Chlorella Tablets Research Articles

Characterization and Quantitation of Vitamin B12 Compounds in Various Chlorella Supplements.

Vitamin B12 was determined and characterized in 19 dried Chlorella health supplements. Vitamin contents of dried Chlorella cells varied from <0.1 μg to approximately 415 μg per 100 g of dry weight. Subsequent liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analyses showed the presence of inactive corrinoid compounds, a cobalt-free corrinoid, and 5-methoxybenzimidazolyl cyanocobamide (factor IIIm) in four and three high vitamin B12-containing Chlorella tablets, respectively. In four Chlorella tablet types with high and moderate vitamin B12 contents, the coenzyme forms of vitamin B12 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (approximately 32%) and methylcobalamin (approximately 8%) were considerably present, whereas the unnaturally occurring corrinoid cyanocobalamin was present at the lowest concentrations. The species Chlorella sorokiniana (formerly Chlorella pyrenoidosa) is commonly used in dietary supplements and did not show an absolute requirement of vitamin B12 for growth despite vitamin B12 uptake from the medium being observed. In further experiments, vitamin B12-dependent methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and methionine synthase activities were detected in cell homogenates. In particular, methionine synthase activity was significantly increased following the addition of vitamin B12 to the medium. These results suggest that vitamin B12 contents of Chlorella tablets reflect the presence of vitamin B12-generating organic ingredients in the medium or the concomitant growth of vitamin B12-synthesizing bacteria under open culture conditions.

Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation increases aerobic endurance capacity in young individuals.

Chlorella, a unicellular green alga, contains a variety of nutrients including amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. A previous animal study found that maximal swimming time in mice increased after 14 days on a diet including Chlorella powder compared to no change in swimming performance on a normal diet. However, it is currently unknown whether Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation increases aerobic endurance capacity in humans. We investigated the effects of Chlorella-derived supplementation on peak oxygen uptake during incremental maximal cycling in young individuals using a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study design. Seven men and three women (mean age, 21.3 year) were allocated to placebo or Chlorella tablets (15 tablets × twice per day) for 4 weeks, with at least a 6-week washout period between trials, in a randomized order. Peak oxygen uptake significantly increased after Chlorella supplementation (before vs after, 37.9 ± 1.9 vs 41.4 ± 1.9 ml/kg/min, p = 0.003), but not with placebo (39.4 ± 2.2 vs 40.1 ± 2.1 ml/kg/min, p = 0.38). The change in peak oxygen uptake over the 4-week trial was significantly greater in the Chlorella trial than in the placebo trial (3.5 ± 0.9 vs 0.7 ± 0.8 ml/kg/min, p = 0.03). These results suggest that Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation increases aerobic endurance capacity in young individuals.

Multicomponent supplement containing Chlorella decreases arterial stiffness in healthy young men

Chlorella, a unicellular green alga, contains various antioxidants and other nutrients such as amino acids and fiber. Previous studies have reported that supplementation with multiple antioxidants reduces arterial stiffness, a well-established cardiovascular risk factor. We investigated the effects of Chlorella intake on arterial stiffness using a single-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study design. Fourteen young men took placebo or Chlorella tablets for four weeks, with a 12-week washout period between trials, in a randomized order. Before and after each trial, blood pressure, heart rate, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, an index of arterial stiffness, were measured. Treatment compliance was comparable between the two groups. There were no differences in blood pressure and heart rate before and after supplementation in both the placebo and Chlorella groups. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity decreased after Chlorella intake (before vs after intake; 11.6 ± 0.2 vs 11.1 ± 0.1 m/s, p = 0.01), but not after placebo intake (11.4 ± 0.2 vs 11.4 ± 0.2 m/s, p = 0.98). Multicomponent analysis of the Chlorella-containing tablet detected nutrients that can reduce arterial stiffness, such as antioxidant vitamins, arginine, potassium, calcium, and n-3 unsaturated fatty acids. These results suggest that intake of a Chlorella-containing multicomponent supplement can decrease arterial stiffness.

Chlorella intake attenuates reduced salivary SIgA secretion in kendotraining camp participants

BackgroundThe green alga Chlorella contains high levels of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. We previously reported that a chlorella-derived multicomponent supplement increased the secretion rate of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in humans. Here, we investigated whether intake of this chlorella-derived supplement attenuated the reduced salivary SIgA secretion rate during a kendo training camp.MethodsTen female kendo athletes participated in inter-university 6-day spring and 4-day summer camps. They were randomized into two groups; one took placebo tablets during the spring camp and chlorella tablets during the summer camp, while the other took chlorella tablets during the spring camp and placebo tablets during the summer camp. Subjects took these tablets starting 4 weeks before the camp until post-camp saliva sampling. Salivary SIgA concentrations were measured by ELISA.ResultsAll subjects participated in nearly all training programs, and body-mass changes and subjective physical well-being scores during the camps were comparable between the groups. However, salivary SIgA secretion rate changes were different between these groups. Salivary SIgA secretion rates decreased during the camp in the placebo group (before vs. second, middle, and final day of camp, and after the camp: 146 ± 89 vs. 87 ± 56, 70 ± 45, 94 ± 58, and 116 ± 71 μg/min), whereas no such decreases were observed in the chlorella group (121 ± 53 vs. 113 ± 68, 98 ± 69,115 ± 80, and 128 ± 59 μg/min).ConclusionOur results suggest that a use of a chlorella-derived dietary supplement attenuates reduced salivary SIgA secretion during a training camp for a competitive sport.

Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin a secretion increases after 4-weeks ingestion of chlorella-derived multicomponent supplement in humans: a randomized cross over study

BackgroundChlorella, a unicellular green alga that grows in fresh water, contains high levels of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers. Some studies have reported favorable immune function-related effects on biological secretions such as blood and breast milk in humans who have ingested a chlorella-derived multicomponent supplement. However, the effects of chlorella-derived supplement on mucosal immune functions remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether chlorella ingestion increases the salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) secretion in humans using a blind, randomized, crossover study design.MethodsFifteen men took 30 placebo and 30 chlorella tablets per day for 4 weeks separated by a 12-week washout period. Before and after each trial, saliva samples were collected from a sterile cotton ball that was chewed after overnight fasting. Salivary SIgA concentrations were measured using ELISA.ResultsCompliance rates for placebo and chlorella ingestions were 97.0 ± 1.0% and 95.3 ± 1.6%, respectively. No difference was observed in salivary SIgA concentrations before and after placebo ingestion (P = 0.38). However, salivary SIgA concentrations were significantly elevated after chlorella ingestion compared to baseline (P < 0.01). No trial × period interaction was identified for the saliva flow rates. Although the SIgA secretion rate was not affected by placebo ingestion (P = 0.36), it significantly increased after 4-week chlorella ingestion than before intake (P < 0.01).ConclusionsThese results suggest 4-week ingestion of a chlorella-derived multicomponent supplement increases salivary SIgA secretion and possibly improves mucosal immune function in humans.

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis following ingestion of Chlorella tablets

Here, we report on a boy with acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN), who developed it following ingestion of Chlorella tablets as a food supplement. He was incidentally detected to have glucosuria, proteinuria, and leukocyturia during school mass screening. He had had a history of ingestion of Chlorella tablets for 3 months. Laboratory studies showed anemia, increased levels of creatinine, decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), hypokalemia, hypo-uricemia, hypophosphatemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, proteinuria, leukocyturia, and glucosuria. ATIN was diagnosed by renal biopsy. The patient's renal function improved after initiation of corticosteroid therapy and discontinuation of Chlorella for 6 months. Chlorella may be a causative allergen inducing tubulointerstitial injury in kidney.

Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) Supplementation Decreases Dioxin and Increases Immunoglobulin A Concentrations in Breast Milk

In addition to meeting nutritional requirements, breast milk plays important roles in biodefense for nursing infants. Dioxins have been detected at high concentrations in breast milk, raising concerns about disorders in nursing infants caused by breast milk containing dioxins in Japan. We analyzed dioxin levels in breast milk and maternal blood samples from 35 pregnant women in Japan. We also measured immunoglobulin (Ig) A concentrations in breast milk and investigated correlations with dioxin concentrations. In addition, 18 of the 35 women took Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Chlorella) supplements during pregnancy, and the effects on dioxin and IgA concentrations in breast milk were investigated. Toxic equivalents were significantly lower in the breast milk of women taking Chlorella tablets than in the Control group (P = .003). These results suggest that Chlorella supplementation by the mother may reduce transfer of dioxins to the child through breast milk. No significant correlation was identified between dioxin and IgA concentrations in breast milk in the Control group. It is unlikely that normal levels of dioxin exposure via food have a remarkable influence on IgA in breast milk. IgA concentrations in breast milk in the Chlorella group were significantly higher than in the Control group (P = .03). Increasing IgA levels in breast milk is considered to be effective for reducing the risk of infection in nursing infants. The present results suggest that Chlorella supplementation not only reduces dioxin levels in breast milk, but may also have beneficial effects on nursing infants by increasing IgA levels in breast milk.

Nutritional supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for mild to moderate hypertension.

Pharmacological treatment of hypertension reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, randomized, controlled clinical trials and population studies have also shown that abnormally high blood pressure (BP) can be lowered with diet modification and exercise. The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether daily dietary supplementation with 10 g Chlorella tablets and 100 ml Chlorella extract for 2 months would reduce BP in subjects with a mean sitting diastolic BP (SiDBP) between 90 and 115 mm Hg. Thirty-three people were enrolled and underwent a 4-week washout period from all antihypertensive medications, during which they consumed placebo. At completion of this washout/placebo period, 24 subjects were considered evaluable (i.e., had a SiDBP between 90 and 115 mm Hg) and were continued in the study. After 1 or 2 months of dietary Chlorella supplementation, the average heart rate, sitting systolic BP, and SiDBP changed only slightly; after 2 months of Chlorella consumption, the group's mean SiDBP was 96.5 +/- 6.6. However, a heterogenous response pattern to Chlorella existed, with 25% (6/24) of the subjects achieving their BP goal (SiDBP less than 90 mm Hg). Furthermore, the BP of nonresponders did not increase significantly above washout values. Quality-of-life questionnaires indicated an overall perception that health had significantly improved in conjunction with Chlorella consumption. The results indicate that, for some subjects with mild to moderate hypertension, a daily dietary supplement of Chlorella reduced or kept stable their SiDBP.

