• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.165-173
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• 2004

This paper reviews the available published literature on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and COX-2 inhibition properties of phycocyanin from Spirulina. The potential application of for the prevention and mitigation of such radical-induced chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease, and age-related degenerative diseases like Alzheimer＇s disease, Parkinson＇s disease, diabetes and other conditions are discussed based on the available evidence.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2007

Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis is one of the commercially important filamentous cyanobacteria. The heterotrophic cultivation of Arthrospira can be an alternative strategy for commercial mass production. In heterotrophic culture, the specific growth rate of A. platensis M9108, a glucose-resistant mutant of A. platensis PCC 9108, was $0.014h^{-1}$ which was 1.8 higher than that oi the previous report. The mutant possessed the facility to assimilate and to metabolize glucose efficiently under heterotrophic condition. However, the r-linolenic acid content of 6 Arthrospira strains was not increased in heterotrophic culture. Four Arthrospira strains out of 6 tested strains were able to utilize maltose as a carbon source under heterotrophic condition. The biomass production of these strains on maltose was similar to that on glucose. The specific growth rate of A. platensis M9108 increased with glucose concentration up to 5.0 g/L and then decreased at a glucose concentration of 10.0 g/L. Additionally, A. platensis M9108 under heterotrophic condition showed no aggregation during the cultivation in contrast to A. platensis PCC 9108.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.359-365
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• 2011

Cyanobacterial strains of the genus Spirulina have recently been identified as an excellent source of sulfolipids, some of which possess anti-HIV properties. Thus, to investigate the distribution of sufolipid biosynthesis pathways in Spirulina, a genetic screening/phylogentic study was performed. Five different strains of Spirulina [Spirulina (Jiangmen), Spirulina sp., S. platensis, S. maxima, and Spirulina seawater] sourced from different locations were initially classified via 16S rDNA sequencing, and then screened for the presence of the sulfolipid biosynthesis genes sqdB and sqdX via a PCR. To assess the suitability of these strains for human consumption and safe therapeutic use, the strains were also screened for the presence of genes encoding nonribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs) and polyketide synthases (PKSs), which are often associated with toxin pathways in cyanobacteria. The results of the 16S rDNA analysis and phylogenetic study indicated that Spirulina sp. is closely related to Halospirulina, whereas the other four Spirulina strains are closely related to Arthrospira. Homologs of sqdB and sqdX were identified in Spirulina (Jiangmen), Spirulina sp., S. platensis, and the Spirulina seawater. None of the Spirulina strains screened in this study tested positive for NRPS or PKS genes, suggesting that these strains do not produce NRP or PK toxins.

• ALGAE
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2012

$Arthrospira$ $platensis$ and $Arthrospira$ $maxima$ are species of cyanobacteria used in health foods, animal feed, food additives, and fine chemicals. This study conducted a comparison of the 16S rRNA gene and $cpcBA$-intergenic spacer ($cpcBA$-IGS) sequences in $Arthrospira$ strains from culture collections around the world. A cluster analysis divided the 10 $Arthrospira$ strains into two main genotypic clusters, designated I and II, where Group I contained $A.$ $platensis$ SAG 86.79, UTEX 2340, $A.$ $maxima$ KCTC AG30054, and SAG 49.88, while Group II contained $A.$ $platensis$ PCC 9108, NIES 39, NIES 46, and SAG 257.80. However, although $A.$ $platensis$ PCC 9223 belonged to Group II-2 based on its $cpcBA$-IGS sequence, this strain also belonged to Group I based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and $cpcBA$-IGS sequences showed no division between $A.$ $platensis$ and $A.$ $maxima$, plus the 16S rRNA gene and $cpcBA$-IGS sequence clusters did not indicate any well-defined geographical distribution, instead overlapping in a rather interesting way. Therefore, the current study supports some previous conclusions based on 16S rRNA gene and $cpcBA$-IGS sequences, which found that $Arthrospira$ taxa are monophyletic. However, when compared with 16S rRNA sequences, $cpcBA$-IGS sequences may be better suited to resolve close relationships and intraspecies variability.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.966-974
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• 2019

