Cyanobacterium Spirulina Platensis Research Articles

Biological Control for Solanum melongena L. in Sustainable Agriculture.

The environment and ecosystem were disrupted by the extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides which are harmful to humans and animals. Nature unfolds a biological response to overcome the different types of hazardous agrochemicals, in the form of microorganisms which have the efficiency to encourage plant growth without disturbing the environment. We conducted a biological approach to control phytopathogenic agents by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), capable of restraining the devastation by phytopathogen. Pseudomonads can cling to soil particles, motile, prototrophic, and antibiotic synthesis along with the production of hydrolytic enzymes. Pseudomonas fluorescens extracted from the soils of Kerala were subjected to the identification of genes that have the phytostumillatory effect. These bacteria were immobilized using sodium alginate beads and applied to the soil where Solanum melongena (L.) was planted and the growth was compared with plants treated with cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis and NPK. The plants treated with PGPR showed high potential in growth-promoting characters when compared to cyanobacteria and NPK. P. fluorescens is an intense bio-agent to use in the field of agriculture because of its multifaceted utility.

Synthesis of Donor Substituted Chlorophyll Derivatives for Applications in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

AbstractOrganic dyes based on chlorophyll derivatives were synthesized and investigated with respect to applications in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis cultivated on large scales in tropical areas around the Pacific Ocean is an attractive source for production and isolation of pure chlorophyll a. Direct transformation of chlorophyll a into very robust chlorin e6 trimethylester 3 affords an ideal platform for synthesis of dyes for artificial photosynthesis. A series of molecules 24–32 with donor‐π‐acceptor structures and functional groups for immobilization on TiO2 were achieved by subsequent synthetic modifications of 3. Photochemical, theoretical and electrochemical properties of dyes were investigated and their sensitized solar cells performances studied after immobilization on TiO2.

Cultivation of Microalgae Spirulina platensis Biomass Using Palm Oil Mill Effluent for Phycocyanin Productivity and Future Biomass Refinery Attributes

Palm oil mill effluent is a type of wastewater which contains a high concentration of organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and different supplement substances. These substances support and enhance the growth of microalgae. Cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis is a blue-green microalga with two phycobiliproteins as its primary constituents. Phycocyanin is a natural blue colourant used in biomedicines, cosmetics, diagnostics, treatments, and environmental protection. Chlorophyll pigment plays a significant role in photosynthesis where the photosynthetic process uses atmospheric carbon to produce starch and lipid which can eventually be converted into desirable products such as biodiesel. Therefore, in this study, Spirulina platensis was cultivated in different concentrations of diluted POME (10-50%, v / v ) at 26 ± 1 °C room temperature, 90 μmol photon m-2 s-1, and aerated for 24 h continuously. The growth of Spirulina platensis was monitored through optical density at 680 nm for 15 days. The highest biomass yield obtained in the control medium and 30% POME medium were 1.27 ± 0.02 and 1.16 ± 0.01 g/L, respectively. The highest phycocyanin yield obtained from the biomass harvested from 30% nutrient media was 175.12 ± 22.32 mg and followed by 163.55 ± 20.15 mg from control media with purified phycocyanin of 87.11 ± 5.20 mg and 85.31 ± 4.33 mg, respectively. The peak properties of phycocyanin such as the amide group at 1655.17 cm-1 (C=O stretching), FT-IR analysis revealed well-formed Spirulina platensis with all characteristic peaks and distinct fingerprints of phycocyanin. The ultrasound method produces the highest lipid yield ( 28.6 ± 0.7 %) which consists of stearic (38.45%), palmitoleic ( 25.72 ± 0.02 ), and palmitic ( 17.71 ± 0.04 ) fatty acid methyl esters. The FAME produced from the extracted lipid has the potential to be used in biodiesel applications. Since POME contains the essential nutrients which can support the growth of Spirulina platensis in the optimum environment for biomass and lipid productivity, it revealed the potential for biodiesel production.

