The advantages and disadvantages of existing cultivation methods are outlined. An analysis of various methods for the isolation and overproduction of the main biologically active substances of microalgae (proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, pigments and vitamins) is presented and new technologies and approaches aimed at using microalgae as promising ingredients in value-added products are considered.

Chlorella vulgaris cultivation in airlift photobioreactor with transparent draft tube: effect of hydrodynamics, light and carbon dioxide on biochemical profile particularly ω-6/ω-3 fatty acid ratio

Chlorella vulgaris is used for food and feed applications due to its nutraceutical, antioxidant and anticancer properties. An airlift photobioreactor comprising transparent draft tube was used for C. vulgaris cultivation. The effect of reactor parameters like hydrodynamics (0.3-1.5 vvm), light intensity (85-400 μmol m^-2 s^-1), photoperiod (12-24 h) and gas-phase carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration (5-15% v/v) were evaluated on microalgae and associated bacterial growth, biochemical profile; with special emphasis on ω-3, ω-6 fatty acids, and vitamin B₁₂. The optimal growth of C. vulgaris without CO₂ supplementation was observed at 1.2 vvm, which was associated with higher algal productivity, chlorophyll, vitamin B₁₂ content, and bacterial load along with 72% of nitrate removal. The higher light intensity (400 μmol m^-2 s^-1) and photoperiod (24:0) increased biomass productivity and ω-3 fatty acid content (in lipid) up to 2-3 fold. The elevated levels of gas-phase CO₂ concentration (15% v/v) enhanced EPA content up to 7% and biomass productivity up to 171 mg L^-1 day^-1. However, the increase in CO₂ concentration lowered vitamin B₁₂ content (up to 30%) and bacterial load (2-3 log). Also, all the cultivation conditions favoured desirable ω-6/ω-3 ratio(in the range of 1-2).

Aptamers as potential recognition elements for detection of vitamins and minerals: a systematic and critical review

Background: Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are prevalent globally, and extensive efforts have been made to assess their status. Most traditional methods are expensive and time-consuming; therefore, developments of rapid, simple, specific, and sensitive methods for the assessment of vitamins and minerals in biological samples are of high importance in research. Aptamers are synthetic nucleic acid single-stranded DNA or RNA that can be synthesized in vitro. They can be engineered to be analyte-specific and have been suggested as a substitute for monoclonal antibodies, due to their high sensitivity and affinity. In addition, aptamers can be chemically synthesized and readily modified for use as biosensors. These features make aptamers a promising tool for the detection of biological analytes. In this review, we provide an overview of the potential use of aptamer-based biosensors.Methods: Search terms were conducted on several online databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct from January 2000 to August 2019. Eligibility criteria were used and quality evaluation was performed. Following the review of 4349 articles, 39 articles met the inclusion criteria.Results: Aptasensors have recently been developed for the detection of vitamins by using optical methods, with a detection range from 74 pM to 204 pM, and lower limit of detection of 2.4 pM. Both electrochemical and optical methods have been used for detection of minerals, however electrochemical methods show a wider linear range and lower detection limits compared to optical methods with a wide linear range from 0.2 fM to 1.0 mM and limit of detection of 14.7 fM.Conclusion: The current report reviews recent developments in aptamer-based biosensors for detection of vitamins and minerals. Studies have shown that aptasensors' properties are suitable for the quantification of vitamins and minerals with high sensitivity, affinity, and specificity. Nevertheless, the limitations and future directions of aptamers require further research and new technological innovation.

