1
|
Minić S, Gligorijević N, Veličković L, Nikolić M. Narrative Review of the Current and Future Perspectives of Phycobiliproteins' Applications in the Food Industry: From Natural Colors to Alternative Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7187. [PMID: 39000294 PMCID: PMC11241428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Vivid-colored phycobiliproteins (PBPs) have emerging potential as food colors and alternative proteins in the food industry. However, enhancing their application potential requires increasing stability, cost-effective purification processes, and consumer acceptance. This narrative review aimed to highlight information regarding the critical aspects of PBP research that is needed to improve their food industry potential, such as stability, food fortification, development of new PBP-based food products, and cost-effective production. The main results of the literature review show that polysaccharide and protein-based encapsulations significantly improve PBPs' stability. Additionally, while many studies have investigated the ability of PBPs to enhance the techno-functional properties, like viscosity, emulsifying and stabilizing activity, texture, rheology, etc., of widely used food products, highly concentrated PBP food products are still rare. Therefore, much effort should be invested in improving the stability, yield, and sensory characteristics of the PBP-fortified food due to the resulting unpleasant sensory characteristics. Considering that most studies focus on the C-phycocyanin from Spirulina, future studies should concentrate on less explored PBPs from red macroalgae due to their much higher production potential, a critical factor for positioning PBPs as alternative proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Minić
- Department of Biochemistry and Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nikola Gligorijević
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Luka Veličković
- Department of Biochemistry and Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Nikolić
- Department of Biochemistry and Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jing Y, Luo L, Zeng Z, Zhao X, Huang R, Song C, Chen G, Wei S, Yang H, Tang Y, Jin S. Targeted Screening of Curcumin Derivatives as Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitors Using Computer-Aided Drug Design. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:27669-27679. [PMID: 38947805 PMCID: PMC11209693 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c03596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Curcumin has demonstrated promising preclinical antiobesity effects, but its low bioavailability makes it difficult to exert its full effect at a suitable dose. The objective of this study was to screen curcumin derivatives with enhanced bioavailability and lipid-lowering activity under the guidance of computer-aided drug design (CADD). CAAD was used to perform virtual assays on curcumin derivatives to assess their pharmacokinetic properties and effects on pancreatic lipase activity. Subsequently, 19 curcumin derivatives containing 5 skeletons were synthesized to confirm the above virtual assay. The in vitro pancreatic lipase inhibition assay was employed to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of these 19 curcumin derivatives. Based on CADD analysis and in vitro pancreatic lipase inhibition, 2 curcumin derivatives outperformed curcumin in both aspects. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) experiments were employed to assess the binding equilibrium constants (K d) of the aforementioned 2 curcumin derivatives, curcumin, and the positive control drug with pancreatic lipase. Through virtual screening utilizing a chemoinformatics database and molecular docking, 6 derivatives of curcumin demonstrated superior solubility, absorption, and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity compared to curcumin. The IC50 value for 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane-3,5-dione (C4), which displayed the most effective inhibitory effect, was 42.83 μM, while the IC50 value for 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)heptane-3,5-dione (C6) was 98.62 μM. On the other hand, the IC50 value for curcumin was 142.24 μM. The MST experiment results indicated that the K d values of C4, C6, and curcumin were 2.91, 18.20, and 23.53 μM, respectively. The results of the activity assays exhibited a relatively high degree of concordance with the outcomes yielded by CADD screening. Under the guidance of CADD, the targeted screening of curcumin derivatives with excellent properties in this study exhibited high-efficiency and low-cost benefits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Jing
- School
of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese
Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Laichun Luo
- School
of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese
Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhaoxiang Zeng
- School
of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese
Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xueyan Zhao
- School
of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese
Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rongzeng Huang
- School
of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese
Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chengwu Song
- School
of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese
Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Center
of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization for Liver Diseases, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei
Shizhen Laboratory, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guiying Chen
- Wuhan
Hongren Biopharmaceutical Inc, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Sha Wei
- School
of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University
of Chinese Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Haijun Yang
- School
of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University
of Chinese Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yinping Tang
- School
of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese
Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shuna Jin
- Hubei
Shizhen Laboratory, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
- School
of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University
of Chinese Medicine, 430065 Wuhan, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sun X, Zhang Z, Li W, Tian H, Yuan L, Yang X. Stability of high internal-phase emulsions prepared from phycocyanin and small-molecule sugars. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2024; 104:2917-2927. [PMID: 38036304 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of high internal-phase Pickering emulsions in the food industry is widespread due to their excellent stability and special rheological properties. Proteins are often used as food-grade Pickering stabilizers due to their safety and nutritious properties. Nowadays, the development and efficient utilization of novel proteins as Pickering stabilizers has become a new challenge. RESULTS Phycocyanin complexes with small-molecule sugars (SMS), formed as a result of non-thermal interactions, can serve as stabilizers for high internal-phase Pickering emulsions. The addition of SMS-enabled gel-like emulsions significantly reduced the amount of emulsifier used. When the SMS was sorbitol, the emulsion had excellent elastic properties and self-supporting ability and was stable during long-term storage, when subjected to centrifugation, and under different temperature conditions. The fluorescent property of phycocyanin was utilized to investigate the formation mechanism of the emulsion. Small-molecule sugars were able to form 'sugar-shell' structures on the surface of proteins to enhance the structural stability of proteins. Phycocyanin-SMS-stabilized emulsions provided superior protection for photosensitive and volatile substances. The retention rates of trans-resveratrol and n-hexane increased by 384.75% and 30.55%, respectively. CONCLUSION These findings will encourage the development of proteins that stabilize Pickering emulsions. They will also provide new ideas for protecting photosensitive and volatile substances. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Sun
- Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Food Green Processing and Safety Control, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Hazard Factors Assessment in Processing and Storage of Agricultural Products, Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization of Western Fruit Resources, College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhong Zhang
- Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Food Green Processing and Safety Control, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Hazard Factors Assessment in Processing and Storage of Agricultural Products, Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization of Western Fruit Resources, College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, China
| | - Hongye Tian
- Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Food Green Processing and Safety Control, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Hazard Factors Assessment in Processing and Storage of Agricultural Products, Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization of Western Fruit Resources, College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Food Green Processing and Safety Control, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Hazard Factors Assessment in Processing and Storage of Agricultural Products, Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization of Western Fruit Resources, College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xingbin Yang
- Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Food Green Processing and Safety Control, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Hazard Factors Assessment in Processing and Storage of Agricultural Products, Engineering Research Center of High Value Utilization of Western Fruit Resources, College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Terracina F, Saletti M, Paolino M, Venditti J, Giuliani G, Bonechi C, Licciardi M, Cappelli A. Cross-Linked Hyaluronan Derivatives in the Delivery of Phycocyanin. Gels 2024; 10:91. [PMID: 38391421 PMCID: PMC10887560 DOI: 10.3390/gels10020091] [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: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
An easy and viable crosslinking technology, based on the "click-chemistry" reaction copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (click-crosslinking), was applied to graft copolymers of medium molecular weight (i.e., 270 kDa) hyaluronic acid (HA) grafted with ferulic acid (FA) residues bearing clickable propargyl groups, as well as caffeic acid derivatives bearing azido-terminated oligo(ethylene glycol) side chains. The obtained crosslinked materials were characterized from the point of view of their structure and aggregation liability to form hydrogels in a water environment. The most promising materials showed interesting loading capability regarding the antioxidant agent phycocyanin (PC). Two novel materials complexes (namely HA(270)-FA-TEGEC-CL-20/PC and HA(270)-FA-HEGEC-CL-20/PC) were obtained with a drug-to-material ratio of 1:2 (w/w). Zeta potential measurements of the new complexes (-1.23 mV for HA(270)-FA-TEGEC-CL-20/PC and -1.73 mV for HA(270)-FA-HEGEC-CL-20/PC) showed alterations compared to the zeta potential values of the materials on their own, suggesting the achievement of drug-material interactions. According to the in vitro dissolution studies carried out in different conditions, novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) were obtained with a variety of characteristics depending on the desired route of administration and, consequently, on the pH of the surrounding environment, thanks to the complexation of phycocyanin with these two new crosslinked materials. Both complexes showed excellent potential for providing a controlled/prolonged release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). They also increased the amount of drug that reach the target location, enabling pH-dependent release. Importantly, as demonstrated by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the complexation process, involving freezing and freeze-drying, showed no adverse effects on the antioxidant activity of phycocyanin. This activity was preserved in the two novel materials and followed a concentration-dependent pattern similar to pure PC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Terracina
