Industrial production of spirulina as a protein source for bioactive peptide generation

Microalgal proteins: Unveiling sustainable alternatives to address the protein challenge

Recent breakthroughs emphasized the considerable potential of microalgae as a sustainable protein source. Microalgae are regarded as a substitute for protein-rich foods because of their high protein and amino acid content. However, despite their nutritional value, microalgae cannot be easily digested by humans due to the presence of cell walls. In the subsequent sections, protein extraction technology, the overview of the inherent challenges of the process, and the summary of the factors affecting protein extraction and utilization have been deliberated. Moreover, the review inspected the formation of proteolytic products, highlighting their diverse bioactivities, including antioxidant, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory activities. Finally, the discussion extended to the emerging microalgal protein sourced foods, such as baked goods and nutritional supplements, as well as the sensory and marketing challenges encountered in the production of microalgal protein foods. The lack of consumer awareness about the health benefits of microalgae complicates its acceptance in the market. Long-standing challenges, such as high production costs, persist. Currently, multi-product utilization strategies are being developed to improve the economic viability of microalgae. By integrating economic, environmental, and social factors, microalgae protein can be sustainably developed to provide a reliable source of raw materials for the future food industry.

Cultivation of Limnospira maxima under extreme environmental conditions in Saudi Arabia: Salinity adaptation and scaling-up from laboratory culture to large-scale production

Limnospira maxima has been adapted to grow in high salinity and in an economically alternative medium using industrial-grade fertilizers under harsh environmental conditions in Saudi Arabia. A sequence of scaling-up processes, from the laboratory to large-scale open raceways, was conducted along with gradual adaptation to environmental stress (salinity, light, temperature, pH). High biomass concentration at harvest point and areal productivity were achieved during the harsh summer season (1.122 g L-1 and 60.35 g m-2 day-1, respectively). The average protein content was found to be above 40 % of dry weight. Changes in the color and morphological appearance of the L. maxima culture were observed after direct exposure to sunlight in the outdoor raceways. These results demonstrate a successful and robust adaptation method for algal cultivation at outdoor large-scale in harsh environment (desert conditions) and also prove the feasibility of using hypersaline seawater (42 g kg-1) as an algal growth medium.

Phycocyanin from microalgae: A comprehensive review covering microalgal culture, phycocyanin sources and stability

As food safety continues to gain prominence, phycocyanin (PC) is increasingly favored by consumers as a natural blue pigment, which is extracted from microalgae and serves the dual function of promoting health and providing coloration. Spirulina-derived PC demonstrates exceptional stability within temperature ranges below 45 °C and under pH conditions between 5.5 and 6.0. However, its application is limited in scenarios involving high-temperature processing due to its sensitivity to heat and light. This comprehensive review provides insights into the efficient production of PC from microalgae, covers the metabolic engineering of microalgae to increase PC yields and discusses various strategies for enhancing its stability in food applications. In addition to the most widely used Spirulina, some red algae and Thermosynechococcus can serve as good source of PC. The genetic and metabolic manipulation of microalgae strains has shown promise in increasing PC yield and improving its quality. Delivery systems including nanoparticles, hydrogels, emulsions, and microcapsules offer a promising solution to protect and extend the shelf life of PC in food products, ensuring its vibrant color and health-promoting properties are preserved. This review highlights the importance of metabolic engineering, multi-omics applications, and innovative delivery systems in unlocking the full potential of this natural blue pigment in the realm of food applications, provides a complete overview of the entire process from production to commercialization of PC, including the extraction and purification.

Investigation of the Elemental Contents, Functional and Nutraceutical Properties of Kefirs Enriched with Spirulina platensis, an Eco-friendly and Alternative Protein Source

