Native Algae Research Articles

Influence of Cosmetic Skincare Products with pH < 5 on the Skin Microbiome: A Randomized Clinical Evaluation.

The human skin acts as a protective barrier against external pathogens and hosts a diverse microbiome consisting of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea. Disruptions to the skin microbiome can impact immune function, leading to inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. The importance of pH for the microbiome is paramount. Cosmetic skincare products interact with the skin microbiome and skin pH, playing a key role in maintaining microbial balance. Research suggests that products with non-physiological pH levels may disrupt the skin microbiota. Our clinical study aimed to evaluate the effects of low-pH cosmetic products (pH < 5) on the skin microbiome, contributing to improved skin health. The clinical study focused on evaluating the skin microbiome diversity following the application for 28 days of four different low-pH cosmetic products (vitamin C, resveratrol, a collagen mask, and a native algae mask) on the forearms of post-menopausal women with skin pH > 5.5. The diversity of the natural skin microbiome increased consistently throughout the study, evident in both the untreated area and after the application of the Vitamin C Concentrate, Resveratrol Concentrate, Collagen Mask, and Native Algae Mask, as indicated by Shannon's diversity index. The native algae mask notably reduced the Corynebacterium genus and significantly lowered the pH. The skin pH changes corresponded with microbiota stability. In conclusion, enhanced diversity of the natural skin microbiome was observed over the study duration. None of the investigational products caused significant disruption to the skin microbiome diversity, as evidenced by the stable Shannon's diversity index and relative abundance of specific genera. Notably, the native algae mask significantly decreased the presence of the opportunistic pathogenic Corynebacterium genus, which is likely attributable to a minor reduction in skin pH following extended product use. The findings suggest that the use of low-pH skincare products, like the native algae mask, do not disrupt skin microbiome diversity and may have the potential to positively impact skin microbiome diversity and health by reducing certain pathogenic microbial populations.

USE OF NATURAL EXTRACT FROM HOP, THYME, ORANGE AND ALGAE TO PROTECT POTATOES AGAINST POTATO BLIGHT (Phytophthora infestans)

USE OF NATURAL EXTRACT FROM HOP, THYME, ORANGE AND ALGAE TO PROTECT POTATOES AGAINST POTATO BLIGHT (Phytophthora infestans)

Effects of poultry by-product meal and complete replacement of fish oil with alternative oils on growth performance and gut health of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): a FEEDNETICS™ validation study

BackgroundAquaculture, traditionally a form of biotechnology, has evolved to integrate innovative biotechnological applications, such as advanced feed formulations, aimed at improving the growth performance and health of farmed fish species. In the present study, the effects of feeding rainbow trout with novel feed formulations were investigated. Fish growth, gut and liver morphology, the concentration of fatty acids in the fillet, and volatile fatty acids in the gut were assessed. The study also validated scenarios from in vivo experiments using a nutrient-based model called FEEDNETICS™. This globally used model serves as a tool for data interpretation and decision support in the context of precision fish farming.MethodsAlternative protein and oil sources, including poultry by-product meal (PBM) and natural algae oil, were explored as sustainable replacements for fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO). A 90-day feeding trial was conducted using rainbow trout, comparing two isoproteic, isolipidic and isoenergetic diets. The control diet contained 15% FM, 5% PBM, and 8% FO, while the test diet replaced FM with 15% PBM and 5% feather meal hydrolysate (FMH), and fully substituted FO with VeraMaris® natural algae oil and rapeseed oil.ResultsPBM successfully replaced FM protein without negatively affecting feed intake, growth performance or feed utilization in trout. The combination of PBM and natural algae oil was well tolerated by the trout and showed no negative effects on gut health. A detailed analysis of fatty acids in the fillet revealed that PUFAs of the n3 and n6 series were significantly higher in the PBM group than in the FM group. Values of fatty acid-related health indexes, including atherogenicity index, and thrombogenicity index, confirmed the high nutritional value of trout filet, thus representing a healthy product for human. In addition, the predictions using the FEEDNETICS™ indicated that the tested novel alternative formulations are economically viable. The validation of the model for fish growth resulted in a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 8%.ConclusionsThe FEEDNETICS™ application enhances our ability to optimize feeding strategies and improve production efficiency in the aquaculture industry. VeraMaris® algae oil and PBM could serve as viable and sustainable raw materials for fish feed, promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture practices.

