Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine elemental constituent of microalgal biomass Spirulina platensis LEB-18 grown on the shores of Mangueira Lagoon, South of Brazil. The spread of inoculum was performed in standard Zarrouk medium. When the microalgae concentration reached 0.50 g L-1, the biomass was separated by filtration and dried in a tray dryer at 50°C for 5 h. The harvested biomass was then ground in a ball mill, sieved to achieve a particle size of 88 µm (~ 300 mg) in triplicate, digested with concentrated HNO3 and diluted with up to 5% HNO3 for subsequent quantification. Mineral content was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry with axial view and other nutrients by standard methods. Among the macro minerals, in μg g-1 ± standard deviation, calcium (15.108±529), sodium (14.6552±485) and potassium (14.036±109) were found in the largest amount. The micro mineral present in greater quantity, in μg g-1 ± standard deviation, was the iron (956±9) and nutrients present in the following order: protein (58.5%), ash (12.0%), carbohydrate (7.5%), lipid (7.0%) and crude fiber (0.95%). Results were compared with the values of minerals for human consumption recommended by the Food and Drug Administration and also with the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of minerals by Brazilian Legislation. The findings proved promising for the use of S. platensis strain LEB-18 as an alternative source of essential minerals and other nutrients for the human body. Key words: Cyanobacterium, chemical element, nutritional importance, optical emission spectrometry.
Highlights
The use of single-cell protein which refers to the dried cells of microorganisms like yeast, bacteria and microalgae has been present for thousands of years in the world population, mainly in the form of drugs
The cyanobacteria currently cultivated in large scale systems are economically viable sources of protein in food because they often meet the requirements of this nutrient in the diet and, through them you can get other human consumer products (Zepka et al, 2010)
This study aims to determine the content of some essential minerals (Ca, P, Mg, Na, P, S, Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn, Mb and Cu) and other nutritional components in S. platensis strain LEB-18, and contribute to its possible application in food in order to combat nutritional deficiencies
Summary
The use of single-cell protein which refers to the dried cells of microorganisms like yeast, bacteria and microalgae has been present for thousands of years in the world population, mainly in the form of drugs. The cyanobacteria currently cultivated in large scale systems are economically viable sources of protein in food because they often meet the requirements of this nutrient in the diet and, through them you can get other human consumer products (Zepka et al, 2010). Cyanobacteria as a source of single-cell protein have certain advantages over the use of other microorganisms because of its rapid growth and quantity and quality of protein. The genus Spirulina contains about 60 to 70% of proteins, nucleic acids and amino acids recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization. It contains beta-carotene, absorbable iron and other minerals, as well as high levels of vitamins, phenolic compounds, gamma-linolenic acid and other
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