In this study, the effect of the use of S. platensis, which is presented as an eco-friendly and alternative protein source, in the production of kefir, a probiotic dairy product, on various physicochemical properties as well as FAA, ACE inhibitory activity, proteolysis, TPC, DPPH, ABTS+, and mineral values was investigated. It was observed that the addition of S. platensis at different ratios to the kefir samples had a statistically very significant (p < 0.01) effect on all physicochemical analyses; L. mesenteroides count; all amino acids except isoleucine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid; ACE inhibitory activity, TN, TCAN, TCAN/TN, mM Gly, TPC, DPPH, ABTS+, Na, Mg, K, and Fe. In plain kefir samples, mineral contents were determined by order of K > P > Na > Ca > Mg > Zn >> Fe > Cr > Cr > Mn. Furthermore, a general increase was observed in FAA, ACE inhibitory activity, TPC, DPPH, ABTS+, and mineral values, as well as in the counts of Lactococcus spp. and L. mesenteroides in the samples, depending on the proportion of S. platensis added, compared to plain kefir samples. In this context, it was concluded that the addition of S. platensis to kefir at different rates could meet various components required by the body on a daily basis and result in a nutraceutical product.

Identification and molecular docking of tyrosinase inhibitory peptides from allophycocyanin in Spirulina platensis

BACKGROUND

Tyrosinase, a copper-containing metalloenzyme with catalytic activity, is widely found in mammals. It is the key rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes melanin synthesis. For humans, tyrosinase is beneficial to the darkening of eyes and hair. However, excessive deposition of melanin in the skin can lead to dull skin color and lead to pigmentation. Therefore, many skin-whitening compounds have been developed to decrease tyrosinase activity. This study aimed to identify a new tyrosinase inhibitory peptide through enzymatic hydrolysis, in vitro activity verification, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation.

RESULTS

A tripeptide Asp-Glu-Arg (DER) was identified, with a '-CDOCKER_Energy' value of 121.26 Kcal mol-1 . DER has effective tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Research shows that its half maximal inhibitory concentration value is 1.04 ± 0.01 mmol L-1 . In addition, DER binds to tyrosinase residues His85, His244, His259, and Asn260, which are key residues that drive the interaction between the peptide and tyrosinase. Finally, through MD simulation, the conformational changes and structural stability of the complexes were further explored to verify and supplement the results of molecular docking.

CONCLUSION

This experiment shows that DER can effectively inhibit tyrosinase activity. His244, His259, His260, and Asn260 are the critical residues that drive the interaction between the peptide and tyrosinase, and hydrogen bonding is an important force. DER from Spirulina has the potential to develop functional products with tyrosinase inhibition. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

An Integrated Comprehensive Peptidomics and In Silico Analysis of Bioactive Peptide-Rich Milk Fermented by Three Autochthonous Cocci Strains

Bioactive peptides (BPs) are molecules of paramount importance with great potential for the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals or therapeutics for the prevention or treatment of various diseases. A functional BP-rich dairy product was produced by lyophilisation of bovine milk fermented by the autochthonous strains Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis ZGBP5-51, Enterococcus faecium ZGBP5-52 and Enterococcus faecalis ZGBP5-53 isolated from the same artisanal fresh cheese. The efficiency of the proteolytic system of the implemented strains in the production of BPs was confirmed by a combined high-throughput mass spectrometry (MS)-based peptidome profiling and an in silico approach. First, peptides released by microbial fermentation were identified via a non-targeted peptide analysis (NTA) comprising reversed-phase nano-liquid chromatography (RP nano-LC) coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) MS, and then quantified by targeted peptide analysis (TA) involving RP ultrahigh-performance LC (RP-UHPLC) coupled with triple-quadrupole MS (QQQ-MS). A combined database and literature search revealed that 10 of the 25 peptides identified in this work have bioactive properties described in the literature. Finally, by combining the output of MS-based peptidome profiling with in silico bioactivity prediction tools, three peptides (75QFLPYPYYAKPA86, 40VAPFPEVFGK49, 117ARHPHPHLSF126), whose bioactive properties have not been previously reported in the literature, were identified as potential BP candidates.

