Shedding Light on the Hidden Benefit of Porphyridium cruentum Culture

Unveiling the potential of Pseudococcomyxa simplex: a stepwise extraction for cosmetic applications

Microalgae are gaining attention as they are considered green fabrics able to synthesize many bioactive metabolites, with unique biological activities. However, their use at an industrial scale is still a challenge because of the high costs related to upstream and downstream processes. Here, a biorefinery approach was proposed, starting from the biomass of the green microalga Pseudococcomyxa simplex for the extraction of two classes of molecules with a potential use in the cosmetic industry. Carotenoids were extracted first by an ultrasound-assisted extraction, and then, from the residual biomass, lipids were obtained by a conventional extraction. The chemical characterization of the ethanol extract indicated lutein, a biosynthetic derivative of α-carotene, as the most abundant carotenoid. The extract was found to be fully biocompatible on a cell-based model, active as antioxidant and with an in vitro anti-aging property. In particular, the lutein-enriched fraction was able to activate Nrf2 pathway, which plays a key role also in aging process. Finally, lipids were isolated from the residual biomass and the isolated fatty acids fraction was composed by palmitic and stearic acids. These molecules, fully biocompatible, can find application as emulsifiers and softener agents in cosmetic formulations. Thus, an untapped microalgal species can represent a sustainable source for cosmeceutical formulations. KEY POINTS: • Pseudococcomyxa simplex has been explored in a cascade approach. • Lutein is the main extracted carotenoid and has antioxidant and anti-aging activity. • Fatty acids are mainly composed of palmitic and stearic acids.

Microalgae as future food: Rich nutrients, safety, production costs and environmental effects

The improvement of food security and nutrition has attracted wide attention, and microalgae as the most promising food source are being further explored. This paper comprehensively introduces basic and functional nutrients rich in microalgae by elaborated tables incorporating a wide variety of studies and summarizes factors influencing their accumulation effects. Subsequently, multiple comparisons of nutrients were conducted, indicating that microalgae have a high protein content. Moreover, controllable production costs and environmental friendliness prompt microalgae into the list that contains more promising and reliable future food. However, microalgae and -based foods approved and sold are limited strictly, showing that safety is a key factor affecting dietary consideration. Notably, sensory profiles and ingredient clarity play an important role in improving the acceptance of microalgae-based foods. Finally, based on the bottleneck in the microalgae food industry, suggestions for its future development were discussed.

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on the Red Microalga Porphyridium purpureum CNMN-AR-02, Cultivated on Two Nutrient Media

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of 10 and 20 nm nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the growth and biochemical composition of microalga Porphyridium purpureum CNMN-AR-02 in two media which differ by the total amount of mineral salts (MM1 with 33.02 g/L and MM2 with 21.65 g/L). Spectrophotometric methods were used to estimate the amount of biomass and its biochemical composition. This study provides evidence of both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of AgNPs on different parameters depending on the concentration, size, and composition of the nutrient medium. In relation to the mineral medium, AgNPs exhibited various effects on the content of proteins (an increase up to 20.5% in MM2 and a decrease up to 36.8% in MM1), carbohydrates (a decrease up to 35.8% in MM1 and 39.6% in MM2), phycobiliproteins (an increase up to 15.7% in MM2 and 56.8% in MM1), lipids (an increase up to 197% in MM1 and no changes found in MM2), antioxidant activity (a decrease in both media). The composition of the cultivation medium has been revealed as one of the factors influencing the involvement of nanoparticles in the biosynthetic activity of microalgae.

