A comparative study of the antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles prepared from Moringa oleifera and Spirulina platensis extracts against Aspergillus parasiticus isolated from Egyptian wheat grains

High hydrostatic pressure treatment of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis extracts and the baroprotective effect of sugars on phycobiliproteins

Antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles and simvastatin against toxigenic species of Aspergillus

Introduction: Considering that oily skin and hair is a constant concern, the search for active substances that helps skin and hair oiliness control it is a challenge in the Research & Development of cosmetics. Seaweeds are much known for its use as foods and microalgae are a type of seaweeds that convert solar light in bioactive compounds attractive for commercial interest. Spirulina platensis and Ascophyllum nodosum are microalgaes present potential to be applied in cosmetic formulations, due to its properties, such as antioxidant activity, skin hydration and skin and hair oiliness control. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the efficacy of hair care formulations containing Spirulina platensis and Ascophyllum nodosum extract. Methods: Shampoo and conditioner formulations supplement or not (vehicle) with Spirulina platensis and Ascophyllum nodosum extract were developed. Two hair samples of virgin brown hair with 10 g each were selected to perform the hair characterization tests and were evaluated in terms of Break force, combability and shine. After, 26 study participants were recruited for the clinical efficacy study and the sebum content were evaluated before and after 28 days of use. Results: After 28 days of application of the conditioner containing Spirulina platensis and Ascophyllum nodosum, a decrease of the combability force for the wet and dry hair sample and an increase of hair shine were observed. Conclusion: The formulation containing microalgae in combination presented benefits to the hair fiber, once the obtained results showed an improvement of hair mechanical properties and fibers surface.

Seafood products, including fresh tilapia fillets, are highly susceptible to rapid quality deterioration due to microbial contamination, posing a significant concern for food safety and public health. This study investigated, both experimentally and through artificial intelligence modeling, the antimicrobial activity of Spirulina platensis (SP) extracts against two common foodborne pathogens: total coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). SP extracts were obtained using the freeze-thaw method at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 5% (w/v), labeled as EA, EB, and EC, respectively. Microbial analysis was conducted on 25 fresh Nile tilapia fillets. Each fish was divided into four quarters: one served as the control, while the remaining three were treated with the different SP extract concentrations. Bacterial counts were recorded before treatment and at 1, 24, and 48 h post-treatment, with samples stored at 4 °C throughout. The antimicrobial activity of the SP extracts was modeled using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) models. The results indicated that SP extracts effectively reduced total coliform and S. aureus counts in the treated fish fillets. Both ANN and ANFIS models accurately predicted the reduction in microbial counts, validating the experimental results. Among the treatments, EC (5% concentration) exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity, outperforming EB and EA. These findings suggest that SP extracts hold promise as a natural preservative for seafood and other food products, contributing to food safety and public health protection. Future research should focus on identifying and characterizing the bioactive compounds in SP extracts across different food matrices, with potential applications in the development of functional foods and novel therapeutics.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-06228-x.

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological problems experienced by adolescence girls. Introduction to non-pharmacological treatment of dysmenorrhea in adolescence girls is required to reduce the risks arising from dysmenorrhea with pharmacology that has side effects on the body. Moringa Oleifera and Ginger Extracts are non-pharmacological therapies that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits. To find out the comparison of the effectiveness of Moringa Oleifera and Ginger Extracts against the intensity of dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls. The research methodology was a Study Case Literature Review of dysmenorrhea with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) before and after the intervention. There was a decrease in the intensity of dysmenorrhea in the two respondents. The comparison result was that Ginger Extract was more effective (83.3%) than Moringa Oleifera Extract (50%) in reducing the intensity of dysmenorrhea. We expected that Moringa Oleifera and Ginger Extracts could be an alternative in handling both prevention and non-pharmacological treatment of dysmenorrhea.

Spirulina platensis has a wide range of activities, notably antibacterial property against food pathogens. This study investigates the antibacterial activity of S. platensis extract on Total Mesophilic and Psychrophilic Aerobic Bacteria. The results were compared using statistical analysis and the predicted model values using artificial intelligence-based models such as artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) Models. The extraction of spirulina was done by using the freeze–thaw method with a concentration of 0.5, 1 and 5% w/v. Before the application of the extract, initial microbial load of fillets was analyzed the and the results were used as control. After application analysis was performed at 1, 24 and 48 h of storage at 4 °C. Based on the statistical analysis result the S. platensis extracts’ antimicrobial activity over TMAB of fresh tilapia fish fillets at 1, 24 and 48 h was using EA from 2.5 log10 CFU/g during the control stage to 1.8, 1.1 and 0.7 log10 CFU/g respectively whereas EB and EC was from 2.1 and 2.2 log10 CFU/g at control to 1.5, 0.8, 0.5 log10 CFU/g and 1.23, 0.6 and 0.32 log10 CFU/g respectively at the specified hour interval. Similarly, the three extracts over TPAB were from 2.8 log10 CFU/g at control time to 2.1, 1.5 and 0.9 in EA, while using EB reduces from 2.8 log10 CFU/g to 1.9, 1.3 and 0.8 log10 CFU/g at 1, 24 and 48 h respectively. Although EC presented the reduction from 1.9 log10 CFU/g to 1.4, 1 and 0.5 log10 CFU/g. This was supported by ANN and ANFIS models prediction.

Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are the main Aspergillums species that form aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are hepatotoxic, teratogenic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive. This study aimed to assess Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) extract inhibitory effect against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced immunotoxicity in male Swiss albino mice. Twenty-five inbred weaned mice were randomly divided into five groups. Group I (Control group), were given routine diet. Treatments administered were: Group II (S. platensis extract 100 mg/kg/day), Group III (AFB1 200 µg/kg/day), Group IV (S. platensis extract 100 mg/kg/day and AFB1 200 µg/kg/day) and Group V (S. platensis extract 200 mg/kg/day and AFB1 200 µg/kg/day) for 28 consecutive days. Blood was aseptically collected and centrifuged to obtain serum. Quantitative determination of IgG, IgM and IgA in blood serum was done using ELIZA kits. One-way ANOVA data analysis was done. Post-hoc analysis was done using Tukey’s Honestly Significantly Differenced (HSD). P<0.05 statistical significance level was considered significant. Compared to group I (control), treatment with AFB1 200 µg/Kg/day (group III) led to reduced IgA (0.7147±0.001 vs. 0.7075±0.010); reduced IgM (0.0916±0.003 vs. 0.0866±0.019) and elevated IgG (0.1746±0.001 vs. 0.2808±0.243) mean levels. Supplementation of S. platensis extract 200 mg/Kg/day (group V) reversed the AFB1 (200 µg/kg/day)-induced depression of IgA levels (0.7124±0.005 vs. 0.7075±0.010; P=0.05437); IgM (0.1005±0.004 vs. 0.0866±0.019; P=0.0178); as well as the induced elevation of IgG levels (0.1749±0.001 vs. 0.2808±0.243; P=0.0155). In conclusion, immune changes in IgG and IgM caused by AFB1 could be reversed by supplementation of S. platensis extract.

The search for naturally derived antimicrobials has emerged due to an increasing concern about the use of synthetic ones. In this investigation, we examined the antibacterial mechanism and potential synergistic effect of Spirulina platensis extracts and Nisin in inhibiting the growth of 23 strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative foodborne pathogens. We conducted four different extraction protocols to obtain S. platensis compounds, ultimately selecting the alcoholic acid-formic acid-sonication extraction due to its antimicrobial activity against 95.6% of the tested strains. Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus were selected for further analysis. Tests for Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Checkerboard test revealed MIC values ranging from 0.5 to 0.12 µg mL-1 for Nisin and from 0.5 to 0.06 µg mL-1 for the selected S. platensis extract. When combined, the MIC range was 0.12 to 0.078 µg mL-1. The combination of S. platensis extracts and Nisin showed synergistic effects (Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index0.302 to 0.18). The growth of foodborne pathogens tested was inhibited after 2, 6, 12, and 24 h with the combination of the compounds. Flow cytometry analysis showed that bacterial membrane permeability of the L. monocytogenes strain increased, while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) illustrated the leakage of intracellular material, indicating cell membrane disruption. These observations suggest that combining S. platensis and nisin could be a promising natural alternative to synthetic preservatives in the food industry.

Spirulina platensis extract improves the production and defenses of the common bean grown in a heavy metals-contaminated saline soil