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Saletti
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Paolino
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Jacopo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Germano Giuliani
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Bonechi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Mariano Licciardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Cappelli
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li W, Li Y, Wang Q, Liu R, Lu J, Lu W, Qin S. Therapeutic effect of phycocyanin on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00009-2. [PMID: 38211884 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.009] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prevention and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is closely tied to antioxidation and anti-inflammation. Phycocyanin (PC) has numerous pharmacological effects, such as antioxidation and anti-inflammation. However, it remains unclear whether PC can play a therapeutic role in COPD. OBJECTIVE As inflammation and oxidative stress can aggravate COPD, this study is to explore the effect of PC on COPD mice and its mechanisms. METHODS The COPD mice model was established by exposing them to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoke (CS); PC was administrated in a concentration of 50 mg/kg for 30 days. On the last day, lung function was measured, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained and classified for cells. Lung tissue pathological change was analyzed, and organ indices statistics were measured. Based on molecular docking, the mechanism was explored with Western blotting, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS PC significantly ameliorated the pulmonary function of COPD mice and reduced inflammation of the lung (p < 0.05), and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining showed PC depressed lung inflammatory cell accumulation and emphysema. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining revealed that PC retarded goblet cells metaplasia and collagen deposition (p < 0.05). In addition, in vivo PC regulated Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) (p < 0.05) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1) level (p < 0.01) in the lung, as well as NOX2 level in pulmonary macrophages. Molecular docking results indicate that phycocyanobilin (PCB) in PC had a good binding site in Keap1 and NOX2 proteins; the phycocyanobilin-bound phycocyanin peptide (PCB-PC-peptide) was obtained for further studies. In vitro, PCB-PC-peptide could depress the phospho-NF-E2-related factor 2 (p-Nrf2) and NQO1 protein expression in RAW264.7 cells induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION PC exerts beneficial effects on COPD via anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress, which may be achieved through PCB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Li
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250355, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institue of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510031, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250355, China
| | - Runze Liu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Jianing Lu
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China
| | - Wenju Lu
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510030, China; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institue of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510031, China.
| | - Song Qin
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250355, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gligorijević N, Jovanović Z, Cvijetić I, Šunderić M, Veličković L, Katrlík J, Holazová A, Nikolić M, Minić S. Investigation of the Potential of Selected Food-Derived Antioxidants to Bind and Stabilise the Bioactive Blue Protein C-Phycocyanin from Cyanobacteria Spirulina. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:229. [PMID: 38203400 PMCID: PMC10779248 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Blue C-phycocyanin (C-PC), the major Spirulina protein with innumerable health-promoting benefits, is an attractive colourant and food supplement. A crucial obstacle to its more extensive use is its relatively low stability. This study aimed to screen various food-derived ligands for their ability to bind and stabilise C-PC, utilising spectroscopic techniques and molecular docking. Among twelve examined ligands, the protein fluorescence quenching revealed that only quercetin, coenzyme Q10 and resveratrol had a moderate affinity to C-PC (Ka of 2.2 to 3.7 × 105 M-1). Docking revealed these three ligands bind more strongly to the C-PC hexamer than the trimer, with the binding sites located at the interface of two (αβ)3 trimers. UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy demonstrated the changes in the C-PC absorption spectra in a complex with quercetin and resveratrol compared to the spectra of free protein and ligands. Selected ligands did not affect the secondary structure content, but they induced changes in the tertiary protein structure in the CD study. A fluorescence-based thermal stability assay demonstrated quercetin and coenzyme Q10 increased the C-PC melting point by nearly 5 °C. Our study identified food-derived ligands that interact with C-PC and improve its thermal stability, indicating their potential as stabilising agents for C-PC in the food industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Gligorijević
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Studentski trg 12–16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Zorana Jovanović
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry, Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences & Department of Biochemistry, Studentski trg 12–16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (Z.J.); (L.V.)
