• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.1852-1857
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina maxima treated with ultrasonication and water extraction process. S. maxima extracted via ultrasonication showed low cytotoxicity (16.90%) in a normal human cell line, CCD-986sk. Especially, S. maxima ultrasonication extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activities (46.82%) compared to water extract (31.30%) at $100^{\circ}C$. In addition, ultrasonication extract showed a high amount of flavonoids (21.60 mg/g) and total phenols ($8.36{\mu}g/mL$). Nitric oxide production by 1.0 mg/mL of S. maxima ultrasonication extract strongly inhibited ($1.3770{\mu}M$), whereas water extract showed lower inhibition ($1.5784{\mu}M$). TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 cytokines were effectively inhibited by 1.0 mg/mL of S. maxima ultrasonication extract, which shows strong antioxidant activities. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the ultrasonication process increase anti-inflammatory activity of S. maxima extract.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.149-156
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• 2021

Excessive glutamate can cause oxidative stress in neuronal cells and this can be the reason for neurodegenerative disease. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of Spirulina maxima hot ethanol extract on mouse hippocampal HT22 cell of which glutamate receptor has no function. HT22 cells were pre-treated with S. maxima sample at a dose dependent manner (1, 10 and 100 ㎍/ml). After an hour, glutamate was treated. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, Ca²⁺ influx, decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential level and glutathione related assays were followed by then. S. maxima ethanol extract improved the cell viability by suppressing the ROS and Ca²⁺ formation, retaining the mitochondrial membrane potential level and protecting the activity of the antioxidant enzymes compared with group of vehicle-treated controls. These suggest that S. maxima may decelerate the neurodegeneration by attenuating neuronal damage and oxidative stress.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.37.1-37.5
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• 2016

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Anti-HIV agents targeting various steps in HIV life cycle have been developed; however, so far, no effective drugs have been found. We show here that a peptide isolated from Spirulina maxima (SM-peptide) inhibits HIV-1 infection in a human T cell line MT4. SM-peptide inhibited $HIV-1_{IIIB}$-induced cell lysis with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) of 0.691 mM, while its 50 % cytotoxic concentration ($CC_{50}$) was greater than 1.457 mM. Furthermore, the SM-peptide inhibited the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity and p24 antigen production. This suggests that SM-peptide is a novel candidate peptide, which may be developed as a therapeutic agent for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2010

A marine alga, Spirulina maxima, was extracted under high pressure and low temperature conditions at 500 MPa and $60^{\circ}C$ for 5 and 10 min. A high pressure of 500 MPa was applied to improve process yields because of low temperature extraction. This method resulted in highest higher extraction yield of 26.1% (w/w) in comparison to those results obtained from conventional extraction methods which produced a yield of 17.6% (w/w) from water. The extracts from this process also showed 19% of low cytotoxicity against human normal fibroblast cells in adding 1.0 mg/ml of the highest concentration. The crude extract significantly reduced the production of Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) from CCD-986sk cells and increased nitric oxide production by macrophages. These higher activities of enhancing skin immune functions were found to have high antioxidant extract properties, like a 98% increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extracts from the high pressure process showed a higher elution of active components than other processes and generated new compounds based on HPLC analysis. This clearly indicates that the extracts from high pressure and low temperature conditions have higher skin immune activation properties that have not been previously reported.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.313-319
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• 2009

The marine microalga Spirulina maxima was extracted using water or ethanol at 100 or $80^{\circ}C$ and by ultrasonification in water at $60^{\circ}C$. The ultrasonification technique generated the highest yield (19.8%). To be therapeutically useful, the extraction should yield a product with low cytotoxicity and high immunity against skin infections. The cytotoxicity of all extracts (1.0 mg/mL) was below 25%. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the extract generated by ultrasonification was 5%. Extracts prepared in the described manners could inhibit hyaluronidase activity by up to 40% compared to the control. Increased growth of human B, T and NK cells and an increase in cytokine secretion were observed, confirming the interrelationship between both human immune and skin immune activity. The extract prepared by ultrasonification increased the growth of human B, T and NK cells up to $10.3{\times}10^4$ cells/mL, $11.3{\times}10^4$ cells/mL and $19.1{\times}10^4$ cells/mL, respectively. The extract prepared by ultrasonification also greatly increased the secretion of both IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Moreover, it was estimated that protein, Na and leucine occupy a high ratio. Accordingly, this study has confirmed that extracts prepared as described have the potential to effectively increase skin immunity.

• 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 Nutrition and Health
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.98-101
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• 1976

The essential amino acids composition of Green algae (chlorella ellipsoidea) that was isolated near the suwon was compared with that of soy flour and the provisional pattern of amino acids of reference protein of FAO and found that the limit amino acid was methionine. The rest of essential amino acids were distributed widely and abunduntly. While soy flour was defficient in methionine and valine on comparing with the provisional pattern. Slightly more content of methionine was recognized in chlorella protein than that of spirulina maxima which was reported to be eaten in the Lake Chard region of Africa and Mexico as a daily food. It was concluded that good quality protein is able to be synthesised from the wild alage if a qualified alage media was given to them.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.76-82
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• 1998

The feasibility of algae as means of removing nitrogen and phosphorus from secondary treated swine wastewater was studied. Among the tested 7 species of Chlorella vulgaris (UTEX 265), Chlorella sp. GE 21, Botryococcus braunii (UTEX 572), Botryococcus sp. GE 24, Scenedesmus quadricauda, Phormidium sp. GE 2, and Spirulina maxima (UTEX 2342), C. vulgaris was selected for its fast growth and abilities to remove nitrogen and phosphorus and to produce algal biomass from swine wastewater. C. vulgaris grew well at 35$^{\circ}C$, and the optimum initial pH for growth was 8.0. In the effect of light intensity, the growth of C. vulgaris was limited under a light intensity of less than 40 ${\mu}$E/$m^2$/s. The secondary treated swine wastewater contained 58.7 mg/l of total nitrogen and 14.7 mg/l of total phosphorus, and was diluted to 75, 50, and 25% with groundwater to be treated. Nitrogen and phosphorus were removed by C. vulgaris in all diluted swine wastewaters among which the most effective removal was in 75% swine wastewater (swine wastewater:groundwater=3:1). There was a tendency of linear increase in nitrogen and phosphorus removal time with increasing concentration of swine wastewater. Under the optimized culture condition, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were effectively removed to 95.3% and 96.0%, respectively, in 25% swine wastewater after 4-day incubation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2007

The objective of this research was to review the correlation between microalgae and agricultural water quality. Although microalgae has been considered as an essential factor for control1ing of water ecosystem, little attention has been paid for evaluating of microalgae as an important factor for water quality management. But it can be use to make us know the water pollution state at saprobic system, LTSI (Lake Tropic State Index), DAIpo (Diatom Assemblage Index to Organic Pollution), and AGP (Algal growth potential). In saprobic system, it is used microalgae such as Actinastrum hantzschii var. fluviatile, Asterionella gracillima, Coelastrum microporum, Synedra acus, Dictyosphaerium pulchellum, Micractinium pusillum, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Microcystis aeruginosa, Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Nitzschia palea for assessment water quality. In addition, they have ecologically significant characteristics such as dominant species, cosmopolitan species, redtide causative species etc. Also, microalgae such as Botryococcus braunii, B. sp., Chlorella vulgaris, C. sp., Phormidium sp., Scenedesmus quadricauda, Selenastrum capricornutum, Spirulina maxima, and S. platensis have an effect on improvement of water quality.