High value pigment production and carbon sequestration through wastewater grown Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis: A green technology for wastewater utilization

This report describes a protocol for utilization of aquaculture wastewater for biomass production, high value pigment recovery and carbon sequestration through a cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis through a green process. The dry weight (2.76 ± 0.03 g/L) was almost comparable with the control showing a negligible decrease of 0.89%. During the 6 to 8 days of the culture duration, the biomass composition of amended aquaculture wastewater demonstrated a maximum cell productivity (0.0734 ± 0.0050 g/L/day), carbon sequestration (0.0314 ± 0.0021 g/L/day) and CO2 sequestration (0.1151 ± 0.0078 g/L/day), showing a substantial 20% improvement compared to the control. The yield of a pharmaceutically important pigment phycocyanin was 101.95 ± 1.49 mg/g DW in the wastewater grown cultures showing a negligible decrease (0.83%) compared to the synthetic medium grown cultures. The reduction in the cost of the synthetic medium through utilization of aquaculture wastewaters after certain amendments is a novel approach for an environmentally friendly and cost-effective production of S. platensis. The quality of biomass and phycocyanin in amended wastewater grown cultures was not altered. This report provides baseline data about aquaculture wastewater utilization for cyanobacterial biomass production, carbon sequestration and recovery of a valuable pigment phycocyanin through a simple and low-cost downstream process.

Detail Analysis for Energy Transfer and Pigment Assembling in C−Phycocyanin through Time−Resolved Spectroscopy and AlphaFold2

The time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of the C−phycocyanin (C−PC) complex from the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) hexamer with the sub-picosecond resolution was detected, and the energy transfer pathways and related transfer rates were identified through the multiexponential analysis based on Monte-Carlo method. With the purpose to construct the relationship between the functions and the structure in vivo, the three−dimension (3D) protein structure was predicted via AlphaFold2, and the arrangement of chromophores treated as the energy transfer nodes were obtained. The experiment results have been matched well with the structure prediction. This work suggests a new way to investigate structure prediction in vivo and the corresponding functions.

Downstream processing of biomass produced in aquaculture wastewater for valuable pigments from the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis: a green and sustainable approach

Downstream processing of biomass produced in aquaculture wastewater for valuable pigments from the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis: a green and sustainable approach

Problem of interdependence of algae Spirulina platensis and pH

Problem of interdependence of algae Spirulina platensis and pH. / N. Kuchava. / Nano Studies. – 2020. – # 20. – pp. 119-124. – geo. An attempt is made to determine the interdependence of cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis and pH. For this purpose, there are considered some cases, when during the first days of experiment the following chemical elements: Cu, Zn, Ni, Hg, Cd, and Ag are separately introduced into nutrient medium Zarrouk of the mentioned algae in different amounts and at different times. The results are obtained by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry and tabulated. Tab. 6, Ref. 8.

MoSBOTs: Magnetically Driven Biotemplated MoS2 -Based Microrobots for Biomedical Applications.

2D layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) nanomaterials are a promising platformfor biomedical applications, particularly due to its high biocompatibility characteristics, mechanical and electrical properties, and flexible functionalization. Additionally, the bandgap of MoS2 can be engineered to absorb light over a wide range of wavelengths, which can then be transformed into local heat for applications in photothermal tissue ablation and regeneration. However, limitations such as poor stability of aqueous dispersions and low accumulation in affected tissues impair the full realization of MoS2 for biomedical applications. To overcome such challenges, herein, multifunctional MoS2 -based magnetic helical microrobots (MoSBOTs) using cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis are proposed as biotemplate for therapeutic and biorecognition applications. The cytocompatible microrobots combine remote magnetic navigation with MoS2 photothermal activity under near-infrared irradiation. The resulting photoabsorbent features of the MoSBOTs are exploited for targeted photothermal ablation of cancer cells and on-the-fly biorecognition in minimally invasive oncotherapy applications. The proposed multi-therapeutic MoSBOTs hold considerable potential for a myriad of cancer treatment and diagnostic-related applications, circumventing current challenges of ablative procedures.

