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Mosibo OK, Ferrentino G, Udenigwe CC. Microalgae Proteins as Sustainable Ingredients in Novel Foods: Recent Developments and Challenges. Foods 2024; 13:733. [PMID: 38472846 DOI: 10.3390/foods13050733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are receiving increased attention in the food sector as a sustainable ingredient due to their high protein content and nutritional value. They contain up to 70% proteins with the presence of all 20 essential amino acids, thus fulfilling human dietary requirements. Microalgae are considered sustainable and environmentally friendly compared to traditional protein sources as they require less land and a reduced amount of water for cultivation. Although microalgae's potential in nutritional quality and functional properties is well documented, no reviews have considered an in-depth analysis of the pros and cons of their addition to foods. The present work discusses recent findings on microalgae with respect to their protein content and nutritional quality, placing a special focus on formulated food products containing microalgae proteins. Several challenges are encountered in the production, processing, and commercialization of foods containing microalgae proteins. Solutions presented in recent studies highlight the future research and directions necessary to provide solutions for consumer acceptability of microalgae proteins and derived products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Kongi Mosibo
- School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A7, Canada
| | - Giovanna Ferrentino
- Faculty of Agriculture, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Chibuike C Udenigwe
- School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A7, Canada
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Chabili A, Minaoui F, Hakkoum Z, Douma M, Meddich A, Loudiki M. A Comprehensive Review of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria-Based Biostimulants for Agriculture Uses. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:159. [PMID: 38256713 PMCID: PMC10820584 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Significant progress has been achieved in the use of biostimulants in sustainable agricultural practices. These new products can improve plant growth, nutrient uptake, crop yield and quality, stress adaptation and soil fertility, while reducing agriculture's environmental footprint. Although it is an emerging market, the biostimulant sector is very promising, hence the increasing attention of the scientific community and agro-industry stakeholders in finding new sources of plant biostimulants. Recently, pro- and eucaryotic microalgae have gained prominence and can be exploited as biostimulants due to their ability to produce high-value-added metabolites. Several works revealed the potential of microalgae- and cyanobacteria-based biostimulants (MCBs) as plant growth promoters and stress alleviators, as well as encouraging results pointing out that their use can address current and future agricultural challenges. In contrast to macroalgae biostimulants, the targeted applications of MBs in agriculture are still in their earlier stages and their commercial implementation is constrained by the lack of research and cost of production. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview on the use of this promising new category of plant biostimulants in agriculture and to highlight the current knowledge on their application prospects. Based on the prevailing state of the art, we aimed to roadmap MCB formulations from microalgae and cyanobacteria strain selection, algal biomass production, extraction techniques and application type to product commercialization and farmer and consumer acceptance. Moreover, we provide examples of successful trials demonstrating the beneficial applications of microalgal biostimulants as well as point out bottlenecks and constraints regarding their successful commercialization and input in sustainable agricultural practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Chabili
- Water, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd Prince Moulay Abdellah, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (A.C.); (F.M.); (Z.H.)
| | - Farah Minaoui
- Water, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd Prince Moulay Abdellah, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (A.C.); (F.M.); (Z.H.)
| | - Zineb Hakkoum
- Water, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd Prince Moulay Abdellah, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (A.C.); (F.M.); (Z.H.)
| | - Mountasser Douma
- Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga (FPK), Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Khouribga 25000, Morocco;
| | - Abdelilah Meddich
- Laboratory of Agro-Food, Biotechnologies, and Valorization of Plant Bioresources, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd Prince Moulay Abdellah, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco;
| | - Mohammed Loudiki
- Water, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd Prince Moulay Abdellah, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (A.C.); (F.M.); (Z.H.)
