Abstract
Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) is considered a source of natural molecules with nutritional and health benefits. As the different storage forms can affect the quantity and quality of bioactive ingredients, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of freezing, oven-drying and freeze-drying on chemical composition of spirulina biomass. Total proteins, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidants, were analyzed and compared to respective quantities in fresh biomass. The frozen sample exhibited the highest content of phycocyanin-C, phenols, and ascorbic acid, also respect to the fresh biomass. The highest total flavonoid amount was in the freeze-dried biomass. HPLC-DAD analysis of phenolic acids revealed the presence of the isoflavone genistein, known for its therapeutic role, in all the spirulina samples. The phosphomolybdenum method (TAC) and DPPH scavenging activity were applied to determine the antioxidant activity of different samples. The highest DPPH scavenging activity was detected in fresh and freeze-dried biomass and it was positively related to carotenoid content. A positive correlation indicated that carotenoids, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and all phenolic compounds were the major contributors to the TAC activity in spirulina biomass. The results highlighted a different functional value of spirulina biomass, depending on the processing methods used for its storage.
Highlights
Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis is a species of filamentous cyanobacteria that is included among the microalgae, a photosynthetic group consisting of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms.Spirulina has been used since ancient times both as a source food, for its protein and vitamin (4%, w/w) content, and as an important source of valuable natural biologically active molecules, such as essential amino acids, minerals, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants [1]
A positive correlation indicated that carotenoids, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and all phenolic compounds were the major contributors to the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) activity in spirulina biomass
The results highlighted a different functional value of spirulina biomass, depending on the processing methods used for its storage
Summary
Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis is a species of filamentous cyanobacteria that is included among the microalgae, a photosynthetic group consisting of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms.Spirulina has been used since ancient times both as a source food, for its protein (up to 70%, w/w) and vitamin (4%, w/w) content, and as an important source of valuable natural biologically active molecules, such as essential amino acids, minerals, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants [1]. If chlorophyll and carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments present in all photosynthetic organisms, the phycocyanins are cyanobacteria pigments, involved in photosynthesis. They function by absorbing light in regions of low chlorophyll absorption and increasing exciton transfer [4]. The amounts of total carotenoids, chlorophylls-derived and phenolic compounds were positively related to the concentration of nitrogen in growth media [10,11]. These microalgae can tolerate extreme pH levels, excessive light, high heavy
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