Nutrient removal in floating and vertical flow constructed wetlands using aluminium dross: An innovative approach to mitigate eutrophication

On global scale, eutrophication is one of the most prevalent environmental threats to water quality, primarily caused by elevated concentration of nutrients in wastewater. This study utilizes aluminum dross (AD), an industrial waste, to create a value-added material by improving its operational feasibility and application for removing phosphate and ammonium from water. The operational challenges of AD such as its powdered nature and effective operation under only extreme pH conditions were addressed by immobilizing in calcium alginate to form calcium alginate aluminium dross (Ca-Alg-Al dross) beads. These Ca-Alg-Al dross beads were further tested for phosphate and ammonium removal from natural wastewater in two different aqueous environment systems: (i) vertical flow constructed wetlands (VF-CWs) followed by Ca-Alg-Al dross beads fixed bed system and (ii) Ca-Alg-Al dross beads mounted floating constructed wetlands (FCW) for remediating polluted lentic ecosystems. Our results show maximum phosphate and ammonium removal of 85 ± 0.41 % and 93.44 %, respectively, in VF-CWs followed by Ca-Alg-Al dross beads fixed bed system. The Ca-Alg-Al dross beads mounted FCW system achieved maximum phosphate removal of 79.18 ± 8.56 % and ammonium removal of 65.45 ± 21.04 %. Furthermore, the treated water from the FCW system was assessed for its potential to inhibit algal growth by artificially inoculating treated water with natural algae to simulate eutrophic conditions. Interestingly, treated water from the FCW system was found capable of arresting the algal growth. Besides, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the functional groups and surface properties and probable participation of multiple mechanisms including ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, and ligand complexation for phosphate and ammonium removal. Overall, these results offer a promising way to utilize AD for high-end applications in wastewater treatment.

Spectral Signatures of Macroalgae on Hawaiian Reefs

In Hawaiʻi, native macroalgae or “limu” are of ecological, cultural, and economic value. Invasive algae threaten native macroalgae and coral, which serve a key role in the reef ecosystem. Spectroscopy can be a valuable tool for species discrimination, while simultaneously providing insight into chemical processes occurring within photosynthetic organisms. The spectral identity and separability of Hawaiian macroalgal taxonomic groups and invasive and native macroalgae are poorly known and thus were the focus of this study. A macroalgal spectroscopic library of 30 species and species complexes found in Hawaiʻi was created. Spectral reflectance signatures were aligned with known absorption bands of taxonomic division-specific photosynthetic pigments. Quadratic discriminant analysis was used to explore if taxonomic groups of algae and native versus invasive algae could be classified spectrally. Algae were correctly classified based on taxonomic divisions 96.5% of the time and by species 83.2% of the time. Invasive versus native algae were correctly classified at a rate of 93% and higher, although the number of invasive algal species tested was limited. Analyses suggest that there is promise for the spectral separability of algae investigated in this study by algal taxonomic divisions and native-invasive status. This study created a spectral library that lays the groundwork for testing the spectral mapping of algae using current airborne and forthcoming spaceborne imaging spectroscopy, which could have significant implications for coastal management.

Food waste upcycling via microalgal adaptive evolution for lipids and fatty acids enhancement towards circular bioeconomy

Disposal of food waste (FW) has become a significant problem that exacerbates the economy, environment and climate due to its rich nutrient content, thereby implying the necessity to upcycle FW by biotechnology means in a sustainable manner. Employing photosynthetic microalgae to FW upcycling hold great potential to simultaneously remediate the FW and to biosynthesize novel commodity metabolites. However, effective nutrient utilization of FW and metabolite overproduction by native algae is inadequate, and thus further development of strain and strategy is warranted to achieve a circular bioeconomy. Here, the marine Nannochloropsis oceanica was improved by adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) under low salt conditions for enhanced lipid and uncompromised growth features. Then, FW hydrolysate (FWH) was used as the carbon source to facilitate the mixotrophic cultivation of N. oceanica. Results showed that the biomass of scrutinized evolved cells (ALE70) resulted in enhanced biomass production of 830 mg/l using FWH. Interestingly, ALE70 strains accumulate lipids up to 49 % of total cell dry weight, which was 1.5-fold higher than the WT cells cultivated in FWH. Importantly, FAME analysis by GC–MS showed that FWH provision to the ALE70 strains resulted in notable fatty acid alteration, enriched explicitly with unsaturated fatty acid and EPA content was hiked by 32 % of FAME. Altogether, these findings demonstrated a potential duplex strategy by employing the evolved strains to upcycle the food waste for valuable metabolite biosynthesis effectively and also offer promising insights into algal-associated food waste valorization towards circular bioeconomy.