Ultrafast excited state dynamics in the monomeric and trimeric photosystem I core complex of Spirulina platensis probed by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy.

Photosystem I (PSI), a naturally occurring supercomplex composed of a core part and a light-harvesting antenna, plays an essential role in the photosynthetic electron transfer chain. Evolutionary adaptation dictates a large variability in the type, number, arrangement, and absorption of the Chlorophylls (Chls) responsible for the early steps of light-harvesting and charge separation. For example, the specific location of long-wavelength Chls (referred to as red forms) in the cyanobacterial core has been intensively investigated, but the assignment of the chromophores involved is still controversial. The most red-shifted Chl a form has been observed in the trimer of the PSI core of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis, with an absorption centered at ∼740nm. Here, we apply two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy to study photoexcitation dynamics in isolated trimers and monomers of the PSI core of S. platensis. By means of global analysis, we resolve and compare direct downhill and uphill excitation energy transfer (EET) processes between the bulk Chls and the red forms, observing significant differences between the monomer (lacking the most far red Chl form at 740nm) and the trimer, with the ultrafast EET component accelerated by five times, from 500 to 100fs, in the latter. Our findings highlight the complexity of EET dynamics occurring over a broad range of time constants and their sensitivity to energy distribution and arrangement of the cofactors involved. The comparison of monomeric and trimeric forms, differing both in the antenna dimension and in the extent of red forms, enables us to extract significant information regarding PSI functionality.

Lipid and phycocyanin extractions from Spirulina and economic assessment

Microalgae are a promising feedstock for several bioproducts due to their low carbon footprint in cultivation and high biomass productivity. However, downstream processes such as oil extraction usually require the use of solvents harmful to health. This work evaluated lipid extraction from cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis using green solvents: supercritical CO2 (scCO2), high-pressure (HP) ethanol, and scCO2 with ethanol as a co-solvent (60 °C, 400 bar); compared to conventional lab-scale extractions: Soxhlet, Bligh & Dyer (B&D), and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Subsequent phycocyanin extraction was considered to improve economic performance. Total extract yield using B&D showed the highest value (11.6%), followed by HP ethanol (11.4%); nevertheless, scCO2 resulted in better selectivity for fatty acid content (0.57 g/ g lipids). Integrating lipid and phycocyanin extraction to a Spirulina facility is unprofitable in the considered conditions. However, utilization of CO2 from an emitter facility could provide a profitable scenario.

Biotemplating of Metal–Organic Framework Nanocrystals for Applications in Small‐Scale Robotics

AbstractBiotemplating is a powerful approach for manufacturing small‐scale devices. Here, the assembly of metal–organic framework (MOF) nanocrystals onto biotemplated magnetic helical structures on the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis is reported. It is demonstrated that the authors’ approach is universal and can be used to equip biotemplated structures with different functional MOF systems. The successful assembly of MOF nanocrystals on magnetically coated helical biotemplates is achieved by decorating the magnetic surface with gelatin, a naturally occurring macromolecule with synthon moieties that allows anchoring of the MOF nanocrystals via electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, as gelatin is a thermally responsive material, it can serve to free the magnetic biotemplates from the MOF nanocrystal cargoes. As such, the systems can be used as highly integrated magnetically driven microrobots with multiple functionalities. To this end, the potential of these composite helical architectures is demonstrated as MOF‐based small‐scale robots with applications in biomedicine and environmental remediation.

C-Phycocyanin-derived Phycocyanobilin as a Potential Nutraceutical Approach for Major Neurodegenerative Disorders and COVID-19- induced Damage to the Nervous System.

