Blue-green Alga Spirulina Maxima Research Articles

Spirulina maxima extract prevents activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by inhibiting ERK signaling

The blue-green alga Spirulina maxima is a microscopic filamentous cyanobacterium. Spirulina was recently reported to elicit beneficial effects such as reducing cholesterol and inducing weight loss; however, its effects on inflammation are unknown. To determine the effect of S. maxima extract (SME) on innate immunity, we investigated the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which is a multiprotein scaffolding complex that plays important roles in innate immune responses to many pathogenic infections in macrophages. SME suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced upregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-1β, and IL-18 in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, SME attenuated LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and thus pro-IL-1β could not be cleaved to IL-1β by activated caspase-1, which is activated by the NLRP3 inflammasome in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, SME inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in RAW264.7 cells, and attenuated the generation of ERK1 induced-reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in decreased expression of NF-κB. These findings suggest that SME suppresses the effects of the NLRP3 inflammasome via regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In summary, we demonstrated that SME prevents activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by inhibiting ERK signaling.

Characterization of nutraceutical compounds in blue green alga Spirulina maxima

This work was conducted to evaluate the influence of culture conditions (nitrogen concentrations in growth medium) on characterization of some nutraceutical compounds in algal Spirulina maxima. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities as well as chemical composition of organic extracts obtained from different cultures were examined. The amounts of total carotenoids, chlorophylls-derived and phenolic compounds were associated inversely with concentration of nitrogen in growth media. The antibacterial results showed that all S. maxima extracts exhibited great potential antibacterial activities against six bacterial strains with inhibition zones ranged 7 - 18 mm and MICs values ranged 30 - 40 µg/mL. Also, allS. maxima extracts possessed potent antioxidant properties as comparable to commercial antioxidants. The chromatographic analyses of Spirulina organic extracts with TLC and HPLC showed that carotenoids, chlorophyll-derived and phenol compounds were presence as main constituents and their quantities was significantly changed dependant on culture conditions. Thus, it could be suggested that the Spirulina is useful bio-system for production bioactive compounds possess an antioxidants and antimicrobial principles and as natural pigments. Key words: Spirulina maxima, organic extract, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity.

Promotive effect of se on the growth and antioxidation of a blue-green algaSpirulina maxima

Cultures of a blue-green algaSpirulina maxima (Setch. et Gard.) Geitler with various concentrations of Se in Zarrouk's medium showed that not higher than 40 mg/L Se could promote its growth. The present experiments showed thatS. maxima grown under normal conditions, has an oxidant stress defence system for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) removal, which is the Halliwell-Asada pathway. When 4 to 20 mg/L Se was added to the algal medium, this pathway was replaced by a so-called Sestressed pathway containing GSH peroxidase (GSH-POD). As a result of the occurrence of both higher activity of GSH-POD and lower levels of hydroxyl radical (OH·), the Se-stressed pathway scavenged H2O2 so effectively that the growth ofS. maxima was promoted by 4 to 20 mg/L Se. While GSH-POD activity of the alga disappeared at 40 mg/L Se, the recovery of ascorbate peroxidase was observed. The lower levels of ascorbic acid and GSH made the Halliwell-Asada pathway for scavenging H2O2 less effective, while the highest activity of catalase might be responsible in part for the H2O2 removal, causing the level of OH· inS. maxima grown at 40 mg/L Se to be much higher than the OH· level in this alga grown at 4 to 20 mg/L Se, but lower than that in the control. The OH· level changes caused the growth ofS. maxima cultured at 40 mg/L Se to increase slightly to close to that of the control.

Pigmentation of Cultured Striped Jack Reared on Diets Supplemented with the Blue-Green Alga Spirulina maxima.

Pigmentation of cultured striped jack Caranx delicatissimus was attempted by feeding diets supplemented with a commercial spray-dried preparation of the blue-green alga Spirulina maxima which is abundant in zeaxanthin. The integumentary color of the fish reared on diets containing the alga at 5% or 10% became irridescent greenish gray at the back with a characteristic yellow band near the lateral line, whereas those reared on the control diet or frozen sardine exhibited dark gray. Analysis of the integuments revealed that contents of carotenoids were 0.28-1.50mg/100g at the dorsal part and 0.14-0.48mg/100g at the ventral one, being higher in the fish reared on the diets containing the alga. More than 95% of the carotenoids in the dorsal integuments were com-posed of three yellow ones, tunaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin, and all of them increased by sup-plementation of S. maxima.

Detailed study of anaerobic digestion of Spirulina maxima algal biomass

Biomass of the blue-green alga Spirulina maxima was converted to methane using continuous stirred tank digesters with an energy conversion efficiency of 59%. Digesters were operated using once-a-day feeding with a retention time (theta) between 5 and 40 days, volatile solid concentrations (S(to)) between 20 and 100 kg VS/m(3), and temperatures between 15 and 52 degrees C. The results indicated a maximum methane yield of 0.35 m(3) (STP)/kg VS added at theta 30 days and S(to) 20 kg VS/m(3). Under such conditions, the energy conversion of the algal biomass to methane was 59%. The maximum methane production rate of 0.80 m(3) (STP)/m(3) day was obtained with theta= 20 days and S = 100 kg VS/m(3). The mesophilic condition at 35 degrees C produced the maximum methane yield and production rate. The process was stable and characterized by a high production of volatile acids (up to 23, 200 mg/L), alkalinity (up to 20, 000 mg/L), and ammonia (up to 7000 mg/L), and the high protein content of the biomass produced a well buffered environment which reduced inhibitory effects. At higher loading rates, the inhibition of methanogenic bacteria was observed, but there was no clear-cut evidence that such a phenomenon was due to nonionized volatile acids or gaseous ammonia. The kinetic analysis using the model proposed by Chen and Hashimoto indicated that the minimum retention time was seven days. The optimum retention time increased gradually from 11 to 16 days with an increase in the initial volatile solid concentration. The kinetic constant K decreased with the improvement in the digester performance and increased in parallel with the ammonia concentration in the culture media.

