Chlorella Supplementation Research Articles

The effect of Chlorella supplementation in pregnant women with low-grade inflammation.

Pregnancy dramatically changes maternal metabolism and the microbiome. Low-grade inflammation can cause maternal complications and fetal abnormalities. The objective of this open-label, randomized, controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of orally administered Chlorella, a green alga that is commercially available as a dietary supplement with rich nutrients and dietary fiber for pregnant women with low-grade inflammation. Patients with C-reactive protein levels >0.05 mg/dL (16 weeks gestation, n = 22) were enrolled and randomly allocated to the Chlorella group (n = 10) or control group (n = 12). We conducted blood biochemical tests at 25, 30, and 35 weeks gestation and evaluated the evacuation status (symptoms depending on the Rome IV C2 criteria and laxative usage), side effects, and complications throughout the investigation. We also monitored the status of the offspring. The Chlorella group (n = 0) showed a significantly lower rate of constipation than the control group (n = 8). This study demonstrated the beneficial effects and safety of Chlorella supplementation in pregnant women, which prevented constipation and unnecessary laxative administration.

Assessing the impact of chlorella phenolic-rich extract on gastrointestinal health and function

Chlorella phenolic-rich extract has been studied due to its potential therapeutic effects on the gastrointestinal tract. In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that consumption of Chlorella phenolic-rich extract can modulate gut microbiota, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Several studies have shown that Chlorella supplementation may improve symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as reducing liver enzyme levels in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and H. pylori infection rates in children. However, further research should be conducted to fully understand the mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic benefits of Chlorella phenolic-rich extract in the gastrointestinal tract. Patients should consult with experts before taking Chlorella, so that they can be made aware of the potential side effects and any relevant mediation interactions. Overall, the use of Chlorella phenolic-rich extract is an innovative subject where there is a need for researchers to examine the potential treatment of various gastrointestinal conditions. Additional researchers are needed to fully evaluate its effectiveness and safety.

Protective Effects of Chlorella vulgaris Supplemented Diet on Antibacterial Activity and Immune Responses in Rohu Fingerlings, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), Subjected to Aeromonas hydrophila Infection.

The current study focuses on the antibacterial activity and potential efficiency of dietary supplements of Chlorella vulgaris on the immune response, improved growth performance, and disease resistance of Labeo rohita fingerlings against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Crude ethanolic extract of Chlorella and partially purified fractions of the extract were tested against two selected fish pathogens using the disc diffusion method. A total number of 360 rohu fingerlings (25 ± 2 g) were allocated to 4 treatments for 90 days. They were fed with an experimental diet containing Chlorella powder (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 g Kg-1 of a basic diet). To evaluate the non-specific immunity parameters including serum bactericidal, lysozyme activity, superoxide anion production, and biochemical and haematological indices, the fish were sampled at day 30, 60, 90, and after bacterial challenge. Mortalities of the fish were observed over 10 days post challenge with A. hydrophila. The protein and globulin levels of the treatment group were significantly higher after being treated with Chlorella than those of the control group. The total blood-cell count and haemoglobin content were also increased in the algal-diet-treated group. Among all the experimental diets, the 0.5 g Kg-1Chlorella fed group of fish showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum bactericidal activity and superoxide anion production when compared with the control group on day 90. Maximum lysozyme activity (750.00 ± 3.27) was noticed in the 1.0 g Kg-1 diet fed group on day 30. The Chlorella treated group exhibited a better growth performance of the fish. The maximum survivability (86.5%) was recorded in the 1.0 g Kg-1 diet fed group at the end of the 10-day fish exposure to A. hydrophila. These results suggest that the optimum dietary Chlorella supplementation could be 0.5-1.0 g Kg-1 of the diet, which stimulates immunity and protects L. rohita from A. hydrophila infection.