Improvement of vitamin B12 status with Spirulina supplementation in Wistar rats validated through functional and circulatory markers

Spirulina evaluated as a source of vitamin B₁₂ through the modulation of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency mediated physiological and biochemical changes in experimental animals. The B₁₂ deficient male weanling Wistar rats were fed with Spirulina-supplemented diet for 10 weeks. An increase in urinary methylmalonic acid (22.70 ± 4.08 µmol/moles of creatinine) and plasma homocysteine (16.55 ± 0.48 µmol/L) levels in the B₁₂ deficient group was observed, while these were equal to control in the Spirulina fed group (8.71 ± 0.48 µmol/mol of creatinine and 6.88 ± 1.18 µmol/L, respectively). The vitamin B₁₂ levels in serum (874.27 ± 89.69), plasma (615.53 ± 26.5 pg/ml), kidney (10.19 ± 1.066 ng/g), and liver tissues (6.37 ± 0.62 ng/g) in the Spirulina fed group were similar to control. Severe atrophic changes in the testes and altered tissue architecture in lung and spleen as seen in the B₁₂ deficient group were normalized in the Spirulina fed group. The study validates that Spirulina can improve the vitamin B₁₂ status. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The present study showed that the supplementation of Spirulina in the diet of vitamin B₁₂ deficient rats leads to the normalization of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency-induced circulatory and functional biomarkers along with biochemical and histological changes. Vegetarian sources for vitamin B₁₂ are limited and the results presented here provide scientific validation for the use of Spirulina as a potential vegetarian source of bioavailable vitamin B₁₂ .

Microalgal Derivatives as Potential Nutraceutical and Food Supplements for Human Health: A Focus on Cancer Prevention and Interception

Epidemiological studies are providing strong evidence on beneficial health effects from dietary measures, leading scientists to actively investigate which foods and which specific agents in the diet can prevent diseases. Public health officers and medical experts should collaborate toward the design of disease prevention diets for nutritional intervention. Functional foods are emerging as an instrument for dietary intervention in disease prevention. Functional food products are technologically developed ingredients with specific health benefits. Among promising sources of functional foods and chemopreventive diets of interest, microalgae are gaining worldwide attention, based on their richness in high-value products, including carotenoids, proteins, vitamins, essential amino acids, omega-rich oils and, in general, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. Beneficial effects of microalgae on human health and/or wellness could in the future be useful in preventing or delaying the onset of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. During the past decades, microalgal biomass was predominately used in the health food market, with more than 75% of the annual microalgal biomass production being employed for the manufacture of powders, tablets, capsules or pastilles. In this review, we report and discuss the present and future role of microalgae as marine sources of functional foods/beverages for human wellbeing, focusing on perspectives in chemoprevention. We dissected this topic by analyzing the different classes of microalgal compounds with health outputs (based on their potential chemoprevention activities), the biodiversity of microalgal species and how to improve their cultivation, exploring the perspective of sustainable food from the sea.

Vitamin B12 sources and microbial interaction

Vitamin B₁₂ is synthesized only by certain bacteria and archaeon, but not by plants. The synthesized vitamin B₁₂ is transferred and accumulates in animal tissues, which can occur in certain plant and mushroom species through microbial interaction. In particular, the meat and milk of herbivorous ruminant animals (e.g. cattle and sheep) are good sources of vitamin B₁₂ for humans. Ruminants acquire vitamin B₁₂, which is considered an essential nutrient, through a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria present in their stomachs. In aquatic environments, most phytoplankton acquire vitamin B₁₂ through a symbiotic relationship with bacteria, and they become food for larval fish and bivalves. Edible plants and mushrooms rarely contain a considerable amount of vitamin B₁₂, mainly due to concomitant bacteria in soil and/or their aerial surfaces. Thus, humans acquire vitamin B₁₂ formed by microbial interaction via mainly ruminants and fish (or shellfish) as food sources. In this review, up-to-date information on vitamin B₁₂ sources and bioavailability are also discussed. Impact statement To prevent vitamin B₁₂ (B₁₂) deficiency in high-risk populations such as vegetarians and elderly subjects, it is necessary to identify foods that contain high levels of B₁₂. B₁₂ is synthesized by only certain bacteria and archaeon, but not by plants or animals. The synthesized B₁₂ is transferred and accumulated in animal tissues, even in certain plant tissues via microbial interaction. Meats and milks of herbivorous ruminant animals are good sources of B₁₂ for humans. Ruminants acquire the essential B₁₂ through a symbiotic relationship with bacteria inside the body. Thus, we also depend on B₁₂-producing bacteria located in ruminant stomachs. While edible plants and mushrooms rarely contain a considerable amount of B₁₂, mainly due to concomitant bacteria in soil and/or their aerial surfaces. In this mini-review, we described up-to-date information on B₁₂ sources and bioavailability with reference to the interaction of microbes as B₁₂-producers.