Arthrospira platensis has been reported to contain a variety of substances such as phycocyanin, ${\beta}$-carotene, vitamin E and other carotenoids. In this study, zebrafish were treated with indoor cultivation spirulina ethanol extracts(ICAE) to determine toxicity(coagulation rate, hatching rate, heart rate). We used the DCFH-DA staining method to detect the effect of reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced zebrafish embryos ROS various concentrations(0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5mg/ml) of ICAE. Cell toxicity was measured by WST-1 assay on RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Also, measured the inhibitory effect of nitric oxide(NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production in RAW264.7 macrophages induced by LPS at various concentrations of ICAE. The results of embryo coagulation rate, hatching rate, heart rate of zebrafish at various(0.01, 0.05, 0.1mg/ml) of ICAE was no toxicity. The ICAE treated group had an inhibitory effect on NO and $PGE_2$ production compared and decreased with concentration. The results of this study ethanol extract of Arthrospira platensis has an anti-inflammatory effect and suggest that is worthy of use cosmetics for skin protection.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.556-563
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• 2018

Objective: Spirulina has been recognized formerly as a filamentous spiral-shaped blue- green algae but more recently as a genus of photosynthetic bacteria (Arthrospira). This microorganism is considered as a rich source of essential nutrients for human and animals. The present study was conducted to determine potential application of Spirulina for heat- exposed broilers. Methods: Two hundred and fifty Cobb 500 chicks with male to female in equal ratio with average initial weight of 615.6 g at 17 days of age were divided into 5 treatments with 5 replicates of 10 chicks. Treatment groups were as follows: positive and negative controls with 0% Spirulina supplement and three Spirulina receiving groups with 5 g/kg (0.5%), 10 g/kg (1%), and 20 g/kg (2%) supplementation. Spirulina receiving groups as well as positive control were exposed to high ambient temperature at $36^{\circ}C$ for 6 h/d from 38 to 44 days of age. Biochemical variables were measured in serum samples at 35, 38, 42, and 45 days of broiler chickens age. Results: The results showed that supplementation of the diet with Spirulina decreased concentration of stress hormone and some serum lipid parameters while enhanced humoral immunity response and elevated antioxidant status whereas it didn't meaningfully affect performance characteristics. Nevertheless, feed conversion ratio was improved numerically but not statistically in broilers fed with 1% Spirulina under high ambient temperature. Conclusion: Overall, the present study suggests that alleviation of adverse impacts due to high ambient temperature at biochemical level including impaired enzymatic antioxidant system, elevated stress hormone and lipid profile can be approached in broiler chickens through supplementation of the diet with Spirulina platensis.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2013

One of the most important challenges facing the Spirulina mass cultivation industry is to find a way to reduce the high production costs involved in production. Although the most commercial medium (Zarrouk's medium) for Spirulina cultivation is too expensive to use, it contains higher amount of $NaHCO_3$ (16.80 g $L^{-1}$), trace metals and vitamin solutions. The purpose of this study was to increase the efficiency of Spirulina platensis biomass production by developing a low-cost culture medium at an isolated tropical island such as Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This study set out to formulate a lowcost medium for the culture of S. platensis, by substituting nutrients of Zarrouk's medium using fertilizer- grade urea and soil extract with a different concentration of carbon source under natural weather condition. In order to select a low-cost culture medium of S. platensis, 10 culture media were prepared with different concentrations of nitrogen (urea and $NaNO_3$) and $NaHCO_3$. The highest maximum specific growth rate (${\mu}max$) and mass production were 0.50 $day^{-1}$ and 1.05 g $L^{-1}$ in modified medium ($NaHCO_3$ 7.50 g $L^{-1}$, urea 2.00 g $L^{-1}$ without $NaNO_3$) among all the synthesized media. Protein (56.14%) and carbohydrate (16.21%) concentrations of the lyophilized standard samples were estimated with highest concentration of glutamic acid (14.93%). This study revealed that the use of a low concentration of urea and $NaHCO_3$ with soil extract was an affordable medium for natural mass cultivation in the FSM.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2007