Milk Antiviral Proteins and Derived Peptides against Zoonoses

Milk is renowned for its nutritional richness but also serves as a remarkable reservoir of bioactive compounds, particularly milk proteins and their derived peptides. Recent studies have showcased several robust antiviral activities of these proteins, evidencing promising potential within zoonotic viral diseases. While several publications focus on milk's bioactivities, antiviral peptides remain largely neglected in reviews. This knowledge is critical for identifying novel research directions and analyzing potential nutraceuticals within the One Health context. Our review aims to gather the existing scientific information on milk-derived antiviral proteins and peptides against several zoonotic viral diseases, and their possible mechanisms. Overall, in-depth research has increasingly revealed them as a promising and novel strategy against viruses, principally for those constituting a plausible pandemic threat. The underlying mechanisms of the bioactivity of milk's proteins include inhibiting viral entry and attachment to the host cells, blocking replication, or even viral inactivation via peptide-membrane interactions. Their marked versatility and effectiveness stand out compared to other antiviral peptides and can support future research and development in the post-COVID-19 era. Overall, our review helps to emphasize the importance of potentially effective milk-derived peptides, and their significance for veterinary and human medicines, along with the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and dairy industry.

Photobioreactor configurations in cultivating microalgae biomass for biorefinery

Microalgae, highly prized for their protein, lipid, carbohydrate, phycocyanin, and carotenoid-rich biomass, have garnered significant industrial attention in the context of third-generation (3G) biorefineries, seeking sustainable alternatives to non-renewable resources. Two primarily cultivation methods, open ponds and closed photobioreactors systems, have emerged. Open ponds, favored for their cost-effectiveness in large-scale industrial production, although lacking precise environmental control, contrast with closed photobioreactors, offering controlled conditions and enhanced biomass production at the laboratory scale. However, their high operational costs challenge large-scale deployment. This review comprehensively examines the strength, weakness, and typical designs of both outdoor and indoor microalgae cultivation systems, with an emphasis on their application in terms of biorefinery concept. Additionally, it incorporates techno-economic analyses, providing insights into the financial aspects of microalgae biomass production. These multifaceted insights, encompassing both technological and economic dimensions, are important as the global interest in harnessing microalgae's valuable resources continue to grow.

Effect of seawater on the biomass composition of Spirulina produced at a pilot-scale

The microalga Arthrospira platensis BEA 005B was produced in 11.4 m3 raceway photobioreactors and a culture medium based on commercial fertilisers and either freshwater or seawater. The biomass productivity of the reactors operated at a fixed dilution rate of 0.3 day-1 decreased from 22.9 g·m-2·day-1 when operated using freshwater to 16.3 g·m-2·day-1 when the biomass was produced using seawater. The protein content of the biomass produced in seawater was lower; however, the content of essential amino acids including valine, leucine and isoleucine was higher. Seawater also triggered the production of carotenoids and altered the synthesis and accumulation of fatty acids. For example, the biomass produced using seawater showed a 319% and 210% higher content of oleic and eicosenoic acid, respectively. The results demonstrate that it is possible to produce the selected microalga using seawater after an adaptation period and that the composition of the produced biomass is suitable for food applications.

Protein and Peptide-Based Nanotechnology for Enhancing Stability, Bioactivity, and Delivery of Anthocyanins

Anthocyanin, a unique natural polyphenol, is abundant in plants and widely utilized in biomedicine, cosmetics, and the food industry due to its excellent antioxidant, anticancer, antiaging, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the degradation of anthocyanin in an extreme environment, such as alkali pH, high temperatures, and metal ions, limits its physiochemical stabilities and bioavailabilities. Encapsulation and combining anthocyanin with biomaterials could efficiently stabilize anthocyanin for protection. Promisingly, natural or artificially designed proteins and peptides with favorable stabilities, excellent biocapacity, and wide sources are potential candidates to stabilize anthocyanin. This review focuses on recent progress, strategies, and perspectives on protein and peptide for anthocyanin functionalization and delivery, i.e., formulation technologies, physicochemical stability enhancement, cellular uptake, bioavailabilities, and biological activities development. Interestingly, due to the simplicity and diversity of peptide structure, the interaction mechanisms between peptide and anthocyanin could be illustrated. This work sheds light on the mechanism of protein/peptide-anthocyanin nanoparticle construction and expands on potential applications of anthocyanin in nutrition and biomedicine.