Warming and parasitism impair the performance of Baltic native and invasive macroalgae and their associated fauna

AbstractGlobal warming, bioinvasions, and parasitism affect single‐species performances and species interactions, substantially impacting the structure and stability of marine ecosystems. In light of accelerated global change, the information derived from studies focusing on single species and single drivers is insufficient, calling for a multi‐stressor approach under near‐natural conditions. We investigated the effects of warming (+3°C) on the performance of a benthic community composed of native and invasive macroalgae, consumers and a trematode parasite in a mesocosm setting. We also assessed the effects of warming and parasitism on the survival and growth of gastropods and mussels and the thermal dependency of trematode performance. Our findings show that warming and grazing by infected gastropods had a large detrimental effect on the invasive macroalga growth. Furthermore, the single and interactive effects of parasitism and warming were detrimental to intermediate host survival and growth, especially to large mussels. Finally, cercarial emergence positively correlated to the natural peaks of summer temperatures, while infection intensity in mussels was higher in larger individuals. Our findings suggest that grazing and warming will be detrimental to the invasive macroalga, favoring the native alga. Moreover, parasitism will enhance grazing, especially in summer, when higher temperatures trigger parasite development. However, parasite‐enhanced grazing may be buffered by higher mortality or a shift in the size of infected intermediate hosts under warming. Our findings demonstrate how complex effects of ocean warming can be on food webs and how they can be mediated by parasitism and, as a result, influence native and invasive macroalgae differently.

Biosynthesis of cellulose from Ulva lactuca, manufacture of nanocellulose and its application as antimicrobial polymer

Green nanotechnology has recently been recognized as a more proper and safer tool for medical applications thanks to its natural reductions with low toxicity and avoidance of injurious chemicals. The macroalgal biomass was used for nanocellulose biosynthesis. Algae are abundant in the environment and have a high content of cellulose. In our study, we extracted parent cellulose from Ulva lactuca where consecutive treatments extracted cellulose to obtain an insoluble fraction rich in cellulose. The extracted cellulose has the same results obtained by matching it with reference cellulose, especially the same Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis peaks. Nanocellulose was synthesized from extracted cellulose with hydrolysis by sulfuric acid. Nanocellulose was examined by Scanning electron microscope (SEM) shown by a slab-like region as Fig. 4a and Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) to examine the chemical composition. The size of nanocellulose in the range of 50 nm is calculated by XRD analysis. Antibacterial examination of nanocellulose was tested against Gram+ bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538), Klebsiella pneumonia (ST627), and Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli (ATCC25922), and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) to give 4.06, 4.66, 4.93 and 4.43 cm as respectively. Comparing the antibacterial effect of nanocellulose with some antibiotics and estimating minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of nanocellulose. We tested the influence of cellulose and nanocellulose on some fungi such as Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis. These results demonstrate that nanocellulose could be developed as an excellent solution to these challenges, making nanocellulose extracted from natural algae a very important medical material that is compatible with sustainable development.

LC-MS profiling-based non-targeted secondary metabolite screening for deciphering cosmeceutical potential of Malaysian algae.

Application of natural resources from the marine environment in the cosmeceutical industry is gaining great attention. This study pursues to discover the cosmeceutical potential of two Malaysian algae, Sargassum sp. and Kappaphycus sp. by determining their antioxidant capacity and assessing the presence of their secondary metabolites with cosmeceutical potential using non-targeted metabolite profiling. Metabolite profiling using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (Q-TOF) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in the Electrospray Ionization (ESI) mode resulted in 110 putative metabolites in Sargassum sp. and 47 putative metabolites in Kappaphycus sp. and were grouped according to their functions. To the best of our knowledge, the bioactive compounds of both algae have not been studied in any great detail. This is the first report to explore their cosmeceutical potential. Six antioxidants were detected in Sargassum sp., including fucoxanthin, (3S, 4R, 3'R)-4-Hydroxyalloxanthin, enzacamene N-stearoyl valine, 2-hydroxy-hexadecanoic acid, and metalloporphyrins. Meanwhile, three antioxidants detected in Kappahycus sp., namely Tanacetol A, 2-fluoro palmitic acid and idebenone metabolites. Three antioxidants are found in both algae species, namely, 3-tert-Butyl-5-methylcatechol, (-)-isoamijiol, and (6S)-dehydrovomifoliol. Anti-inflammatory metabolites such as 5(R)-HETE, protoverine, phytosphingosine, 4,5-Leukotriene-A4, and 5Z-octadecenoic acid were also found in both species. Sargassum sp. possesses higher antioxidant capacity as compared to Kappahycus sp. which may be linked to its number of antioxidant compounds found through LC-MS. Hence, our results conclude that Malaysian Sargassum sp. and Kappaphycus sp. are potential natural cosmeceutical ingredients as we aim to produce algae cosmeceutical products using native algae.