The Efficacy of Chlorella Supplementation on Multiple Indices of Cycling Performance

This study investigated the effects of chlorella supplementation on submaximal endurance, time trial performance, lactate threshold, and power indices during a repeated sprint performance test by fourteen male trained cyclists. Participants ingested 6 g/day of chlorella or placebo for 21-days in a double-blinded randomized counter-balanced cross-over design, with a fourteen-day washout period between trials. Each completed a 2-day testing period comprising a 1-hour submaximal endurance test at 55% external power output max and a 16.1 km time trial (Day-1), followed by a lactate threshold (Dmax) and repeated sprint performance tests (3 X 20 s sprints interspersed by 4-mins) (Day-2). Heart rate (b.min−1), RER, V̇O2 (ml·kg−1·min−1), lactate and glucose (mmol/L), time (secs), power output (W/kg), and hemoglobin (g/L) were compared across conditions. Following chlorella supplementation (chlorella vs. placebo for each measurement) average lactate and heart rate were significantly lower (p < 0.05) during submaximal endurance tests (1.68 ± 0.50 mmol/L vs. 1.91 ± 0.65 mmol/L & 138 ± 11b.min−1 vs. 144 ± 10b.min−1), average power and peak power (W/kg) were significantly higher during repeated sprint bouts (9.5 ± 0.7 W/kg vs. 9.0 ± 0.7 W/kg & 12.0 ± 1.2 W/kg vs. 11.4 ± 1.4 W/kg), hemoglobin significantly increased (149.1 ± 10.3 g/L) in comparison to placebo (143.4 ± 8.7 g/L) (p = 0.05). No differences existed between conditions for all oxygen consumption values, 16.1 km time trial measures and lactate threshold tests (p > 0.05). In conclusion, chlorella may pose as an additional supplement for cyclists to consider, particularly for those cyclists who want to improve their sprinting.

Effect of short-term nutritional supplementation of green microalgae on some reproductive indicators of Anglo-Nubian crossbred goats

Background and Aim: Despite the wide spectrum of uses, one of the chief drawbacks to expanding microalgae as a food supplement in livestock is the lack of a regimen protocol with established dosage and time length of supplementation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term supplementation with increasing doses of microalgae on ovarian response in goats reared in northeast Brazil. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight goats had their follicular waves synchronized using three injections of a prostaglandin analog at 7-day intervals. Goats were allocated to groups that received daily oral Chlorella supplementation for 7 days, respectively: 5 g, GMA5 group (n = 7), 10 g (GMA10; n = 7), and 20 g (GMA20; n = 7). The control group (GMA 0; n = 7) received a drench of water. Results: The groups showed a quadratic increase (p = 0.0156) in kidney fat thickness but there was a significant reduction in dry matter intake in the GMA20 group. The GMA20 group showed higher glucose levels and glutathione peroxidase (p &lt; 0.05). There was a decrease in plasma cholesterol (p &lt; 0.05) in the 10 and 20 g treatments. The number of total follicles increased quadratically. Follicles &lt;3 mm increased linearly (p = 0.0113) for microalgal supply. The GMA10 and GMA20 groups had the highest values (p &lt; 0.05) among the treatments. After inducing ovulation, there was a significant increase in follicles &gt;3 mm in the GMA10 group, which also showed a greater (p &lt; 0.05) area of intraovarian blood perfusion and pulsatility index of the ovarian artery. Conclusion: We conclude that for 7 days of supplementation, the administration of 10 g of microalgae appears to be the most efficient dosage for stimulating the ovarian response in tropical goats. Keywords: Doppler, follicles, goat, microalga, ovarian blood flow, ovarian response.

Effect of short-term nutritional supplementation of green microalgae on some reproductive indicators of Anglo-Nubian crossbred goats.

Despite the wide spectrum of uses, one of the chief drawbacks to expanding microalgae as a food supplement in livestock is the lack of a regimen protocol with established dosage and time length of supplementation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term supplementation with increasing doses of microalgae on ovarian response in goats reared in northeast Brazil. Twenty-eight goats had their follicular waves synchronized using three injections of a prostaglandin analog at 7-day intervals. Goats were allocated to groups that received daily oral Chlorella supplementation for 7 days, respectively: 5 g, GMA5 group (n = 7), 10 g (GMA10; n = 7), and 20 g (GMA20; n = 7). The control group (GMA 0; n = 7) received a drench of water. The groups showed a quadratic increase (p = 0.0156) in kidney fat thickness but there was a significant reduction in dry matter intake in the GMA20 group. The GMA20 group showed higher glucose levels and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05). There was a decrease in plasma cholesterol (p < 0.05) in the 10 and 20 g treatments. The number of total follicles increased quadratically. Follicles <3 mm increased linearly (p = 0.0113) for microalgal supply. The GMA10 and GMA20 groups had the highest values (p < 0.05) among the treatments. After inducing ovulation, there was a significant increase in follicles >3 mm in the GMA10 group, which also showed a greater (p < 0.05) area of intraovarian blood perfusion and pulsatility index of the ovarian artery. We conclude that for 7 days of supplementation, the administration of 10 g of microalgae appears to be the most efficient dosage for stimulating the ovarian response in tropical goats.