Transforming Spirulina maxima Biomass into Ultrathin Bioactive Coatings Using an Atmospheric Plasma Jet: A New Approach to Healing of Infected Wounds

The challenge of wound healing, particularly in patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, is intensified by wound infection and the accelerating problem of bacterial resistance to current remedies such as antibiotics and silver. One promising approach harnesses the bioactive and antibacterial compound C-phycocyanin from the microalga Spirulina maxima. However, the current processes of extracting this compound and developing coatings are unsustainable and difficult to achieve. To circumvent these obstacles, a novel, sustainable argon atmospheric plasma jet (Ar-APJ) technology that transforms S. maxima biomass into bioactive coatings is presented. This Ar-APJ can selectively disrupt the cell walls of S. maxima, converting them into bioactive ultrathin coatings, which are found to be durable under aqueous conditions. The findings demonstrate that Ar-APJ-transformed bioactive coatings show better antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, these coatings exhibit compatibility with macrophages, induce an anti-inflammatory response by reducing interleukin 6 production, and promote cell migration in keratinocytes. This study offers an innovative, single-step, sustainable technology for transforming microalgae into bioactive coatings. The approach reported here has immense potential for the generation of bioactive coatings for combating wound infections and may offer a significant advance in wound care research and application.

Cultivation of Arthrospira platensis and harvesting using edible fungi isolated from mould soybean cake

In this study, the cultivation and harvesting of Arthrospira platensis biomass were proposed via simple, safe, and efficient techniques for direct consumption. Cultivation of microalgae in a covered macrobubble column under outdoor conditions resulted in significant differences (p < 0.05) with a maximum dry cell weight (X_m) of 0.959 ± 0.046 g/L. Notably, outdoor cultures resulted in approximately twofold biomass compared to indoor cultures. This outcome shows that the developed outdoor setup integrated with solar panels while utilising Malaysia's weather and atmospheric air as carbon sources is viable. Meanwhile, for harvesting, the screening showed that the fungus isolated from mould soybean cake (tempeh) starter indicated the highest harvesting efficiency, which was then further identified as Rhizopus microsporus, microscopically and molecularly. Overall, the economical and portable setup of outdoor cultivation coupled with safe harvesting via locally isolated fungus from tempeh as a bioflocculant would provide sustainability to produce A. platensis biomass.

Antimicrobial peptides derived from microalgae for combating antibiotic resistance: Current status and prospects

Microalgae are photosynthetic cell factories that produce a spectrum of bioactive compounds extensively used for various applications. Owing to the increase in antibiotic resistance among microbial pathogens, there is a significant thrust for identifying new treatment strategies, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) generation is one such method. These AMPs have multiple roles and are active against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Such peptides synthesized in microalgae have a significant role in medical application, managing aquaculture-associated diseases, and the food industry. To increase their effectiveness and novel peptides, genetically modified microalgae are used as cell factories. With the advancement of new technologies like the CRISPR-Cas system, new avenues are opened for developing novel AMPs using microalgae. This review gives us insight into the various AMPs produced by microalgae and multiple technologies involved in creating such therapeutically essential molecules.

Production of enzymatic hydrolysates with in vitro antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic properties from proteins derived from Arthrospira platensis

The microalga Arthrospira platensis BEA 005B was produced using 80 m² (9 m³) raceway photobioreactors achieving a biomass productivity of 28.2 g·m^-2·day^-1 when operating the reactors in semi-continuous mode (0.33 day^-1). The produced biomass was rich in proteins (58.1 g·100 g^-1) and carbohydrates (25.6 g·100 g^-1); the content of phycocyanins and allophycocyanins was 115.4 and 36.9 mg·g^-1, respectively. Ultrasounds and high-pressure homogenisation allowed recovering approximately 90% of the initial protein content of the biomass; however, the energetic requirements of the former (∼100 kJ·kg^-1) were significantly lower than those of high-pressure homogenisation (∼200 kJ·kg^-1). An in silico analysis revealed that papain and ficin would allow releasing a large number of bioactive peptides with antioxidant, antihypertensive (ACE-I and renin), and antidiabetic (DPP-IV, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase) properties. Both were assessed in vitro together with Alcalase and pepsin leading to the generation of enzymatic hydrolysates with in vitro bioactivity.