The use of an algal bioindicator in the assessment of different chemical remediation strategies for PAH-contaminated soils and sediments

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous petroleum-derived pollutants that tend to accumulate in soils and sediments. Among the in situ chemical oxidation technologies applied at PAH-contaminated sites are Fenton reagent (FN), persulfate ion (PS) and permanganate ion (PM). The natural phytoplankton of an aquatic environment is useful as a biological indicator of the treatment efficacy of pollutant degradation. The objective of this work was to assess the use of an algal species, native from Los Barreales Reservoir (Argentina), as an efficacy indicator of the chemical remediation of PAH-contaminated soils and sediments. Oxidations with FN, PS or PM were carried out on soils and sediments previously contaminated with two types of PAHs (phenanthrene (Ph) or Benzo(a)anthracene (Ba)), analysing pH, residual oxidant, PAH degradation and heterotrophic bacteria abundance in soils or sediments after 7 days. Then, a bioassay was carried out by incubating the obtained soils or sediments, and the native alga Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin, Brébisson), analysing its abundance after 7 days. S. quadricauda abundance was related to PAH degradation efficacy, residual oxidants and changes in system pH. In this sense, the application of PS produced the lowest growth of the indicator in assays both with soils and sediments. Fenton reaction results varied depending on the contaminating PAH, with the best percentages of PAH degradation and growth of S. quadricauda for Ba. PM oxidation resulted in the best development of the indicator. This study constitutes a first approach to the use of S. quadricauda as an efficiency indicator of soil/sediment chemical remediation.

PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM NATURAL ALGAE

Abstract:Due to its advantages for the environment and utilization of renewable resources, biodiesel has recently gained in popularity. The globe is continuously modernizing and industrializing. As a result, the number of vehicles and engines is rising. However, the energy sources utilized in these engines are finite and steadily dwindling. The need for an alternative fuel for diesel engines results from this circumstance. Another fuel option for diesel engines is biodiesel. Biodiesel is made from the esters of animal and vegetable fats. In this essay, the potential for producing biodiesel from algae oil was covered. Algae are often small organisms that are considered of as basic aquatic plants because they lack leaves, roots, and stems. They also reproduce similarly to primates. Both freshwater and oceanic waters include aquatic algae. The size of these organisms ranges from enormous kelp (meters in length) to those scarcely detectable under a microscope. The size, shape, and growth form of algae vary widely. With various species, the algae contain 2-65% oil. The well-known transesterification technique was used in this study to turn the oil into biodiesel KEYWORDS:Algae, Natural Algae, Methanol, NaOH, KOH, n-Hexane, Transesretification, Biodiesel.

Study on Growth of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) fed by Diatoma Microalgae in Pond

The common method of fertilizing to increase live food (microalgae) in Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ponds has disadvantages, including the fact that fertilizers increase the population of microalgae of all types (toxic and non-toxic) without human control and thus can cause growth. Unwanted to become harmful algae. This study was carried out at the same time with the beginning of the summer season and breeding of silver carp, with the aim of enriching the microalgae composition of warm-water fish breeding ponds located in Mazandaran province. Growth rate was calculated according to the treatments. 100 young of 90g Silver Carp were stored in each pond. Experiments were performed in circular concrete ponds with a diameter of 6 meters and a water height of 1 meter. Different microalgae compositions (1: 70% chlorella, 30% diatoma, 2: 70% diatoma, 30% chlorella and 3: control of natural algae composition of the area) were fed during the experiment. In this study, the growth rate of Silver Carp in different densities of Diatoma and Chlorella algae was evaluated in combination with different percentages in the pond environment and at the end of the experiment, survival percentage, fish growth rate, specific growth rate and average daily growth were calculated. Ponds whose fish were water-enriched with Diatoma microalgae with a density of 70% had higher growth (survival rate, fish growth rate, specific growth rate and average daily growth). Also, according to this study, since one of the condition for having a healthy farmed fish is to have a healthy and proper nutrition, so it is necessary to increase the share of edible microalgae Diatoma in the breeding environment of these fish to produce more and higher quality of these fish.