Biogas production from anaerobic digestion of Spirulina maxima algal biomass

Biotechnology and BioengineeringVolume 24, Issue 8 p. 1919-1924 Communication to the Editor Biogas production from anaerobic digestion of Spirulina maxima algal biomass Réjean Samson, Réjean Samson Department of Chemical Engineering, Laval University, Sainte-Foy, Qué, Canada G1K 7P4Search for more papers by this authorAnh Leduy, Anh Leduy Department of Chemical Engineering, Laval University, Sainte-Foy, Qué, Canada G1K 7P4Search for more papers by this author Réjean Samson, Réjean Samson Department of Chemical Engineering, Laval University, Sainte-Foy, Qué, Canada G1K 7P4Search for more papers by this authorAnh Leduy, Anh Leduy Department of Chemical Engineering, Laval University, Sainte-Foy, Qué, Canada G1K 7P4Search for more papers by this author First published: August 1982 https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260240822Citations: 89AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume24, Issue8August 1982Pages 1919-1924 RelatedInformation

An improved cheap culture medium for the blue-green microalga Spirulina

The possibility of using crude seasalt, and saltpeter as the basis of a culture medium for the blue-green alga Spirulina maxima, was investigated. Saltpeter appears to be an excellent nitrogen and micronutrient-source and is very cheap. The effect of the nutrient level on algal growth, and nitrogen conversion efficiency, was studied. The results suggest the possibility of using this medium in a large-scale algal culture.

Antiferromagnetic exchange interaction in the two-iron-two-sulphur ferredoxin from the blue-green alga Spirulina maxima studied with a highly sensitive magnetic balance

1. 1. A highly sensitive magnetic balance of the Faraday type is described. 2. 2. The magnetic susceptibility of the oxidized and reduced forms of the two-iron-two-sulphur ferredoxin from the blue-green alga Spirulina maxima has been measured over a wide temperature range. 3. 3. The results can be interpreted within a simple model involving antiferromagnetically coupled iron atoms at the active site. The coupling, expressed as −J, is estimated to be 182 ± 20 cm −1 and 98 −10 +5 cm −1 for the oxidized and reduced forms, respectively.

Temperature dependence of the electronic spin-lattice relaxation time in a 2-iron-2-sulfur protein

The ferredoxins are characterized by a strong temperature dependence of the electronic spin-lattice relaxation time T 1. The measurement of this dependence above the liquid nitrogen temperature has been presented in earlier work [1] for the 2-iron-2-sulfur ferredoxin of the blue green alga Spirulina maxima. The different relaxation mechanisms which could be efficient in this range were briefly discussed. In the present paper, we extend the measurement of the temperature dependence of T 1 to the low temperature range 1.25 to 30 K. From 1.25 K to 13 K, T 1 is obtained by the saturating pulse method, whereas the continuous saturation method is used from 8 K to 30 K. The experimental conditions concerning these methods are discussed. The analysis of the temperature dependence curve over the whole range 1.25 K to 133 K shows clearly that different regions must be distinguished. For each region the possible relaxation processes and the corresponding vibrational modes are discussed.

Comparative immunochemistry of bacterial, algal and plant ferredoxins

1. 1.|Antibodies were produced in rabbits to the 4Fe-4S ferrodoxins from Bacillus stearothermophilus, the 2 [4Fe-4S] ferredoxin from Clostridium pasteurianum, and the 2Fe-2S ferredoxins from the blue-green alga Spirulina maxima, the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus, and the higher plant Beta vulgaris. The antibodies were tested for immunoprecipitation activity with seven bacterial, twelve blue-green algal, six eukaryotic algal and six higher plant ferredoxins. 2. 2.|Antibodies to the bacterial ferredoxins reacted to a significant extent only with their homologous proteins. On the other hand, antibodies to the plant and algal ferredoxins showed cross-reaction with other ferredoxins. There was a correlation between the degrees of immunoprecipitation and the similarity in amino acid sequences. These results suggest that the method can be used as a marker in taxonomic studies. 3. 3.|The interaction of the antibodies with the five native ferredoxins was compared with the reactions with their apoproteins. In each case the degree of interaction was different. This behaviour was interpreted as due to an influence of tertiary structure on the antibody-antigen interaction.

Enzymatic modification for improving nutritional qualities and acceptability of proteins extracted from photosynthetic microorganisms Spirulina maxima and Rhodopseudomonas capsulatus.

The present study attempts to improve the proteins from a blue-green alga Spirulina maxima and a non-sulfur purple bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulatus through their peptic hydrolysis followed by plastein synthesis with papain. The former enzymatic process was effective in removing some photosynthetic pigments and flavors originating in the raw materials. The latter process was successful in incorporating limited amounts of methionine, lysine, and tryptophan, and thus to synthesize plasteins whose essential amino acid patterns resemble the FAO/WHO suggested pattern (1973). These plasteins had no colors and no flavors.

A stable and easily extractable plant-type ferredoxin from the blue-green alga Spirulina maxima

The 2Fe + 2S plant-type ferredoxin from the blue-green alga Spirulina, maxima can be easily extracted in high yield −35 mg ferredoxin/100 g dried cells. The cells can be stored as a dried powder which is readily obtainable. The purified ferredoxin is very stable even aerobically at room temperature. It is much more stable than the five other plant-type ferredoxins with which it was compared. The biological activity of all ferredoxins was comparable.