Functional properties of bioactive compounds from Spirulina spp.: Current status and future trends

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Functional foods that contain bioactive compounds (BC) and provide health benefits;

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Spirulina is a cyanobacterium considered blue microalgae rich in BC;

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BC from Spirulina have interesting health effects;

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Chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phycocyanin are natural corants from Spirulina;

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Spirulina has potential as an ingredient for application in functional foods.

Functional foods show non-toxic bioactive compounds that offer health benefits beyond their nutritional value and beneficially modulate one or more target functions in the body. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the trend toward consuming foods rich in bioactive compounds, less industrialized, and with functional properties. Spirulina, a cyanobacterium considered blue microalgae, widely found in South America, stands out for its rich composition of bioactive compounds, as well as unsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids, which contribute to basic human nutrition and can be used as a protein source for diets free from animal products. In addition, they have colored compounds, such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, phycocyanins, and phenolic compounds which can be used as corants and natural antioxidants. In this context, this review article presents the main biological activities of spirulina as an anticancer, neuroprotective, probiotic, anti-inflammatory, and immune system stimulating effect. Furthermore, an overview of the composition of spirulina, its potential for different applications in functional foods, and its emerging technologies are covered in this review.

Nanoliposomal peptides derived from Spirulina platensis protein accelerate full-thickness wound healing

Spirulina platensis is a type of blue-green algae that contains large amounts of protein with therapeutic effects. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of encapsulated Spirulina protein hydrolysates (SPH) with nanoliposomes (NLPs) in reducing wound healing period. SPH-loaded NLPs showed the size and zeta potential of 158 nm and -48 mV, respectively; as well as a uniform non-aggregated morphology. In-vitro MTT toxicity studies on the Human Foreskin Fibroblast (HFFF-2) cell line exhibited that the hydrolyzed peptides had no toxic effect and increased cell growth. The scratch test confirmed the MTT results. For in-vivo study, 162 mice were divided into nine groups, including the mice groups treated with blank gel, blank NLPs, and those treated with 2.5, 5, and 10 % SPH and SPH-loaded NLPs. The histopathological assessment was done to investigate rate of fibroblast proliferation and epithelialization. Immunofluorescence staining for bFGF, CD31, COL1A was conducted. The results showed that the mice group treated with SPH-NLPs showed higher wound contraction, epithelization, fibroblast proliferation, and higher expressions for bFGF, CD31, COL1A compared with blanks and other groups. In conclusion, the derived and encapsulated peptides showed significant effects in accelerating wound healing via angiogenesis and collagen production.

Food Protein-Derived Antioxidant Peptides: Molecular Mechanism, Stability and Bioavailability

The antioxidant activity of protein-derived peptides was one of the first to be revealed among the more than 50 known peptide bioactivities to date. The exploitation value associated with food-derived antioxidant peptides is mainly attributed to their natural properties and effectiveness as food preservatives and in disease prevention, management, and treatment. An increasing number of antioxidant active peptides have been identified from a variety of renewable sources, including terrestrial and aquatic organisms and their processing by-products. This has important implications for alleviating population pressure, avoiding environmental problems, and promoting a sustainable shift in consumption. To identify such opportunities, we conducted a systematic literature review of recent research advances in food-derived antioxidant peptides, with particular reference to their biological effects, mechanisms, digestive stability, and bioaccessibility. In this review, 515 potentially relevant papers were identified from a preliminary search of the academic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. After removing non-thematic articles, articles without full text, and other quality-related factors, 52 review articles and 122 full research papers remained for analysis and reference. The findings highlighted chemical and biological evidence for a wide range of edible species as a source of precursor proteins for antioxidant-active peptides. Food-derived antioxidant peptides reduce the production of reactive oxygen species, besides activating endogenous antioxidant defense systems in cellular and animal models. The intestinal absorption and metabolism of such peptides were elucidated by using cellular models. Protein hydrolysates (peptides) are promising ingredients with enhanced nutritional, functional, and organoleptic properties of foods, not only as a natural alternative to synthetic antioxidants.