Chlorella-supplemented diet improves the health of honey bee (Apis mellifera)

Nutritional stress is one of the major factors affecting the health of honey bees. Supplementing the pollen patty with microalgae enhances the protein content of the patty and therefore is supposed to improve bee’s health. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of Chlorella as a dietary supplement on the health and physiology of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). We formulated the honey bee feed by supplementing Chlorella sorokiniana, obtained commercially, with commercially available rapeseed pollen patty in different amounts—0.5, 2, 5, and 10%, and the treatment groups were named P0.5, P2, P5, and P10, respectively. Pollen patty was set as a positive control and only 50% sucrose solution (no protein) was set as a negative control. Diets were supplied ad libitum to newly emerged workers in cages; food consumption patterns; longevity; and physiology including the development of the brain in terms of protein (i.e., total amino acids), thorax muscle, fat body mass, and glands (hypopharyngeal and venom); and gene expression of nutrition-related gene vitellogenin (Vg) of honey bee at different points of time of their age were observed. The addition of Chlorella significantly increased the food consumption pattern, longevity, gland development, muscle formation, and Vg gene expression significantly in comparison to only a pollen or sugar diet. However, the response varied depending on the level of Chlorella supplementation. As depicted in most of the cases, P2, that is, the pollen diet with 2% of Chlorella supplement exhibited the best outcome in terms of all the tested parameters. Therefore, based on the results obtained in the present study, we concluded that 2% Chlorella supplementation to pollen patty could enhance the health of honey bees, which in turn improves their performance.

Dietary chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris) supplementation effectively improves body color, alleviates muscle inflammation and inhibits apoptosis in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Muscle quality, antioxidant status, and inflammatory and apoptotic molecule expression were investigated in juvenile largemouth bass fed five levels of Chlorella for 60 days. The results showed that muscle quality can be improved by increasing the muscle crude protein content, muscle and skin brightness value (L*), redness value (a*) and yellowness value (b*) in Chlorella-supplemented diets without affecting the growth and muscle fiber development of fish. Chlorella supplementation did not cause oxidative stress in muscle, but optimal Chlorella administration alleviated the muscle inflammatory response by downregulating the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-mediated proinflammatory factors such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 8 (IL-8). Moreover, anti-apoptotic effects were induced by upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes, such as b cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (mcl-1), and downregulation of pro-apoptotic genes, including bcl2-associated x (bax) and caspase3. In conclusion, Chlorella improved muscle quality, alleviated muscle inflammation and resisted muscle apoptosis.

Algae Supplementation for Exercise Performance: Current Perspectives and Future Directions for Spirulina and Chlorella.

Nutritional clinical trials have reported algae such as spirulina and chlorella to have the capability to improve cardiovascular risk factors, anemia, immune function, and arterial stiffness. With positive results being reported in clinical trials, researchers are investigating the potential for algae as an ergogenic aid for athletes. Initial studies found spirulina and chlorella supplementation to increase peak oxygen uptake and time to exhaustion, with the mechanistic focus on the antioxidant capabilities of both algae. However, a number of oxidative stress biomarkers reported in these studies are now considered to lack robustness and have consequently provided equivocal results. Considering the nutrient complexity and density of these commonly found edible algae, there is a need for research to widen the scope of investigation. Most recently algae supplementation has demonstrated ergogenic potential during submaximal and repeated sprint cycling, yet a confirmed primary mechanism behind these improvements is still unclear. In this paper we discuss current algae supplementation studies and purported effects on performance, critically examine the antioxidant and ergogenic differing perspectives, and outline future directions.

Attenuating Effect of Chlorella Extract on NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species.

The NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been linked to the pathogenesis of a wide variety of human diseases. Although many drugs and inhibitors have been developed to treat NLRP3-associated diseases, only limited clinical data support their efficacy and safety. Chlorella, a unicellular green alga that is widely and safely used as a food supplement, contains various antioxidants. In this study, we obtained a fat-soluble extract from Chlorella (CE) and demonstrated that it reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation by inhibiting mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and caspase-1 activation. In addition, CE supplementation attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin 1β transcription through activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α in vitro and in vivo. As Chlorella is a safe and useful food supplement, it may be a practical pharmacological approach for treating NLRP3-driven diseases.