Factors indicating culture status of two Spirulina platensis strains were monitored in a batch mode cultivation for 36 days. Changing mode in all factors showed a common turning point, indicating shift of cell or culture status. Mean biomass productivity was highly sustained until day 22, chlorophyll a concentration peaked on day 22, pH value was > 12 on day 22, coil number was abruptly shortened on day 22, and floating activity was sustained at greater than 79% after day 22, indicating that day 22 is a criterion reflecting phase-transfer in cell physiology in a batch culture system. Many of these changes may have been caused by increased pH, suggesting that pH control is essential for mass production of S. platensis. Fluctuations in floating activity were likely induced by the number of cellular gas vacuoles. Consequently, coil number per trichome and floating activity of S. platensis could readily act as simple indicators for determination of culture status or harvesting time of cells.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2020

Arthrospira platensis is the oldest marine microalgae on the planet, is said to contain most of the nutrients needed by the human body. It's components are reported to contain a large amount of various substances such as phycocyanin, chlorophyll and β-carotene, and are known to have an aging and whitening effect. In this study, UVB-induced reactive oxygen species reduction efficacy and antioxidant activity of spirulina purified water extract were investigated. effect was confirmed by measuring DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP reducing power and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity of 0.05, 0.10, 0.50 1.0 mg/mL of spirulina purified water extract. The coagulation rate, hatching rate and heart rate toxicity were measured by treating spirulina purified water extract with 0.05, 0.10, 0.50 mg/mL concentration using Zebrafish, an alternative experimental animal model. UVB-induced ROS measurement was treated with spirulina extract at 0.05, 0.10, 0.50 mg/mL concentration, and then stained with DCFH-DA to confirm the inhibitory effect of ROS. As a result of measuring antioxidant effect, DPPH, FRAP and ABTS⁺ showed concentration-dependent antioxidant effects in comparison with ascorbic acid. and measuring the coagulation rate, hatching rate, and heart rate using Zebrafish, an alternative experimental animal, it was confirmed that there was no toxicity in 0.05 and 0.10 mg/mL except 0.5 mg/mL compared to the control group. The ROS scavenging activity of UVB-induced zebrafish showed higher ROS reduction than the positive control. The results of this study suggest that spirulina and purified water extracts are valuable for UV and skin protection cosmetics.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.481-485
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• 2005

The response of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis to high salt stress was investigated by incubating the cells in light of moderate intensity in the presence of 0.8 M NaCl. NaCl caused a decrease in photosystem II (PSII) mediated oxygen evolution activity and increase in photosystem I (PSI) activity and the amount of P700. Similarly maximal efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and variable fluorescence (Fv/Fo) were also declined in salt-stressed cells. Western blot analysis reveal that the inhibition in PSII activity is due to a 40% loss of a thylakoid membrane protein, known as D1, which is located in PSII reaction center. NaCl treatment of cells also resulted in the alterations of other thylakoid membrane proteins: most prominently, a dramatic diminishment of the 47-kDa chlorophyll protein (CP) and 94-kDa protein, and accumulation of a 17-kDa protein band were observed in SDS-PAGE. The changes in 47-kDa and 94-kDa proteins lead to the decreased energy transfer from light harvesting antenna to PSII, which was accompanied by alterations in the chlorophyll fluorescence emission spectra of whole cells and isolated thylakoids. Therefore we conclude that salt stress has various effects on photosynthetic electron transport activities due to the marked alterations in the composition of thylakoid membrane proteins.