Enhancement of Arthrospira sp. culturing for sulfate removal and mining wastewater bioremediation

Sulfate content in mining wastewater can reach concentrations over 2,000 mg·L^-1, which is considered as a pollutant of concern. In this article, two cyanobacteria species were cultured using highly sulfated wastewater (3,000 mg·L^-1) as the culture medium. This investigation aimed to analyze the sulfate bioremediation potential of microalgae while enhancing the uptaking of this pollutant through the design of a novel nutritional medium. The results obtained show the suitability of Arthrospira maxima as a bioremediation organism of sulfated wastewater. The appropriateness of this organism is based on its great growth performance when cultured in this residue, 2.16 times higher than the initial value. Moreover, the initially obtained sulfate reduction, 23.3%, was significantly enhanced to a final removal of 73% (2,247 mg·L^-1). In addition, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to evaluate sulfur crystallization. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous works focused on microalgal sulfate removal that have reached such an uptaking rate. Accordingly, this study presents the highest performance on sulfate microalgal bioremediation published to date. Our findings suggest that A. maxima can be cultured for sulfated wastewater bioremediation while showing a removal yield that is theoretically sufficient for industrial applications.

Diversity of Culturable Alkaliphilic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria from a Soda Lake in the East African Rift Valley

Lake Chitu is a highly productive soda lake found in the East African Rift Valley, where Arthrospira fusiformis (Spirulina platensis) is the main primary producer. High biomass accumulation requires an adequate supply of nitrogen. However, Lake Chitu is a closed system without any external nutrient input. A recent study has also demonstrated the presence of a diverse group of denitrifying bacteria, indicating a possible loss of nitrate released from the oxidation of organic matter. The aim of this study was to isolate culturable nitrogen-fixing alkaliphiles and evaluate their potential contribution in the nitrogen economy of the soda lake. A total of 118 alkaliphiles belonging to nine different operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were isolated using a nitrogen-free medium. Nineteen isolates were tested for the presence of the nifH gene, and 11 were positive. The ability to fix nitrogen was tested by co-culturing with a non-nitrogen-fixing alkaliphile, Alkalibacterium sp. 3.5*R1. When inoculated alone, Alkalibacterium sp. 3.5*R1 failed to grow on a nitrogen-free medium, but grew very well when co-cultured with the nitrogen-fixing alkaliphile NF10m6 isolated in this study, indicating the availability of nitrogen. These results show that nitrogen fixation by alkaliphiles may have an important contribution as a source of nitrogen in soda lakes.

Optimisation of Operational Conditions during the Production of Arthrospira platensis Using Pilot-Scale Raceway Reactors, Protein Extraction, and Assessment of their Techno-Functional Properties

The aim of the present study was to identify the optimum combination of dilution rate and depth of the culture to maximise the Arthrospira platensis BEA005B (Spirulina) productivity using 80 m² raceway reactors. By varying these two main operational conditions, the areal biomass productivity of the reactors varied by over 55%. The optimum combination, optimised using a surface response methodology, was a depth of 0.10 m and a dilution rate of 0.33 day^-1, which led to a biomass productivity of 30.2 g·m^-2·day^-1 on a dry weight basis when operating the reactors in semi-continuous mode. The composition of the produced biomass was 62.2% proteins, 42.5% carbohydrates, 11.6% ashes, and 8.1% lipids. The isolated proteins contained all the essential amino acids (except for tryptophan, which was not determined); highlighting the content of valine (6.8%), histidine (8.3%), and lysine (7.5%). The functional properties of the proteins were also assessed, demonstrating huge potential for their use in the development of innovative and sustainable foods.

Cultivation of Arthrospira platensis in Brewery Wastewater

Cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms in wastewater is a potential cost-effective method of treating wastewater and simultaneously providing the essential nutrients for high-value biomass production. This study investigates the cultivation of the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis in non-diluted and non-pretreated brewery wastewater under non-sterile and alkaline growth conditions. The system’s performance in terms of biomass productivity, pollutant consumption, pigment production and biomass composition was evaluated under different media formulations (i.e., addition of sodium chloride and/or bicarbonate) and different irradiation conditions (i.e., continuous illumination and 16:8 light:dark photoperiod). It was observed that the combination of sodium bicarbonate with sodium chloride resulted in maximum pigment production recorded at the end of the experiments, and the use of the photoperiod led to increased pollutant removal (up to 90% of initial concentrations) and biomass concentration (950 mg/L). The composition of the microbial communities established during the experiments was also determined. It was observed that heterotrophic bacteria dominated by the phyla of Pseudomonadota, Bacillota, and Bacteroidota prevailed, while the cyanobacteria population showcased a dynamic behavior throughout the experiments, as it increased towards the end of cultivation (relative abundance of 10% and 30% under continuous illumination and photoperiod application, respectively). Overall, Arthrospira platensis-based cultivation proved to be an effective method of brewery wastewater treatment, although the large numbers of heterotrophic bacteria limit the usage of the produced biomass to applications such as biofuel and biofertilizer production.