The Ocean's Pharmacy: Health Discoveries in Marine Algae

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a global health challenge, constituting a major cause of mortality and disease burden in the 21st century. Addressing the prevention and management of NCDs is crucial for improving global public health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies, early interventions, and innovative therapeutic approaches to mitigate their far-reaching consequences. Marine organisms, mainly algae, produce diverse marine natural products with significant therapeutic potential. Harnessing the largely untapped potential of algae could revolutionize drug development and contribute to combating NCDs, marking a crucial step toward natural and targeted therapeutic approaches. This review examines bioactive extracts, compounds, and commercial products derived from macro- and microalgae, exploring their protective properties against oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, metabolic diseases, and cancer across in vitro, cell-based, in vivo, and clinical studies. Most research focuses on macroalgae, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, gut health modulation, metabolic health promotion, and anti-cancer effects. Microalgae products also exhibit anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anti-cancer properties. Although studies mainly investigated extracts and fractions, isolated compounds from algae have also been explored. Notably, polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids, and terpenes emerge as prominent compounds, collectively representing 42.4% of the investigated compounds.

Chemical profiling and dermatological and anti-aging properties of Syzygium jambos L. (Alston): evidence from molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and in vitro experiments

The phytoconstituents of the aqueous extract from Syzygium jambos L. (Alston) leaves were defined using HPLC-PDA-MS/MS and the antioxidant, anti-aging, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm activities of the extract were in silico and in vitro investigated. The antioxidant activities were performed using in vitro DPPH and FRAP assays as well as H2-DCFDA assay in HaCaT cells in which oxidative stress was induced by UVA radiation. Anti-aging activity was tested in vitro, using aging-related enzymes. The antibacterial, anti-biofilm and inhibitory effects on bacterial mobilities (swarming and swimming) were assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results showed that S. jambos aqueous extract contained 28 phytochemicals belonging to different metabolite classes, mainly phenolic acids, gallic acid derivatives, flavonoids, and ellagitannins. Mineral content analysis showed that S. jambos leaves contained moderate amounts of nitrogen, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and zinc, relatively low amounts of phosphorus and copper, and high concentration of calcium and iron. The extract displayed strong antioxidant activities in vitro and inhibited UVA-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT cells. Docking the major compounds identified in the extract into the four main protein targets involved in skin aging revealed an appreciable inhibitory potential of these compounds against tyrosinase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and collagenase enzymes. Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations were adopted to confirm the binding affinity of some selected compounds towards the target enzymes. The extract exhibited pronounced in vitro anti-aging effects, compared to kojic acid and quercetin (the reference compounds). It also inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa, counteracted its ability to form biofilm, and impeded its swarming and swimming mobilities. Altogether, these findings strongly propose S. jambos leaves as a promising source of bioactive metabolites for the development of natural cosmeceutical and dermatological agents.

Current application and modification strategy of marine polysaccharides in tissue regeneration: A review

Marine polysaccharides (MPs) are exceptional bioactive materials that possess unique biochemical mechanisms and pharmacological stability, making them ideal for various tissue engineering applications. Certain MPs, including agarose, alginate, carrageenan, chitosan, and glucan have been successfully employed as biological scaffolds in animal studies. As carriers of signaling molecules, scaffolds can enhance the adhesion, growth, and differentiation of somatic cells, thereby significantly improving the tissue regeneration process. However, the biological benefits of pure MPs composite scaffold are limited. Therefore, physical, chemical, enzyme modification and other methods are employed to expand its efficacy. Chemically, the structural properties of MPs scaffolds can be altered through modifications to functional groups or molecular weight reduction, thereby enhancing their biological activities. Physically, MPs hydrogels and sponges emulate the natural extracellular matrix, creating a more conducive environment for tissue repair. The porosity and high permeability of MPs membranes and nanomaterials expedite wound healing. This review explores the distinctive properties and applications of select MPs in tissue regeneration, highlighting their structural versatility and biological applicability. Additionally, we provide a brief overview of common modification strategies employed for MP scaffolds. In conclusion, MPs have significant potential and are expected to be a novel regenerative material for tissue engineering.

Advances in the Astonishing World of Phytochemicals: State-of-the-Art for Antioxidants

In recent years, research on phytochemicals has underscored pleiotropic actions and medicinal and health-promoting properties which certainly deserve serious attention [...].