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Baldisserotto C, Gessi S, Ferraretto E, Merighi S, Ardondi L, Giacò P, Ferroni L, Nigro M, Travagli A, Pancaldi S. Cultivation modes affect the morphology, biochemical composition, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the green microalga Neochloris oleoabundans. PROTOPLASMA 2024:10.1007/s00709-024-01958-7. [PMID: 38864933 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-024-01958-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Microalgae are considered promising sustainable sources of natural bioactive compounds to be used in biotechnological sectors. In recent years, attention is increasingly given to the search of microalgae-derived compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for nutraceutical or pharmacological issues. In this context, attention is usually focused on the composition and bioactivity of algae or their extracts, while less interest is driven to their biological features, for example, those related to morphology and cultivation conditions. In addition, specific studies on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of microalgae mainly concern Chlorella or Spirulina. The present work was focused on the characterization of the Chlorophyta Neochloris oleoabundans under two combinations of cultivation modes: autotrophy and glucose-induced mixotrophy, each followed by starvation. Biomass for morphological and biochemical characterization, as well as for extract preparation, was harvested at the end of each cultivation phase. Analyses indicated a different content of the most important classes of bioactive compounds with antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties (lipids, exo-polysaccharides, pigments, total phenolics, and proteins). In particular, the most promising condition able to prompt the production of antioxidant algal biomass with anti-inflammatory properties was the mixotrophic one. Under mixotrophy, beside an elevated algal biomass production, a strong photosynthetic metabolism with high appression of thylakoid membranes and characteristics of high photo-protection from oxidative damage was observed and linked to the overproduction of exo-polysaccharides and lipids rather than pigments. Overall, mixotrophy appears a good choice to produce natural bioactive extracts, potentially well tolerated by human metabolism and environmentally sustainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Baldisserotto
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, C.So Ercole I d'Este, 32, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - S Gessi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato Di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - E Ferraretto
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, C.So Ercole I d'Este, 32, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato Di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - S Merighi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato Di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - L Ardondi
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, C.So Ercole I d'Este, 32, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - P Giacò
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, C.So Ercole I d'Este, 32, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - L Ferroni
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, C.So Ercole I d'Este, 32, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M Nigro
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato Di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - A Travagli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato Di Mortara, 17-19, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - S Pancaldi
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, C.So Ercole I d'Este, 32, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
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Rouphael Y, Carillo P, Ciriello M, Formisano L, El-Nakhel C, Ganugi P, Fiorini A, Miras Moreno B, Zhang L, Cardarelli M, Lucini L, Colla G. Copper boosts the biostimulant activity of a vegetal-derived protein hydrolysate in basil: morpho-physiological and metabolomics insights. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1235686. [PMID: 37692443 PMCID: PMC10484225 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1235686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
In addition to be used as a plant protection agent, copper (Cu) is also an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development. The bioavailability of Cu in agricultural systems can be limited due to its specific physical-chemical characteristics, leading to imbalances in plant production. To address this issue, an experimental trial was conducted on Genovese basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in protected conditions to comparatively evaluate the effects of a vegetable protein hydrolysate (VPH), free Cu and Cu complexed with peptides and amino acids of vegetal origin (Cu and Cu-VPH, respectively), and a combination of VPH and Cu-VPH (VPH+Cu-VPH). The study showed that the combined application of VPH+Cu-VPH led to a significant average increase of 16.3% in fresh yield compared to the untreated Control and Cu treatment. This finding was supported by an improved photosynthetic performance in ACO2 (+29%) and Fv/Fm (+7%). Furthermore, mineral analysis using ICP OES demonstrated that Cu and Cu-VPH treatments determined, on average, a 15.1-, 16.9-, and 1.9-fold increase in Cu in plant tissues compared to control, VPH, and VPH+Cu-VPH treatments, respectively. However, the VPH+Cu-VPH treatment induced the highest contents of the other analyzed ions, except for P. In particular, Mg, Mn, Ca, and Fe, which take part in the constitution of chlorophylls, water splitting system, and photosynthetic electron transport