Oxidative Stress Response in the Seaweed Padina pavonica Associated with the Invasive Halimeda incrassata and Penicillus capitatus

The western Mediterranean Sea is one of the most affected areas by the introduction of alien seaweed. Penicillus capitatus Lam. and the recently introduced Halimeda incrassata (J.Ellis) J.V.Lamour are tropical algae that invade native algae assemblies in the shallow sandy beds of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean) where they are already settled. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a potential competition between the invasive P. capitatus and H. incrassata and the native Padina pavonica (L.) Thivy, by means of biomarkers. P. pavonica samples were collected in their habitat without invasive species and areas where P. capitatus and H. incrassata cohabitated. P. pavonica densities were measured in the three investigated areas. The coexistence of the invasive algae and P. pavonica was related to a significant decrease in the densities of native algae when compared to the area without the invaders. Antioxidant enzymes, catalase and superoxide dismutase, and the reduced glutathione and polyphenols levels were significantly increased in P. pavonica in the presence of both invasive algae. Malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative damage, and the reactive oxygen species production tended to increase in the presence of the alien species, but without significant differences. The obtained results show that the presence of P. capitatus and H. incrassata altered the normal vegetative growth of P. pavonica and caused an antioxidant response that led to a context of stress, but without evidence of oxidative damage. In conclusion, the presence of the alien H. incrassata and P. capitatus can be considered a source of competitive stress for P. pavonica, although further research regarding the increased water temperature is required.

Extraction of Nutraceutical Bioactive Compounds from Native Algae Using Solvents with a Deep Natural Eutectic Point and Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction

Extraction of Nutraceutical Bioactive Compounds from Native Algae Using Solvents with a Deep Natural Eutectic Point and Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction

Ecofloristic analysis of natural algae population of reservoirs used as biological ponds of Bukhara

The article presents data on the comparative analysis of biological ponds, sewage treatment plants, which according to its climatic, hydrological and physical- chemical conditions of the environment is different from the other ponds. This article discusses the ecological- floral analysis of natural population of algal ponds used as biological ponds - reservoirs, clarifiers. Keywords: factor, pond, algae, flora, algoflora, saprobity, systematic, filtering, season.

Parasitism enhances gastropod feeding on invasive and native algae while altering essential energy reserves for organismal homeostasis upon warming

Marine bioinvasions are of increasing attention due to their potential of causing ecological and economic loss. The seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla has recently invaded the Baltic Sea, where, under certain conditions, it was found to outcompete the native alga Fucus vesiculosus. Parasites of grazers and temperature are among the potential factors which might indirectly modulate the interactions between these co-occurring algae through their single and combined effects on grazing rates. We tested the temperature and parasitism effects on the feeding of the gastropod Littorina littorea on F. vesiculosus vs. G. vermiculophylla. Uninfected and trematode-infected gastropods were exposed to 10, 16, 22, and 28 °C for 4 days while fed with either algae. Faeces production was determined as a proxy for grazing rate, and HSP70 expression, glycogen and lipid concentrations were used to assess the gastropod's biochemical condition. Gracilaria vermiculophylla was grazed more than F. vesiculosus. Trematode infection significantly enhanced faeces production, decreased glycogen concentrations, and increased lipid concentrations in the gastropod. Warming significantly affected glycogen and lipid concentrations, with glycogen peaking at 16 °C and lipids at 22 °C. Although not significant, warming and trematode infection increased HSP70 levels. Increased faeces production in infected snails and higher faeces production by L. littorea fed with G. vermiculophylla compared to those which fed on F. vesiculosus, suggest parasitism as an important indirect modulator of the interaction between these algae. The changes in the gastropod's biochemical condition indicate that thermal stress induced the mobilization of energy reserves, suggesting a possible onset of compensatory metabolism. Finally, glycogen decrease in infected snails compared to uninfected ones might make them more susceptible to thermal stress.