Separation of Microalgae by a Dynamic Bed of Magnetite-Containing Gel in the Application of a Magnetic Field

Microalgae are now known as potential microorganisms in the production of chemicals, fuel, and food. Since microalgae live in the sea and the river, they need to be harvested and separated and cultured for further usage. In this study, to separate microalgae, a bed of magnetite-containing gel (Mag gel, 190 µm) was packed in the column by the application of a magnetic field for the separative elution of injected microalgae (including mainly four species), cultured at Saga University in Japan. The applied magnetic field was set at a constant and dynamic-convex manner. At a constant magnetic field of 0.4–1.1 T, the elution percentage of the microalgae at less than 5 µm was 30–50%. At 1.1 T, the larger-sized microalgae were eluted at a percentage of 20%, resulting in the structural change of the bed by the applied magnetic field. In a convex-like change of the magnetic field at 1.1 T ⇄ 0.4 T, the smaller-sized microalgae were selectively eluted, whereas at 1.1 T ⇄ 0.8 T, the larger-sized microalgae were eluted. Dynamic convex-like changes by the magnetic field selectively eluted the microalgae, leading to the separation and the extraction of potential microalgae.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermentation and Endopeptidase Treatment Improve the Functional and Nutritional Features of Arthrospira platensis

This study aimed at investigating the effect of fermentation and enzymatic treatment on the degree of proteolysis of wet (WB), dried at low temperature (DB), and freeze-dried Spirulina (LB) proteins that affect the nutritional (e.g., amino acid content and profiles, and protein digestibility) and functional (e.g., antioxidant and antimicrobial activities) properties. The desiccation treatments influenced the unprocessed Spirulina characteristics because, compared with that in WB, peptides and free amino acids content was 73% lower in DB and 34% higher in LB. An integrated approach, including chromatographic and electrophoresis analyses, was used to evaluate the effect of the different bioprocessing options on protein profiles, release of peptides and amino acids, and the overall protein digestibility. Compared with the application of fermentation with the selected Lactiplantibacillus plantarum T0A10, the treatment with the endopeptidase Alcalase^®, alone or combined, determined the most intense proteolysis. Moreover, the treatment with Alcalase^® of LB allowed the release of potentially bioactive compounds that are able to inhibit Penicillium roqueforti growth, whereas the combination of fermentation with L. plantarum T0A10 and Alcalase^® treatment increased Spirulina antioxidant properties, as determined by the scavenging activity toward ABTS radical (up to 60%) and antimicrobial activity against food pathogen Escherichia coli.

Microalgae Derived Astaxanthin: Research and Consumer Trends and Industrial Use as Food

Astaxanthin is a high-value carotenoid currently being produced by chemical synthesis and by extraction from the biomass of the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. Other microalgae, such as Chlorella zofingiensis, have the potential for being used as sources of astaxanthin. The differences between the synthetic and the microalgae derived astaxanthin are notorious: not only their production and price but also their uses and bioactivity. Microalgae derived astaxanthin is being used as a pigment in food and feed or aquafeed production and also in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Several health-promoting properties have been attributed to astaxanthin, and these were summarized in the current review paper. Most of these properties are attributed to the high antioxidant capacity of this molecule, much higher than that of other known natural compounds. The aim of this review is to consider the main challenges and opportunities of microalgae derived products, such as astaxanthin as food. Moreover, the current study includes a bibliometric analysis that summarizes the current research trends related to astaxanthin. Moreover, the potential utilization of microalgae other than H. pluvialis as sources of astaxanthin as well as the health-promoting properties of this valuable compound will be discussed.