chain, increased by 23%, 21%, 25%, and 32% compared to respective controls. Indeed, this improved the photosynthetic efficiency and the carboxylation capacity of the plants, and consequently, the physiological and productive performance of Genovese basil, compared to all other treatments and control. Consistently, the untargeted metabolomics also pointed out a distinctive modulation of phytochemical signatures as a function of the treatment. An accumulation of alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenylpropanoids was observed following Cu treatment, suggesting an oxidative imbalance upon metal exposure. In contrast, a mitigation of oxidative stress was highlighted in Cu-VPH and VPH+Cu-VPH, where the treatments reduced stress-related metabolites. Overall, these results highlight an interaction between Cu and VPH, hence paving the way towards the combined use of Cu and biostimulants to optimize agronomic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Rouphael
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Petronia Carillo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Michele Ciriello
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Luigi Formisano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Christophe El-Nakhel
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Paola Ganugi
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Andrea Fiorini
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Begoña Miras Moreno
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Leilei Zhang
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Lucini
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
- CRAST Research Centre, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Colla
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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Grande T, Vornoli A, Lubrano V, Vizzarri F, Raffaelli A, Gabriele M, Novoa J, Sandoval C, Longo V, Echeverria MC, Pozzo L. Chlamydomonas agloeformis from the Ecuadorian Highlands: Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Profiling and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity. Foods 2023; 12:3147. [PMID: 37685081 PMCID: PMC10487033 DOI: 10.3390/foods12173147] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Green microalgae are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that, in recent years, are becoming increasingly important in the nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical fields because of their high content of bioactive compounds. In this study, a particular green microalga was isolated from freshwater highland lakes of Ecuador and morphologically and molecularly identified as Chlamydomonas agloeformis (ChA), and it was studied for nutritional and nutraceutical properties. The phenolic composition and the fatty acids profile of lyophilized cells were determined. The methanolic extract was analyzed for the phenolic compounds profile and the antioxidant capacity by means of in vitro tests. Finally, Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMEC-1) were exploited to explore the capacity of ChA to reduce the endothelial damage induced by oxidized LDL-mediated oxidative stress. The extract showed a good antioxidant ability thanks to the high content in polyphenolic compounds. The observed decrease in HMEC-1 cells endothelial damage also was probably due to the antioxidant compounds present in the extract. Based on the outcomes of our in vitro assays, ChA demonstrated to be a promising source of bioactive compounds possessing exceptional antioxidant capacities which make it a prospective functional food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Grande
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology-National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (T.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (M.G.); (V.L.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Vornoli
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology-National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (T.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (M.G.); (V.L.)
| | - Valter Lubrano
- Fondazione G. Monasterio, CNR/Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Francesco Vizzarri
- National Agricultural and Food Centre Nitra, Hlohovecká 2, 95141 Lužianky, Slovakia;
| | - Andrea Raffaelli
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology-National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (T.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (M.G.); (V.L.)
- Crop Science Research Center, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Morena Gabriele
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology-National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (T.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (M.G.); (V.L.)
| | - Jeniffer Novoa
- eCIER Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Universidad Técnica del Norte, Av. 17 de Julio 5–21 y Gral. José María Córdova, Ibarra 100150, Ecuador; (J.N.); (C.S.); (M.C.E.)
| | - Carla Sandoval
- eCIER Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Universidad Técnica del Norte, Av. 17 de Julio 5–21 y Gral. José María Córdova, Ibarra 100150, Ecuador; (J.N.); (C.S.); (M.C.E.)
| | - Vincenzo Longo
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology-National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (T.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (M.G.); (V.L.)
| | - Maria Cristina Echeverria
- eCIER Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Universidad Técnica del Norte, Av. 17 de Julio 5–21 y Gral. José María Córdova, Ibarra 100150, Ecuador; (J.N.); (C.S.); (M.C.E.)
| | - Luisa Pozzo
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology-National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (T.G.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (M.G.); (V.L.)