The edible cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis and its chief biliprotein C-Phycocyanin have shown protective activity in animal models of diverse human health diseases, often reflecting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The beneficial effects of C-Phycocyanin seem likely to be primarily attributable to its covalently attached chromophore Phycocyanobilin (PCB). Within cells, biliverdin is generated from free heme and it is subsequently reduced to bilirubin. Although bilirubin can function as an oxidant scavenger, its potent antioxidant activity reflects its ability to inactivate some isoforms of NADPH oxidase. Free bilirubin can also function as an agonist for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR); this may explain its ability to promote protective Treg activity in cellular and rodent models of inflammatory disease. AhR agonists also promote transcription of the gene coding for Nrf-2, and hence can up-regulate phase 2 induction of antioxidant enzymes, such as HO-1. Hence, it is proposed that C-Phycocyanin/PCB chiefly exert their protective effects via inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, as well as by AhR agonism that both induces Treg activity and up-regulates phase 2 induction. This simple model may explain their potent antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, PCB might mimic biliverdin in activating anti-inflammatory signaling mediated by biliverdin reductase. This essay reviews recent research in which C-Phycocyanin and/or PCB, administered orally, parenterally, or intranasally, have achieved marked protective effects in rodent and cell culture models of Ischemic Stroke and Multiple Sclerosis, and suggests that these agents may likewise be protective for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and in COVID-19 and its neurological complications.

Exploratory analysis of Spirulina platensis LB 2340 growth in varied concentrations of anaerobically digested pig effluent (ADPE)

There is a significant interest in novel waste management solutions to treat wastewater from swine operations. Anaerobic digestion is a rising and prominent solution, but this technology still generates highly concentrated effluent that requires further remediation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of cultivating the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis in swine effluent for future applications in biological waste treatment and value-added fermentation. To accomplish this goal, growth of S. platensis was characterized in varying proportions of ideal, synthetic Zarrouk medium and anaerobically digested pig effluent (ADPE) to obtain growth rate models. Results yielded a positive correlation between S. platensis growth rate and Zarrouk medium proportion, with the highest growth rate in 100% Zarrouk media but comparable growth in the 50/50% Zarrouk/ADPE mixture. This study demonstrates the potential for S. platensis to further improve the treatment efficacy of anaerobic digestion systems, and the exploratory analysis also highlights that further testing is required to investigate possible carbon availability, chemical inhibition, and overall nutrient reduction in ADPE. This research contributes important data toward the feasibility of producing value-added cyanobacterial biomass while simultaneously consuming excess nutrients to aid in agricultural wastewater management efforts and generate cost-effective products in a more sustainable manner.

Modeling of phycocyanin production from Spirulina platensis using different light-emitting diodes

Phycocyanin is a high-value chromo-protein used in various industries. In this research, a simulation study of kinetics is carried out to identify different light spectra effects on microbial growth and phycocyanin production from the cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis. The results are compared with experimental data obtained from previous studies, and an acceptable accuracy is achieved in all the evaluated light spectra. Particular emphasis was placed on determining axial kinetic velocities simulated at different spectra regarding the latency, exponential and stationary microbial growth phases. According to the results obtained, cells grown in exponential phase lighted with red spectrum tend to resist the photo-limitation to a greater degree than cell exposure to white, green and yellow light. The latter is because phycocyanin allows a more excellent wavelength absorption from the red light. Contrarily, the light intensity for all spectra is reduced by around 80% at the inner bioreactor area regarding the intensity reached on the equipment surface during the stationary phase. Also, cell growth and phycocyanin production kinetic rates tend to be close to zero for all spectra, considering more than 50% of the inner bioreactor zone. This finding found in this research may be a key factor for the design of new photobioreactors so that these dark areas could be overcome by installing rotating internal lighting systems to guarantee the photosynthesis process of cyanobacteria in all regions of the bioreactor and thus avoid the phenomenon of photo-limitation due to low light intensities.