Chlorella vulgaris as a Source of Essential Fatty Acids and Micronutrients: A Brief Commentary

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) comprise about 35-40% of the total lipid content from green algaeChlorella, reaching up to 24% linoleic acid and 27% α-linolenic acid inC. vulgaris. Also, microalgae nutrient composition may be modulated by changes in the culture medium, increasing fatty acid and microelement concentrations in the algae biomass. PUFAs, such as α-linolenic (n-3) and linoleic (n-6) acids, as well as its derivatives, are considered essential for dietary consumption, and their ability to regulate body chemistry has been recently explored in depth. A balanced fatty acid consumption is shown to counteract the negative effects of western diets, such as chronic inflammation and glucose intolerance. In this brief commentary, technological and practical uses ofC. vulgarisare explored as means to improve dietary quality and, ultimately, human health.

Selection and Biosensor Application of Aptamers for Small Molecules

Small molecules play a major role in the human body and as drugs, toxins, and chemicals. Tools to detect and quantify them are therefore in high demand. This review will give an overview about aptamers interacting with small molecules and their selection. We discuss the current state of the field, including advantages as well as problems associated with their use and possible solutions to tackle these. We then discuss different kinds of small molecule aptamer-based sensors described in literature and their applications, ranging from detecting drinking water contaminations to RNA imaging.

Characterization of vitamin B12 in Dunaliella salina

Vitamin B12 is one of nature's complex metabolite which is industrially produced using certain bacteria. Algae could be an alternative source of vitamin B12 and in this study, vitamin B12 from a halotolerant green alga, Dunaliella salina V-101 was purified and characterized. The extract of Dunaliella was purified by passing through Amberlite XAD-2 and EASI-extract vitamin B12 immunoaffinity column. The total vitamin B12 content in purified sample fractions was 42 ± 2 μg/100 g dry weight as determined by the chemiluminescence method which was almost close to 49 ± 2 μg/100 g dry weight as estimated by microbiological method. Further quantification of total vitamin B12 using gold nanoparticle (AUNPs) based aptamer showed 40 ± 0.8/100 g dry weight. There was a good correlation among all the methods of quantification. Adenosylcobalamin, a form of vitamin B12 which is a cofactor for methylmalonyl CoA mutase was identified by HPLC. Upon quantification, Dunaliella was found to contain 34 ± 4 μg of adenosylcobalamin for 100 g dry biomass. Authenticity of adenosylcobalmin was confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), selected ion recording (SIR) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) studies.

Toxicity of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanobeads in Chlorella vulgaris: interaction, adaptation and oxidative stress

The potential toxicity of CoFe2O4 nanobeads (NBs) in Chlorella vulgaris was observed up to 72h. Algal cell morphology, membrane integrity and viability were severely compromised due to adsorption and aggregation of NBs on algal surfaces, release of Fe(3+) and Co(2+) ions and possible mechanical damage by NBs. Interactions with NBs and effective decrease in ions released by aggregation and exudation of algal cells as a self defense mechanism were observed by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results corroborated CoFe2O4 NBs induced ROS triggered oxidative stress, leading to a reduction in catalase activity, activation of the mutagenic glutathione s-transferase (mu-GST) and acid phosphatase (AP) antioxidant enzymes, and an increase in genetic aberrations, metabolic and cellular signal transduction dysfunction. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicated the weak interactions of NBs with BSA, with slight changes in the α-helix structure of BSA confirming conformational changes in structure, hence the potential for functional interactions with biomolecules. Possible interferences of CoFe2O4 NBs with assay techniques and components indicated CoFe2O4 NBs at lower concentration do not show any significant interference with ROS, catalase, mu-GST and no interference with CD measurements. This study showed ROS production is one of the pathways of toxicity initiated by CoFe2O4 NBs and illustrates the complex processes that may occur between organisms and NBs in natural complex ecosystem.