Abstract
The cyanobacterial genus Arthrospira appears very conserved and has been divided into five main genetic clusters on the basis of molecular taxonomy markers. Genetic studies of seven Arthrospira strains, including genome sequencing, have enabled a better understanding of those photosynthetic prokaryotes. Even though genetic manipulations have not yet been performed with success, many genomic and proteomic features such as stress adaptation, nitrogen fixation, or biofuel production have been characterized. Many of above-mentioned studies aimed to optimize the cultivation conditions. Factors like the light intensity and quality, the nitrogen source, or different modes of growth (auto-, hetero-, or mixotrophic) have been studied in detail. The scaling-up of the biomass production using photobioreactors, either closed or open, was also investigated to increase the production of useful compounds. The richness of nutrients contained in the genus Arthrospira can be used for promising applications in the biomedical domain. Ingredients such as the calcium spirulan, immulina, C-phycocyanin, and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) show a strong biological activity. Recently, its use in the fight against cancer cells was documented in many publications. The health-promoting action of “Spirulina” has been demonstrated in the case of cardiovascular diseases and age-related conditions. Some compounds also have potent immunomodulatory properties, promoting the growth of beneficial gut microflora, acting as antimicrobial and antiviral. Products derived from Arthrospira were shown to successfully replace biomaterial scaffolds in regenerative medicine. Supplementation with the cyanobacterium also improves the health of livestock and quality of the products of animal origin. They were also used in cosmetic preparations.
Highlights
Arthrospira is an extremophilic pioneer organism with optimal growth temperatures around 35◦C
Inhabitants of Europe came into contact with Arthrospira during the colonization of America in the sixteenth century, Arthrospira Actual State of Knowledge the first references made at that time (Ciferri, 1983)
Recent progress in genomics and molecular biology allowed for a better understanding of extraordinary microorganisms—the edible cyanobacteria from the Arthrospira genus
Summary
Arthrospira is an extremophilic pioneer organism with optimal growth temperatures around 35◦C. A. platensis NIES-39 genome possesses seven genes encoding putative Na+/H+ antiporters, as well as two sets of genes for CO2 uptake (NDH-1) (Furrer et al, 2007; Fujisawa et al, 2010) Another strategy for the tolerance to high salinity, in addition to ion transport, is the accumulation of compatible solutes in cyanobacterial cells. PCC8005 genomes revealed the presence of hydrogenase genes (hox and hyp loci) This suggests that Arthrospira is a potential organism for clean energy production (Fujisawa et al, 2010; Janssen et al, 2010). Genome analyses of A. platensis C1 and A. platensis NIES-39 revealed the absence of genes responsible for the biosynthesis of toxins: non-ribosomal peptide toxins, polyketide toxins, ureaderived toxin and others, what makes the Arthrospira genus safe for biomass and food production. Group of Senachak et al (2015) developed an online platform, SpirPro, with integrated proteome and PPI database of A. platensis C1, publicly available on the web
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