Purification and characterization of a corrinoid compound from Chlorella tablets as an algal health food.

Vitamin B(12) content of an algal health food, Chlorella tablets (Chlorella sp.), was determined by both Lactobacillus leichmannii ATCC 7830 microbiological and intrinsic factor-chemiluminescence methods. The values of 200.9-211.6 microg/100 g dry weight determined by the chemiluminescence method were similar to the values (201.3-285.7 microg/100 g dry weight) determined by the microbiological method. A corrinoid compound was purified to homogeneity from the Chlorella tablets and characterized. The purified corrinoid compound was identified as vitamin B12, on the basis of silica gel 60 TLC, C18 reversed-phase HPLC, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy.

Characterization and bioavailability of vitamin B12-compounds from edible algae.

Substantial amounts of vitamin B12 were found in some edible algae (green and purple lavers) and algal health food (chlorella and spirulina tablets) using the Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis ATCC7830 microbiological assay method. Corrinoid-compounds were purified and characterized from these algae to clarify the chemical properties and bioavailability of the algal vitamin B12. True vitamin B12 is the predominate cobamide of green and purple lavers and chlorella tablets. Feeding the purple laver to vitamin B12-deficient rats significantly improved the vitamin B12 status. The results suggest that algal vitamin B12 is a bioavailable source for mammals. Pseudovitamin B12 (an inactive corrinoid) predominated in the spirulina tablets, which are not suitable for use as a vitamin B12 source, especially for vegetarians. algal health food, bioavailability, cobalamin, edible algae, vitamin B12

Occupational asthma in a pharmacist induced by chlorella, a unicellular algae preparation

A 44-year-old pharmacist had worked in her present pharmaceutical factory for 2 yr. For over a year and a half, she had been having frequent episodes of rhinitis, cough, phlegm, shortness of breath and wheezing, about once every 2 weeks. Her symptoms occurred both in the day and night, during sleep, and were more frequent during working days and better at weekends. She had no known past personal or family history of atopy or asthma, and had never smoked. She had no problem with asthma in her previous employments in several other pharmaceutical manufacturing firms which manufactured a similar broad range of common generic drugs as in the present company. She observed her asthma developed when she started working at her present place of employment, about a month after the company began production of chlorella tablets, and that her attacks appeared to occur on days when chlorella tablets were in production. Exposure to fine chlorella powder occurred from opening of packets, tipping, weighing and tableting, which was done for a few days once in several weeks. Histamine inhalation challenge test, carried out

Increase of Pheophorbide Content in Chlorella Tablets During Storage

The effects of temperature, humidity and light on pheophorbide (PB) content in chlorella tablets during storage were studied. Three kinds of chlorella tablets with different chlorophyllase activities were used. PB content increased 2-10 times during storage for 30 days at a relative humidity of 75% at 30°C. The rate of increase of PB was proportional to the chlorophyllase activity in the original chlorella tablet. The increase of PB depended upon the temperature and humidity; light had little effect.

Sep-Pak C&lt;SUB&gt;18&lt;/SUB&gt;を用いるクロレラ錠中のフェオホルバイドaとピロフェオホルバイドaの迅速定量及びクロロフィラーゼ活性の測定

By the use of Sep-Pak C18 cartridge, a simple and rapid cleanup method was established for the quantitative determination of pheophorbide a (PB-a) and pyropheophorbide a (PyPB-a) in chlorella tablets. PB-a and PyPB-a were extracted with methanol from chlorella tablets, then the extract was adjusted to methanol-1% acetic acid (7: 3, v/v) and centrifuged. The supernatant was cleaned up by the use of Sep-Pak C18 cartridge, eluted with methanol-0.025M ammonium acetate (88: 12, v/v) and applied to high performance liquid chromatography. They were separated on Radial PAK NOVA-PAK C18 column with the same solvent as a mobile phase. The average recoveries of PB-a and PyPB-a added to chlorella tablets were 88.9% and 96.3%, respectively.In order to estimate chlorophyllase activity in chlorella tablets, the proposed method was used to determine the amount of PB-a increased by incubation for 4h. As PB-a was separated from other chlorophyll degradative products derived during incubation, the proposed method was more specific and accurate than the official one (spectrophotometric determination).

Pheophorbide Contents in Chlorella Tablets and “Health Food”

Pheophorbide Contents in Chlorella Tablets and “Health Food”