Spirulina platensis represents promising sources of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and industrial applications. This study aimed to determine the active compounds in S. platensis extracts (SpE) formulation with three different solvents and in vitro testing against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.vaniliae. This study was conducted from January to July 2023. Identification of the active compounds present in the three SpE formulations was carried out using the GC-MS method. The effectiveness of SpE formulations was carried out with an inhibition test on F. oxysporum using a completely randomized design (CRD). Based on the results of GC-MS analysis, it is known that the main compounds present in the SpE formulation with ethanol solvent (F1) are trilinolein (48.35%), nonadecatriene (12.50%) and cis-9-hexadecenal (6.47%). SpE formulations using ethyl acetate solvent (F2) are cis-9-hexadecenal (19.53%) and benzene dicarboxylic acid (10.73%). SpE formulations using hexane solvent (F3) are oxacycloheptadec (24.83%) and octadecanoic acid (10.41%). Based on the results of Particle Size Analysis (PSA), it is known that the F1 formulation measures 59.22 µm, the F2 (7.22 µm), and the F3 (7.84 µm). The effectiveness testing of the three formulations showed that the SpE formulation with different solvents effectively inhibited the growth of the fungus F. oxysporum with an average inhibition of 8.41% - 100% compared to the control. F2 treatment with 10% and 15% concentrations resulted in the highest inhibition effect, namely 100%. The 10% and 15% concentrations in the F1 treatment were 8.41% and 39.67%, respectively. The F3 treatment produced 0% inhibition because the growth of the fungus F. oxysporum was better than that of the control. This study implies that SpE formulation with ethanol and ethyl acetate solvents has the potential as an antifungal, especially for F. oxysporum. From this study, the active compounds that act as antifungals are cis-9-hexadecenal, benzene dicarboxylic acid and diisooctyl phthalate.

One of the most promising, non-toxic, and biocompatible developments for many biological activities is the green synthesis of nanoparticles from plants. In this work, we investigated the antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized from Rhazya stricta aqueous extract against several plant pathogenic fungi. UV–visible spectroscopy, Zeta potential analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmitted electron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the biosynthesized AgNPs. Drechslera halodes, Drechslera tetramera, Macrophomina phaseolina, Alternaria alternata, and Curvularia australiensis were tested for their potential antifungal activity. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) of Aq. AgNPs and Alkaline Aq. AgNPs was observed at 405 nm and 415 nm, respectively. FTIR analysis indicated hydroxyl, nitrile, amine, and ketone functional groups. Aq. AgNPs and Alka-line Aq. AgNPs had velocities of − 27.7 mV and − 37.9 mV and sizes of 21–90 nm and 7.2–25.3 nm, respectively, according to zeta potential studies and TEM. The antifungal examination revealed that all species' mycelial development was significantly inhibited, accompanied by severe ultra-structural alterations. Among all treatments, Aq. AgNPs were the most effective fungicide. M. phaseolina was statistically the most resistant, whereas A. alternata was the most vulnerable. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on R. stricta's antifungal activity against these species.

Background: Obesity is associated with serious health risks, including premature mortality. This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of individual or combination treatment with Spirulina platensis and green coffee bean aqueous extracts in high-fat diet-induced (HFD) obese rats.Methods: Rats were fed on HFD to induce obesity. Corn oil in the HFD accounted for 50.98% of the calories. Fifty rats were divided into five groups (10 rats/group): control, HFD, HFD-Spirulina, HFD-coffee, HFD-Spirulina and coffee cotreatment groups. The serum levels of lipid, leptin, and insulin, as well as the hepatic mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), and peroxisome proliferator-activated alpha receptor (PPARα) were estimated.Results: The Spirulina and/or green coffee bean aqueous extracts decreased the final bodyweight and liver weight, and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. The extracts decreased the serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, leptin, and glucose, and enhanced the serum insulin level. Furthermore, the extracts enhanced the PGC-1α and PPARα mRNA levels and decreased the FAS mRNA levels.Conclusion: The individual or combination treatment with Spirulina platensis and green coffee bean extracts decreased obesity-induced hyperlipidemia and they can be potentially used to treat obesity. Abbreviations: ACC: Acetyl Co-A carboxylase; AF: Activity factor; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; ALT: Alanine amino transferase; AMP: Adenosine monophosphate; AMPK: AMP activated protein kinase; AST: Aspartate amino transferase; BMI: Body mass index; cAMP: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate; CBE: Coffee bean extract; CVD: Cardiovascular disorder; DRD4: Dopamine receptor D4; FAS: Fatty acid synthase; FFA: Free fatty acid; FTO: Fat mass and obesity gene; GOD: Glucose oxidase; G-6-P: Glucose-6-phosphatase; HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; HFD: High-fat diet; HMGRCR: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase; LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; LXR α: Liver X receptor α; MC4R: Melanocortin 4 receptor gene’; NO: Nitric oxide; PGC-1α: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha; PPARα: Peroxisome proliferator-activated alpha; PPARγ: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; REE: Resting energy expenditure; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; TC: Total cholesterol; T2DM: Type 2 diabetes; TG: Triacyl glycerol; TP: Total protein; VLDL: Very low-density lipoprotein; WLS: Weight loss surgery

