Abstract
This study investigated the biochemical suitability of Australian native microalgal species Scenedesmus sp., Nannochloropsis sp., Dunaliella sp., and a chlorophytic polyculture as nutritional supplements for human health. The four microalgal cultures were harvested during exponential growth, lyophilized, and analysed for proximate composition (moisture, ash, lipid, carbohydrates, and protein), pigments, and amino acid and fatty acid profiles. The resulting nutritional value, based on biochemical composition, was compared to commercial Spirulina and Chlorella products. The Australian native microalgae exhibited similar, and in several cases superior, organic nutritional properties relative to the assessed commercial products, with biochemical profiles rich in high-quality protein, nutritious polyunsaturated fats (such as α-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid), and antioxidant pigments. These findings indicate that the microalgae assessed have great potential as multi-nutrient human health supplements.
Highlights
There is well-founded, enormous potential for a greater variety of microalgal species to be utilized in human nutrition
Individual nutrients have been highlighted as nutritious components in Nannochloropsis sp., Scenedesmus sp., and Dunaliella sp., and initial focused animal and human trials are promising, it is unclear whether these microalgae are suitable for human nutrition in a multi-nutrient capacity like commercially produced Spirulina and Chlorella
This study aimed to determine the biochemical suitability of Australian microalgae, Scenedesmus sp., Nannochloropsis sp., and Dunaliella sp., plus a unique chlorophytic polyculture (CPC) for human nutrition through examination of biochemical profiles and comparison to existing commercially available Chlorella and Spirulina products
Summary
There is well-founded, enormous potential for a greater variety of microalgal species to be utilized in human nutrition. Several of the most common microalgal pigments (chlorophyll, β-carotene, and lutein) are beneficial to human health, possessing cancer prevention activity and functioning as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories [2]. Nutritious polyunsaturated fatty acids proliferate in many algal species, providing essential fatty acids necessary for cardiovascular, ocular, and neurological health [3]. Despite this potential, few microalgal species are currently utilized in the human nutrition market. Sought nutraceuticals from these species include protein, vitamins, pigments chlorophyll and β-carotene, and minerals. On the other hand, is advertised to provide the Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), a water-soluble extract
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