| | - Ilija Cvijetić
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Studentski trg 12–16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Miloš Šunderić
- University of Belgrade-Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), Banatska 31b, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Luka Veličković
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry, Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences & Department of Biochemistry, Studentski trg 12–16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (Z.J.); (L.V.)
| | - Jaroslav Katrlík
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 5807/9, 84538 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.K.); (A.H.)
| | - Alena Holazová
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 5807/9, 84538 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.K.); (A.H.)
| | - Milan Nikolić
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry, Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences & Department of Biochemistry, Studentski trg 12–16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (Z.J.); (L.V.)
| | - Simeon Minić
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry, Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences & Department of Biochemistry, Studentski trg 12–16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (Z.J.); (L.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cao K, Wang X, Sun F, Zhang H, Cui Y, Cao Y, Yao Q, Zhu X, Yao T, Wang M, Meng C, Gao Z. Promoting Heme and Phycocyanin Biosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 by Overexpression of Porphyrin Pathway Genes with Genetic Engineering. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:403. [PMID: 37504934 PMCID: PMC10382063 DOI: 10.3390/md21070403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their unique biochemical and spectroscopic properties, both heme and phycocyanobilin are widely applied in the medical and food industries. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 contains both heme and phycocyanin, and is capable of synthesizing phycocyanin using heme as a precursor. The aim of this study was to uncover viable metabolic targets in the porphyrin pathway from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to promote the accumulation of heme and phycocyanin in the recombinant strains of microalgae. A total of 10 genes related to heme synthesis pathway derived from Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 and 12 genes related to endogenous heme synthesis were individually overexpressed in strain PCC 6803. The growth rate and pigment content (heme, phycocyanin, chlorophyll a and carotenoids) of 22 recombinant algal strains were characterized. Quantitative real-time PCR technology was used to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the changes in physiological indicators in the recombinant algal strains. Among the 22 mutant strains, the mutant overexpressing the haemoglobin gene (glbN) of strain PCC 6803 had the highest heme content, which was 2.5 times higher than the wild type; the mutant overexpressing the gene of strain PCC 7942 (hemF) had the highest phycocyanin content, which was 4.57 times higher than the wild type. Overall, the results suggest that genes in the porphyrin pathway could significantly affect the heme and phycocyanin content in strain PCC 6803. Our study provides novel crucial targets for promoting the accumulation of heme and phycocyanin in cyanobacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Cao
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Fengjie Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Yulin Cui
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Yujiao Cao
- School of Foreign Languages, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255090, China
| | - Qingshou Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Ting Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Yantai Hongyuan Bio-Fertilizer Co., Ltd., Yantai 264000, China
| | - Chunxiao Meng
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Zhengquan Gao
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fernandes R, Campos J, Serra M, Fidalgo J, Almeida H, Casas A, Toubarro D, Barros AIRNA. Exploring the Benefits of Phycocyanin: From Spirulina Cultivation to Its Widespread Applications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040592. [PMID: 37111349 PMCID: PMC10144176 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-scale production of microalgae and their bioactive compounds has steadily increased in response to global demand for natural compounds. Spirulina, in particular, has been used due to its high nutritional value, especially its high protein content. Promising biological functions have been associated with Spirulina extracts, mainly related to its high value added blue pigment, phycocyanin. Phycocyanin is used in several industries such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, which increases its market value. Due to the worldwide interest and the need to replace synthetic compounds with natural ones, efforts have been made to optimize large-scale production processes and maintain phycocyanin stability, which is a highly unstable protein. The aim of this review is to update the scientific knowledge on phycocyanin applications and to describe the reported production, extraction, and purification methods, including the main physical and chemical parameters that may affect the purity, recovery, and stability of phycocyanin. By implementing different techniques such as complete cell disruption, extraction at temperatures below 45 °C and a pH of 5.5-6.0, purification through ammonium sulfate, and filtration and chromatography, both the purity and stability of phycocyanin have been significantly improved. Moreover, the use of saccharides, crosslinkers, or natural polymers as preservatives has contributed to the increased market value of phycocyanin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Fernandes