The Nutritional Efficacy of Chlorella Supplementation Depends on the Individual Gut Environment: A Randomised Control Study.

Recent studies have accumulated evidence that the intestinal environment is strongly correlated with host diet, which influences host health. A number of dietary products whose mechanisms of influence operate via the gut microbiota have been revealed, but they are still limited. Here, we investigated the dietary influence of Chlorella, a green alga commercially available as a dietary supplement. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial including 40 Japanese participants with constipation was performed. In this study, the primary outcome and secondary outcome were set as defecation frequency and blood folate level, respectively. In both outcomes, no significant differences were detected compared to the control intake. Therefore, we analysed the gut microbiome, gut metabolome, and blood parameters in an integrated manner as an exploratory analysis. We revealed that the consumption of Chlorella increased the level of several dicarboxylic acids in faeces. Furthermore, the analysis showed that individuals with low concentrations of faecal propionate showed an increase in propionate concentration upon Chlorella intake. In addition, increasing blood folate levels were negatively correlated with defecation frequency at baseline. Our study suggested that the effect of Chlorella consumption varies among individuals depending on their intestinal environment, which illustrates the importance of stratified dietary management based on the intestinal environment in individuals.

Chlorella vulgaris Supplementation as Mineral Source of Zinc and Selenium to Improve the Quality of Goat Milk as Health Drink in COVID-19 Pandemy

Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris contains micronutrients such as mineral zinc and selenium having role to produce antibody and improve body immunity. However, the impact of Chlorella vulgaris supplementation to goat milks’s chemical compositions has not being well documented. This research’s objective is to identify Chlorella vulgaris suppmentation as zinc and selenium source to improve goat milk’s quality as health drink in COVID-19 pandemy. Fifteen Etawah cross breed or Peranakan Etawa (PE) goats groupped into 5 treatments dan 3 repetitions. The goats were fed with grass, tofu waste and tempe waste. Chlorella supplement is fed to treated goat feed every day with level 0g (P0 = control), 2, 5g (P1), 5g (P2), 7, 5g (P3), and 10g (P4). The research’s result shows that zinc content in goat milk increase 2, 12 ppm or 24, 67%, while selenium increase 0, 08 mcg or 5, 5% after getting supplementation of Chlorella 10g/goat/day (P4). The provision of Chlorella also increase as solids total, protein and milk fat. Milk production increased by 28, 36% with Chlorella vulgaris supplements (P4). Based on the results of this study it can be stated that Chlorella vulgaris supplementation in goat PE feed can be used as a source of natural zinc and selenium minerals to improve the quality of goat milk as a health drink to increase body immunity, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The effects of Chlorella supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profile and anthropometric measures on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is a chronic disease and the prevalence of it is rapidly increasing. Recently, the use of natural products in chronic diseases such as diabetes has gained more attention. Chlorella, a single-celled green alga, is one of them. There have been some studies on the effects of chlorella supplementation in chronic diseases such as NAFLD, prediabetes, and diabetic mice, but none of them examined the effects of chlorella in patients with T2DM. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of chlorella supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profile, and anthropometric indices in type 2 diabetic patients. This study is a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. 84 patients with T2DM assigned into two groups, receiving 1500mg/day C. vulgaris or placebo for 8weeks. Anthropometric information, blood pressure, 24-h food intake recall, and blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the study to determine the changes of FBS, HbA1c, insulin concentration, insulin resistance, and lipid profile. None of the variables investigated in this study showed a significant change after 8weeks of intervention with C. vulgaris. According to the findings of this study, supplementation with C. vulgaris with a dosage of 1500mg/day for 8weeks, does not improve the anthropometric measurements, glycemic status, and lipid profile as well. Thus, it cannot be considered as a complementary therapeutic approach to common medications at this dosage and duration. However, future studies with a higher dosage of C. vulgaris and more prolonged than 8weeks are needed to be done.

Potential of Chlorella as a Dietary Supplement to Promote Human Health.

Chlorella is a green unicellular alga that is commercially produced and distributed worldwide as a dietary supplement. Chlorella products contain numerous nutrients and vitamins, including D and B12, that are absent in plant-derived food sources. Chlorella contains larger amounts of folate and iron than other plant-derived foods. Chlorella supplementation to mammals, including humans, has been reported to exhibit various pharmacological activities, including immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antihyperlipidemic activities. Meta-analysis on the effects of Chlorella supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors have suggested that it improves total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels but not triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These beneficial effects of Chlorella might be due to synergism between multiple nutrient and antioxidant compounds. However, information regarding the bioactive compounds in Chlorella is limited.