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Chini Zittelli G, Lauceri R, Faraloni C, Silva Benavides AM, Torzillo G. Valuable pigments from microalgae: phycobiliproteins, primary carotenoids, and fucoxanthin. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2023; 22:1733-1789. [PMID: 37036620 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00407-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Phycobiliproteins, carotenoids and fucoxanthin are photosynthetic pigments extracted from microalgae and cyanobacteria with great potential biotechnological applications, as healthy food colorants and cosmetics. Phycocyanin possesses a brilliant blue color, with fluorescent properties making it useful as a reagent for immunological essays. The most important source of phycocyanin is the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis, however, recently, the Rhodophyta Galdieria sulphuraria has also been identified as such. The main obstacle to the commercialization of phycocyanin is represented by its chemical instability, strongly reducing its shelf-life. Moreover, the high level of purity needed for pharmaceutical applications requires several steps which increase both the production time and cost. Microalgae (Chlorella, Dunaliella, Nannochloropsis, Scenedesmus) produce several light harvesting carotenoids, and are able to manage with oxidative stress, due to their free radical scavenging properties, which makes them suitable for use as source of natural antioxidants. Many studies focused on the selection of the most promising strains producing valuable carotenoids and on their extraction and purification. Among carotenoids produced by marine microalgae, fucoxanthin is the most abundant, representing more than 10% of total carotenoids. Despite the abundance and diversity of fucoxanthin producing microalgae only a few species have been studied for commercial production, the most relevant being Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Due to its antioxidant activity, fucoxanthin can bring various potential benefits to the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases. In this review, we update the main results achieved in the production, extraction, purification, and commercialization of these important pigments, motivating the cultivation of microalgae as a source of natural pigments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Chini Zittelli
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Rosaria Lauceri
- Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, CNR, Sede Di Verbania, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922, Verbania, Italy
| | - Cecilia Faraloni
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Ana Margarita Silva Benavides
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar Y Limnologίa, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, 2060, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, 2060, Costa Rica
| | - Giuseppe Torzillo
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar Y Limnologίa, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, 2060, Costa Rica.
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Vignaud J, Loiseau C, Hérault J, Mayer C, Côme M, Martin I, Ulmann L. Microalgae Produce Antioxidant Molecules with Potential Preventive Effects on Mitochondrial Functions and Skeletal Muscular Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12051050. [PMID: 37237915 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12051050] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, microalgae have become a source of molecules for a healthy life. Their composition of carbohydrates, peptides, lipids, vitamins and carotenoids makes them a promising new source of antioxidant molecules. Skeletal muscle is a tissue that requires constant remodeling via protein turnover, and its regular functioning consumes energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is produced by mitochondria. Under conditions of traumatic exercise or muscular diseases, a high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the origin of oxidative stress (OS) will lead to inflammation and muscle atrophy, with life-long consequences. In this review, we describe the potential antioxidant effects of microalgae and their biomolecules on mitochondrial functions and skeletal muscular oxidative stress during exercises or in musculoskeletal diseases, as in sarcopenia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), through the increase in and regulation of antioxidant pathways and protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Vignaud
- BiOSSE (Biology of Organisms, Stress, Health, Environment), Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Département Génie Biologique, Le Mans Université, F-53020 Laval, France
| | - Céline Loiseau
- BiOSSE (Biology of Organisms, Stress, Health, Environment), Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Département Génie Biologique, Le Mans Université, F-53020 Laval, France
| | - Josiane Hérault
- BiOSSE (Biology of Organisms, Stress, Health, Environment), Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Département Génie Biologique, Le Mans Université, F-53020 Laval, France
| | - Claire Mayer
- BiOSSE (Biology of Organisms, Stress, Health, Environment), Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Département Génie Biologique, Le Mans Université, F-53020 Laval, France
| | - Martine Côme
- BiOSSE (Biology of Organisms, Stress, Health, Environment), Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Département Génie Biologique, Le Mans Université, F-53020 Laval, France
| | - Isabelle Martin
- BiOSSE (Biology of Organisms, Stress, Health, Environment), Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Département Génie Biologique, Le Mans Université, F-53020 Laval, France
| | - Lionel Ulmann
- BiOSSE (Biology of Organisms, Stress, Health, Environment), Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Département Génie Biologique, Le Mans Université, F-53020 Laval, France
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