Immobilization of Phycocyanin in a Rice Hull Nanosilica/Calcium-Alginate Bead System for Cadmium Ion Remediation

Phycocyanin (PC), the major phycobiliprotein found in the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis, was explored as a biosorbent for cadmium removal in contaminated water. It was isolated from commercially available Spirulina tablets using 0.1 M phosphate buffer with 0.15 M NaCl (pH 7) and was purified using two-stage ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by gel filtration chromatography using Sephadex G-75. The water-soluble pigment protein thus obtained could not be directly used as a biosorbent and was subsequently immobilized on rice hull nanosilica using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and glutaraldehyde as linkers resulting in a blue-green powder composite material (SAGPC). Optimum immobilization of PC on rice hull nanosilica was achieved by using 5% v/v APTES, 1.5% v/v glutaraldehyde, and 6 mg/mL PC solution. The immobilized PC was then prepared in the form of calcium-alginate beads (SAGPCAlg beads) to allow easy separation from effluents. The Cd adsorption efficiency (99.80 ± 0.20 %) and adsorption capacity (19.72 ± 0.38 mg/g) of SAGPC-Alg beads were determined through batch sorption experiments at room temperature using the optimum working conditions at pH 7, 0.1 g wet beads, 0.5 ppm initial Cd concentration, and 60-min shaking time.

Comparative Analysis of Different Drying Techniques Based on the Qualitative Characteristics of Spirulina platensis Biomass

ABSTRACT Over the last years, the cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis (SP) has attracted special attention, as it possesses remarkable antioxidant activity and high amounts of bioactive compounds, such as phycocyanin, carotenoids and phenolics. Since Spirulina platensis biomass shows extremely high moisture content, dehydration is a crucial treatment step, which ensures the prolonged shelf life of the final product. However, drying affects drastically the qualitative characteristics of heat-sensitive foodstuffs with high nutritional value, such as SP. In this study, four different drying techniques, atmospheric drying (AD), freeze drying (FD), vacuum drying (VD) and accelerated solar drying (ASD), were examined and compared considering crucial parameters, i.e., moisture content reduction, change of structure, colour deterioration, pigment content and antioxidant activity. As shown from the obtained results, vacuum drying achieves faster moisture lowering and higher carotenoid content equal to 0.58 + 0.01 mg (g dry solids)−1. On the other hand, atmospheric drying is efficient in preserving phycocyanin since its content was found equal to 9.65 + 0.19%dry weight, but in general cannot be industrially applied due to the long dehydration time. Finally, accelerated solar dried biomass showed the highest antioxidant activity (31.28 ± 0.90% dry weight) mainly due to the degradation products after heating at high temperatures and stress conditions.

The Therapeutic Potential of Spirulina to Combat COVID 19 Infection

MANY countries and labs are currently looking for a COVID-19 vaccine but have yet to explore it. Many species of Spirulina contain significant active compounds such as sulfated polysaccharides, phenols, phycobiliproteins, and calcium spirulan with inhibition activity against replication of viruses, especially influenza A (H1N1), HCV , and HIV viral infection. As there is no vaccine was approved against COVID-19, the potential of using Spirulina as antivirus and an immune agent has been tested for many viruses, and this encourages using the Spirulina as a whole amount or its extract for immunization against COVID-19, the causative pathogen of Coronavirus disease. The present article discusses some of the important studies on the therapeutic antiviral activities of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis.

Effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis and Bacillus subtilis PB6 on growth performance, intestinal microbiota and morphology, and serum parameters in broiler chickens