Application of protein phosphatase 1 inhibition assay and reversed phase liquid chromatography for the detection of microcystins in algal dietary supplements

Protein phosphatase 1 inhibition assay and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography were adjusted for the detection of microcystins in Chlorella and Spirulina dietary supplements. Various sample preparation procedures for the enzyme and chemical assays were tested by the toxin-spiked samples to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of these methods. A silica gel solid phase extraction coupled with a deactivated elution had remarkably reduced the matrix interference from sample extracts and improved the detection of microcystins in both assays. High performance liquid chromatography could give the composition of different microcystins in the sample if the resolution of separation and toxin standards were available. On the contrary, protein phosphatase 1 inhibition assay gave an accumulated inhibition activity of the sample that could be converted to MCYST-LR equivalent according to the IC50 of this standard. A good sensitivity of 50 ppb of microcystin in dried algal samples, was reached using the methods established in this research. Both enzyme and chemical assays were applied for the detection of possible microcystin contamination in the commercial products of algal dietary supplement. It was found that all nine samples of algal product examined in this study were free from microcystins.

Effects of Orally Chlorella vulgaris Algae Additive on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Lactating Friesian Cows

Fifteen multiparous Friesian cows with average live body weight (LBW) of 500±4.35 kg and 2-4 lactations were used after parturition and continues until 120 days of lactation and divided into three similar groups. Cows were fed a basal ration contained (DM basis) 40% concentrate feed mixture , 35% corn silage and 25% rice straw without any supplement in R1 (control) or orally supplemented with Chlorella algae and their media at the levels of 2 ml or 4 ml per kg LBW to instead of 1 and 2 liter/head/day for R2 and R3, respectively. Results showed that nutrients digestibility and feeding values improved significantly (P<0.05) with increasing the level of supplementation. Addition of C. vulgaris increased (P< 0.05) feed intake, the concentrations of total protein and globulin, AST to ALT ratio in serum, actual milk, 4% fat corrected milk yield, milk contents, also TVFA’s compared with the control. However, the concentration of NH3-N and Live enzymes activity decreased. Whereas, ruminal pH value and serum albumin and creatinine concentrations were nearly similar for the different groups. Chlorella supplementation had a significant improvements in feed conversion, economic efficiency and post-partum reproductive traits compared to control group. In conclusion, cows supplemented with Chlorella and their media at the level of 4 ml/kg LBW showed the best results concerning productive and reproductive traits and economic efficiency.

Polymethoxy-1-Alkenes Screening of Chlorella and Spirulina Food Supplements Coupled with In Vivo Toxicity Studies.

Selected species of cyanobacteria and green algae have been reported to produce lipophilic polymethoxy-1-alkenes (PMAs) which were shown to exhibit in vivo teratogenicity. Considering that information on PMAs in Arthospira sp. (known commercially as Spirulina) and Chlorella sp. cultivated for food supplement production was essentially lacking, the present study screened Chlorella (n = 10) and Spirulina (n = 13) food supplements registered in the European Union. Mass spectrometry analysis of column fractionated extracts was performed. None of the four variants previously reported in some cyanobacteria and green algae, nor any potentially related structures were detected in the studied samples. Since the isolated lipophilic fractions contained various compounds, they were further screened for in vivo teratogenicity in Danio rerio embryo, and for the potential to induce oxidative stress and genotoxicity in the liver and neurotoxicity in the brain of adult zebrafish. None of the tested food supplements had detectable levels of PMAs or any potentially related structures. No teratogenicity was revealed except for spinal curvature induced by fractions obtained from two Chlorella products. Selected fractions revealed cytotoxicity as indicated by an increased level of reactive oxygen species, catalase activity, lipid peroxidation and increased frequency of DNA strand breaks in hepatic tissue. The majority (60%) of Chlorella fractions induced an increase in cholinesterase activity in zebrafish brain homogenate while exposure to 61.5% of Spirulina fractions was associated with its decrease. The present study confirms that Chlorella and Spirulina food supplements are free of teratogenic PMAs, although the observed in vivo toxicities raise questions regarding the quality of selected products.