- Mesosystem, Rua da Igreja Velha 295, 4410-160 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Joana Campos
- Mesosystem, Rua da Igreja Velha 295, 4410-160 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Mónica Serra
- Mesosystem, Rua da Igreja Velha 295, 4410-160 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Javier Fidalgo
- Mesosystem, Rua da Igreja Velha 295, 4410-160 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Hugo Almeida
- Mesosystem, Rua da Igreja Velha 295, 4410-160 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- UCIBIO (Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences), REQUIMTE (Rede de Química e Tecnologia), MEDTECH (Medicines and Healthcare Products), Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Casas
- Mesosystem, Rua da Igreja Velha 295, 4410-160 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Duarte Toubarro
- CBA and Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Azores, Rua Mãe de Deus No 13, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Ana I R N A Barros
- Mesosystem, Rua da Igreja Velha 295, 4410-160 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shang MH, Sun JF, Bi Y, Xu XT, Zang XN. Fluorescence and antioxidant activity of heterologous expression of phycocyanin and allophycocyanin from Arthrospira platensis. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1127422. [PMID: 36891162 PMCID: PMC9987159 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1127422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Phycocyanin and allophycocyanin are important active substances in Arthrospira platensis, because of their fluorescent characteristic and antioxidant capacity. In order to solve the problem of insufficient production and inconvenient modification of natural protein, recombinant expression was performed and the fluorescence activity and antioxidant activity was analyzed to meet the demand for phycocyanin and allophycocyanin. A total of seven recombinant strains were constructed in this study, including individual phycocyanin or allophycocyanin, co-expression of phycocyanin-allophycocyanin, and their co-expression with chromophore, and the expression strain for individual chromophore. Different molecular weights of phycocyanin and allophycocyanin were detected in the recombinant strains, which indicated the different polymers expressed. Through mass spectrometry identification, phycocyanin and allophycocyanin may form a dimer of 66 kDa and a polymer of 300 kDa. The results of fluorescence detection showed that phycocyanin and allophycocyanin combined with phycocyanobilin to show fluorescence activity. The fluorescence peak of recombinant phycocyanin was mainly concentrated at 640 nm, which was similar to natural phycocyanin, the fluorescence peak of purified recombinant allophycocyanin was at about 642 nm. The fluorescence peak of the co-expressed recombinant phycocyanin-allophycocyanin is located at 640 nm, and the fluorescence intensity is between the recombinant phycocyanin and the recombinant allophycocyanin. After purification, the fluorescence peak of the recombinant phycocyanin is more concentrated and the fluorescence intensity is higher, which is about 1.3 times of recombinant phycocyanin-allophycocyanin, 2.8 times of recombinant allophycocyanin, indicating that phycocyanin may be more suitable to be used as fluorescence probe in medicine. The antioxidant capacity was measured by using total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-1-triphenylhydrazino) free radical scavenging method, and the recombinant phycobiliprotein showed antioxidant activity. Phycocyanobilin also has certain antioxidant activity and could enhance the antioxidant activity of phycobiliprotein to a certain extent. Recombinant phycocyanin-allophycocyanin polymer has stronger T-AOC, which is about 1.17-2.25 times that of the other five recombinant proteins. And recombinant phycocyanin has stronger DPPH antioxidant activity, which is about 1.2-2.5 times that of the other five recombinant proteins. This study laid the foundation for the application of recombinant phycocyanin and allophycocyanin in medical detection and drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Hui Shang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Jian-Fei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Ying Bi
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiao-Ting Xu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiao-Nan Zang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|