Context The use of microalgae as prebiotics in poultry diets may improve production efficiency by modifying the gastrointestinal ecosystem. Prebiotic properties of the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis have been confirmed, but effects of its combination with probiotics on broiler chicken performance are unclear. Aims This experiment was designed to study the effects of different levels of a microalga (Spirulina platensis) and a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis PB6, BSPB) on performance, intestinal microbiota and morphology, and blood parameters in broiler chickens. Methods One-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens (300 in total) were allocated to six treatments in a completely randomised design with 3 × 2 factorial arrangement including three levels of Spirulina (0%, 0.05% or 0.1% of diet) and two levels of BSPB (0% or 0.05% of diet) and were reared for 42 days. Key results Individual use of Spirulina and BSPB improved bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens. The relative weight of the breast cut was greater in broilers treated with 0.05% Spirulina than in those receiving Spirulina-free treatments. The count of lactic acid bacteria was higher in the ileum of birds receiving only BSPB than in those receiving diets without BSPB. The use of 0.1% Spirulina in the diet decreased the pH and coliform population in the ileum compared with 0% Spirulina. There was an interaction between Spirulina and BSPB on villus height (VH) and the VH:crypt depth ratio in the small intestine. Co-supplementation with 0.1% Spirulina and BSPB increased VH and the VH:crypt depth ratio in the duodenum compared with diets supplemented, respectively, with 0.1% Spirulina and BSPB alone. Broiler chickens fed diets with BSPB had higher activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and lower concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride in serum. Conclusions The results show that supplementation with Spirulina and BSPB had a positive effect on performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens. The synergistic interaction between these supplements leads to enhancement of epithelial morphology in the small intestine. Implications Because of the potential of Spirulina and BSPB to create beneficial changes in the intestinal ecosystem and serum parameters, these dietary additives could be recommended for improving the quantity and quality of meat products and health status in broiler chickens.

Maximize Growth and Productivity of Rice by Using N2-Fixing Anabaena oryzae and Spirulina platensis Extract

This study highlights the role of both inoculation with N2-Fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena oryzae and spraying with cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis extract and their combinations on growth and productivity of the two rice varieties (Sakha108 and Giza178) under different doses of nitrogen fertilizers. The experiment was laid out in a split - plot design with four replications; the two rice varieties were located in the main plots and fertilizer treatments were placed in the sub-plots. Chlorophyll content of flag leaf, plant height, number of panicle/m2 and panicle length, number of filled grain/panicle, one thousand grain weight, straw and grain yields (t/ha) were measured. Bioactive compounds and amino acid production of Spirulina were determined by GC–MC and amino acid analyzer, respectively. The results show Spirulina extract contains eighteen amino acid and several bioactive molecules and application of mixture Anabaena oryzae and Spirulina platensis extract with 75% recommended dose of nitrogen or recommended dose of N fertilizer gave nearly the highest value of growth characters, grain yield and yield components compared with other treatments in both seasons. This study describes the role of Anabaena oryzae and spraying with Spirulina platensis extract through plant-microbe interactions and the effect of this reaction on the growth and productivity of rice crop.

Maximizing growth and productivity of onion (Allium cepa L.) by Spirulina platensis extract and nitrogen-fixing endophyte Pseudomonas stutzeri.

The study focuses on the impact of foliar spraying cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis extract and the inoculation with the endophyte N2-fixing Pseudomonas stutzeri, and their mixture in the presence of different nitrogen doses on growth and yield of onion under field conditions. Bioactive compounds of Spirulina and Pseudomonas were analyzed by GC-MC and amino acid production of Spirulina by the amino acid analyzer. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN), indole acetic acid (IAA), ammonia (NH3), pectinase activity, and N2-fixation of Pseudomonas were measured. Plant height (cm), leaf length (cm), number of green leaves, bulb diameter (cm), fresh and dry weight of plant (g), chlorophyll a, b of leaves, bulb weight (g), marketable bulb yield (t. ha-1), cull bulb weight (t. ha-1), total bulb yield (t. ha-1), bulb diameter (cm), total soluble solids (TSS%), dry matter content (DM%), evaluation of storage behavior, and economic feasibility were estimated. Spirulina extract has several bioactive compounds. Pseudomonas can produce HCN, NH3, IAA, pectinase, and nitrogen fixation. The application of mixture with recommended dose of nitrogen increases the onion plant parameters, marketable yield, total bulb yield, bulb weight, bulb diameter, TSS%, DM%, net return, benefit-cost ratio (B:C), lowest cumulative weight loss% of bulbs during storage, and reduce culls weight compared with other treatments in two seasons. Application of S. platensis extract and inoculation with endophyte nitrogen-fixing P. stutzeri enhance the growth and productivity of the onion under different doses of nitrogen fertilizer.