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Lucas BF, Alberto Vieira Costa J, Brunner TA. Attitudes of consumers toward Spirulina and açaí and their use as a food ingredient. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2023.114600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
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Italian consumers standing at the crossroads of alternative protein sources: Cultivated meat, insect-based and novel plant-based foods. Meat Sci 2022; 193:108942. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Morillas-España A, Ruiz-Nieto Á, Lafarga T, Acién G, Arbib Z, González-López CV. Biostimulant Capacity of Chlorella and Chlamydopodium Species Produced Using Wastewater and Centrate. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11071086. [PMID: 36101464 PMCID: PMC9312269 DOI: 10.3390/biology11071086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The world population is expected to grow by over 2 billion people in the coming decades, involving an increase in agricultural production. Agriculture demands huge amounts of water and energy, so it is crucial to minimise the use of these resources to ensure a sustainable future. Plant biostimulants can promote germination, plant growth, flowering, and crop productivity, as well as increase nutrient-use efficiencies and resistance to abiotic stress. Microalgae are a novel and interesting source of biostimulants, and they can grow using wastewater. Although there is great interest in developing and applying these natural biostimulants produced from microalgae, there is still only a limited number of well-characterised and stable products available commercially. It is therefore necessary to identify novel strains that have a biostimulant capacity that are robust, that can grow in wastewater, and that are highly productive. This work determines the viability of producing high-quality microalgal biomass using wastewater and assesses the biostimulant capacity of the produced biomass. It is focused on an initial laboratory-scale study to produce these strains in wastewater and a preliminary validation of their biostimulant capacity. Abstract The aim of the present study was to assess the potential of producing four microalgal strains using secondary-treated urban wastewater supplemented with centrate, and to evaluate the biostimulant effects of several microalgal extracts obtained using water and sonication. Four strains were studied: Chlorella vulgaris UAL-1, Chlorella sp. UAL-2, Chlorella vulgaris UAL-3, and Chlamydopodium fusiforme UAL-4. The highest biomass productivity was found for C. fusiforme, with a value of 0.38 ± 0.01 g·L−1·day−1. C. vulgaris UAL-1 achieved a biomass productivity of 0.31 ± 0.03 g·L−1·day−1 (the highest for the Chlorella genus), while the N-NH4+, N-NO3−, and P-PO43− removal capacities of this strain were 51.9 ± 2.4, 0.8 ± 0.1, and 5.7 ± 0.3 mg·L−1·day−1, respectively. C. vulgaris UAL-1 showed the greatest potential for use as a biostimulant—when used at a concentration of 0.1 g·L−1, it increased the germination index of watercress seeds by 3.5%. At concentrations of 0.5 and 2.0 g·L−1, the biomass from this microalga promoted adventitious root formation in soybean seeds by 220% and 493%, respectively. The cucumber expansion test suggested a cytokinin-like effect from C. vulgaris UAL-1; it was also the only strain that promoted the formation of chlorophylls in wheat leaves. Overall, the results of the present study suggest the potential of producing C. vulgaris UAL-1 using centrate and wastewater as well as the potential utilisation of its biomass to develop high-value biostimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainoa Morillas-España
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (A.M.-E.); (Á.R.-N.); (T.L.); (G.A.)
- Functional Desalination and Photosynthesis Unit, CIESOL Solar Research Centre, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Ángela Ruiz-Nieto
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (A.M.-E.); (Á.R.-N.); (T.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Tomás Lafarga
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (A.M.-E.); (Á.R.-N.); (T.L.); (G.A.)
- Functional Desalination and Photosynthesis Unit, CIESOL Solar Research Centre, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Gabriel Acién
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (A.M.-E.); (Á.R.-N.); (T.L.); (G.A.)
- Functional Desalination and Photosynthesis Unit, CIESOL Solar Research Centre, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Zouhayr Arbib
- Sustainability Area FCC Aqualia, 04001 Almería, Spain;
| | - Cynthia V. González-López
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (A.M.-E.); (Á.R.-N.); (T.L.); (G.A.)
- Research Center for Mediterranean Intensive Agrosystems and Agrifood Biotechnology CIAIMBITAL, 04120 Almería, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Hernández-López I, Benavente Valdés JR, Castellari M, Aguiló-Aguayo I, Morillas-España A, Sánchez-Zurano A, Acién-Fernández FG, Lafarga T. Utilisation of the marine microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. and Tetraselmis sp. as innovative ingredients in the formulation of wheat tortillas. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Villaró S, Ciardi M, Morillas-España A, Sánchez-Zurano A, Acién-Fernández G, Lafarga T. Microalgae Derived Astaxanthin: Research and Consumer Trends and Industrial Use as Food. Foods 2021; 10:foods10102303. [PMID: 34681351 PMCID: PMC8534595 DOI: 10.3390/foods10102303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Villaró
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain; (S.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.-E.); (A.S.-Z.); (G.A.-F.)
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Martina Ciardi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain; (S.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.-E.); (A.S.-Z.); (G.A.-F.)
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Ainoa Morillas-España
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain; (S.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.-E.); (A.S.-Z.); (G.A.-F.)
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Ana Sánchez-Zurano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain; (S.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.-E.); (A.S.-Z.); (G.A.-F.)
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Gabriel Acién-Fernández
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain; (S.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.-E.); (A.S.-Z.); (G.A.-F.)
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Tomas Lafarga
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain; (S.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.-E.); (A.S.-Z.); (G.A.-F.)
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Almería, Spain
- Correspondence:
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