EFFECT OF CHLORELLA VULGARIS ALGAE SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF SUCKLING FRIESIAN CALVES

Twenty newly born male and female Friesian calves with an average live body weight (LBW) of 30.40±0.36 kg were divided into five similar groups (2 male + 2 female in each group) and continued in a feeding trial until weaning to study the effect of supplementing the algae on suckling calves growth performance. Diet of cows and their suckling calves in G1 did not supplemented with algae and served as a control diet. Whereas, cows and their suckling calves were supplemented with algae and their media at levels of 2 ml (G2) and 4 ml (G3) / kg LBW, as low and high levels, respectively. While, cows in G4 and G5 were unsupplemented with algae, but their suckling calves were supplemented with Chlorella vulgaris algae and their media at the same above levels. Results showed that groups supplemented with high level of algae (G3 and G5) were recorded significantly (P<0.05) the highest digestibility of all nutrients and feeding values followed by groups supplemented with low level of algae (G2 and G4), while control group (G1) had the lowest values. The DMI were the same for different groups, while the intake of TDN and DCP were significantly (P<0.05) higher for G3 and G5 compared to those of control one (G1), but the low levels of algae rations (G2 and G4) were insignificant higher than those of control ration as well. Mostly, blood serum measurements (total protein, globulin and albumin) in addition of creatinine and liver enzymes activity (AST and ALT) were markedly improved versus to those of control group (G1). Moreover, the concentrations of immunoglobulin fractions (IgA, IgM and IgG) were increased significantly (P<0.05) with chlorella supplementation and increased with increasing the level of chlorella supplement. Weaning weight and average daily gain of suckling calves increased significantly (P<0.05) with chlorella algae supplementation as well as with increasing supplementation level. Chlorella supplementation improved significantly (P<0.05) feed conversion, being decreased the amounts of DM, TDN and DCP required per one kg live weight gain. Also, chlorella supplementation improved economic efficiency, which decreased feed cost per one kg live weight gain and increased the total and net revenue of live weight gain and economic efficiency.

Essential and toxic elements in commercial microalgal food supplements

Arthrospira spp. (known commercially as Spirulina) and Chlorella spp., valued for their evidence-based nutritional and bioactive properties, are cultivated for the purpose of production of food supplements for worldwide distribution. However, the quality and safety of the final product depends on culturing and manufacturing conditions. The present study investigated the content of toxic elements (As species, Al, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pt, Pb, Cr (VI), rare earth elements) and minerals (Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Mg, Mn, P, Zn) in Chlorella (n = 10) and Spirulina (n = 13) food supplements registered in the European Union. Considering the most common recommended daily dosage 3.0, supplementation with any of the studied product would contribute significantly to mineral intake, with the exception of Fe which was found at high but acceptable levels in both Spirulina and Chlorella formulas. The majority of products revealed agreement between factual mineral content and that declared on the label, the only exception being Cu content in Chlorella products found to be significantly higher (> 130%). All studied supplements were found to have Cd, Hg, and Ni levels much below safety limits, although selected ones were characterized by increased content of Al, Pb, and inorganic As. No hexavalent Cr was detected in the studied products. The study highlights that microalgal supplements can be safe for consumers if appropriate measures are taken to ensure consumer safety, although it underlines the continuous need to monitor these products in order to fully eliminate those of low quality.

Effect of chlorella supplementation on systematic symptoms and serum levels of prostaglandins, inflammatory and oxidative markers in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most commonly reported disorders for women that have unfavorable effects on patient's quality of life. Based on the evidences that suggest the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of chlorella, this double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of Chlorella supplementation on the severity of menstrual pain in a group of young women with primary dysmenorrhea. In this clinical trial, 44 girls with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group received 1500 mg/day of chlorella as 5 soft gel and the control group received placebo soft gels for eight weeks. Menstrual and food information were collected using a previously validated and published questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), ProstaglandinF2a (PGF2a), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed at baseline and end of week eight. In chlorella supplemented group the PGE2, PGF2a, hs-CRP and MDA decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The severity and duration of dysmenorrheal pain were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea (fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, lack of energy) decreased in the chlorella group (p < 0.05). The mean of menstrual characteristics, anthropometric indices and daily energy and macronutrient intake in both intervention and control groups were not changed significantly. This study showed that chlorella supplementation could decrease the severity of pain and systemic symptoms and improve serum levels of prostaglandins, inflammatory and oxidative markers in women with primary dysmenorrhea.