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the highly toxic, non-essential heavy metals that inhibit plant growth and development by prompting chlorophyll loss and affecting photosynthetic activities. This study investigated the efficacy of Spirulina platensis and Sargassum polycystum extracts in alleviating Cd stress in Pak Choi at morpho-biochemical, anatomical, and molecular levels. Different concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 mL/L) of S. polycyctum (SAR), S. platensis (SPI), and a mixture of both extracts (SS) were exposed to 100 mg/kg Cd-contaminated Pak Choi seedlings. Non-Cd-treated Pak Choi and Cd-contaminated Pak Choi without algal extracts were assigned as positive and negative controls, respectively. The results showed that the application of algal extracts increased the plant height, fresh weight (FW), and dry weight (DW) as the extract level increased. This was greatest in 100SS with 37.51% (shoot length), 68.91% (root length), 110.8% (shoot DW), and 216.13% (root DW), while an increase of 176.7% (shoot FW) and 256.9% (root FW) was seen in the 100SPI treatment. Chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid, and chlorophyll fluorescence increased significantly after the treatment with 100SS. Antioxidant enzymes CAT, APX, POD, and protein were significantly increased in 100 mL/L extracts by 28.13% (100SS), 36.40% (100SAR), 46.92% (100SS), and 153.48% (100SS), respectively. The same treatment was also identified to dominate the development of root structures such as total length, surface area, projected area, diameter, volume, tips, and fork number. The highest reduction of Cd content in the root and shoot of Pak Choi was observed in 100SS with a 53.8% and 39.88% decrease, respectively. Increasing algal extract concentration also improved the leaf histological characteristics substantially, such as stomatal size and opening, mesophyll tissues, and vascular bundles. In addition, the fold change ratio of the Rubisco gene at 100SS treatment was noticeably greater than other algal extract treatments, with a 0.99 fold change when compared with the untreated sample. This present study illustrated that Sargassum polycyctum and Spirulina platensis extracts have the potential to effectively alleviate Cd stress in Pak Choi plants, especially with the application of 100 mL/L of an algal extract mixture. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable strategies for mitigating Cd toxicity in crops.

Spirulina platensis is a bioactive-rich microalga of great potential as a source of natural antioxidant. Natural antioxidants are increasing in demand, because it is considered as more safe than synthetic antioxidants. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of solvent on the potential of natural antioxidant from fresh S. platensis. The antioxidant compound was extracted using either acetone or ethyl acetate by reflux method. The yield of extractions were 1.86% and 3.07% for aceton and ethyl acetate, respectively. Fresh S. platensis extracts were considered as potential antioxidant source with IC50 values 65.89 ppm, and 76.36 ppm when using acetone and ethyl acetate, respectivetly, even though it were still lower compare to the IC50 of positive control quercetin i.e 21.64 ppm. Phytochemical test showed positive results of phenolic compound, triterpenoids, steroid, flavanoid, and saponin. aw value of Spirulina platensis was 0.61 and 0.81 for aceton and ethyl acetate, respectively. It was concluded that different solvent affected the antioxidant activity of S. platensis extract. Keywords: Antioxidants, aceton, ethyl acetate, fresh Spirulina platensis

The aim of the study was to evaluate Lactobacillus fermentum (L.fermentum) and Moringa oleifera (M.oleifera) extract for the future development synbiotic to improve the nutrient content of rice bran fermented products to support health. The treatments are divided into 7 treatments: 1:control (without probiotic and without M.oleifera extract); 2:(1% L. fermentum); 3:(1% L. fermentum + 1% M.oleifera extract); 4:(1% L. fermentum + 2% M.oleifera extract); 5:(2% L. fermentum; 6:(2% L. fermentum + 1% M.oleifera extract); 7:(2% L. fermentum + 2% M.oleifera extract), and then incubated at 37ºC, 24 hours. Isolate L. fermentum (108 cfu/ml) which has been incubated with M. oleifera extract, then sprayed on the rice bran according to the each treatment, then incubated an aerob condition for 5 and 10 days. After the fermentation period was complete, a proximate analysis was carried out. Results: The addition of L. fermentum and M.oleifera extract could increase the crude protein content from 12.66% to 15.94% (2% L.fermentum + 2% M.oleifera extract on 5 days of fermentation), decrease crude fiber from 21.28% to 13.50% (2% L.fermentum + 1% M.oleifera extract on 5 days of fermentation), increase nitrogen free extract (NFE) from 43.81% to 51.53% (2% L.fermentum + 1% M.oleifera extract on 5 days of fermentation), increase metabolizable energy (ME) from 3006.97 kcal/kg to 3294.96 kcal/kg (1% L.fermentum + 1% M.oleifera extract, on 5 days of fermentation). The addition of 1% and 2% L.fermentum as probiotic and 1% and 2% Moringa oleifera extract as prebiotic had potential properties as synbiotic.