Highly efficient conversion of nitrogen to ammonia on Au-decorated bioinspired polythiocyanuric acid photocatalyst

Seeking low-cost and efficient method to convert nitrogen into ammonia under mild conditions is of great significance to modern agriculture and industry. Herein, a novel bioinspired polymer photocatalyst, polythiocyanuric acid ((C3N3S3)n) constructed by s-triazines bridged by disulfide bonds, the pivotal light-capturing component in the natural algae, is synthesized, whereby the s-triazine units serve as electron acceptor, and the disulfide bridges deliver strong electron transport capacity, and thus such a sulfur-rich polymer can not only effectively harvest sunlight, but also deliver efficient photogenerated charge transport. Consequently, the resultant (C3N3S3)n displays highly efficient N2 photofixation activity under UV-Vis or visible light illumination. With the aid of Au nanoparticles, the polymer achieves a UV-Vis-light-driven NH3 yield up to 366 μmol h−1 g−1 with an ultrahigh apparent quantum efficiency (14.6%) at 420 nm. The present results provide important guidance for the development of stable and efficient bioinspired polymer photocatalysts for artificial N2 fixation under mild conditions.

Current Overview on the Role of Nanoparticles in Water Desalination Technology

Background: Nanoparticles based thin-film has remarkable challenges in water desalination. Carbon allotropes (carbon nanotubes, graphene sheets, and fullerene), metal and metal oxide nanoparticulates (titanium dioxide, silver, copper oxide, alumina, zinc oxide, and metal-organic framework, silica, halloysite, zeolite, aquaporin and cellulose) are the out breaking materials for water desalination. Advanced materials in membrane forms are impacting the desalination processes in terms of reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pervaporation, membrane distillation, and electrodialysis. Objective: The main objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the various methods of water desalination and the role of nanoparticles in this regard. Methods: We discussed the overall studies describing the process of desalination, viz. distillation, osmosis, freeze-thaw desalination, electrodialysis, membranes, various types of nanoparticles used in desalination, current techniques in desalination, membrane technology with Algae treatment, environmental issues in desalination, future scopes and trials. Conclusion: Various polymeric membranes with graphene/carbon derivatives and nano-particulate integrated membranes are gaining enormous attention in the field of membrane technology for the desalination process. Nanoparticulate impregnated, and natural algae conjugated polymeric membranes may provide a plethora of possibilities for membrane filtration technology in the near future.

The impact of micropollutants on native algae and cyanobacteria communities in ecological filters during drinking water treatment

An attractive alternative for drinking water production is ecological filtration. Previous studies have reported high removal levels of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) by this technology. Algae and cyanobacteria play an important role in the biological activity of ecological filters. The aim of this study was to characterize and identify the community of algae and cyanobacteria in relation to its composition, density and biovolume from 22 ecological filters that received spikings of 2 μg L−1 PPCPs. For algae and cyanobacteria species, triplicate samples were collected before and 96 h after each spiking from the interface between the top sand layer of the ecological filters and the supernatant water. Results show that Chlorophyceae and Cyanobacteria were present in high numbers of taxa and abundance. The specie Lepocinclis cf. ovum (Euglenophyceae) had the highest percentage occurrence/abundance and frequency into the filters, indicating a possible tolerance by Lepocinclis cf. ovum to the concentration of selected PPCPs. Although the concentration of PPCPs did not affect the treated water quality, they did affect the algae and cyanobacteria community. No differences were detected between filters that received a single PPCP and filters that received a mixture of the six compounds. Also, changes in the composition of algae and cyanobacteria communities were observed before and 96 h after the spikings.

Improving the Nutritional, Structural, and Sensory Properties of Gluten-Free Bread with Different Species of Microalgae.

Microalgae are an enormous source of nutrients that can be utilized to enrich common food of inherently low nutritional value, such as gluten-free (GF) bread. Addition of the algae species: Tetraselmis chuii (Tc), Chlorella vulgaris (Cv), and Nannochloropsis gaditana (Ng) biomass led to a significant increase in proteins, lipids, minerals (Ca, Mg, K, P, S, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn), and antioxidant activity. Although, a compromise on dough rheology and consequential sensory properties was observed. To address this, ethanol treatment of the biomass was necessary to eliminate pigments and odor compounds, which resulted in the bread receiving a similar score as the control during sensory trials. Ethanol treatment also resulted in increased dough strength depicted by creep/recovery tests. Due to the stronger dough structure, more air bubbles were trapped in the dough resulting in softer breads (23–65%) of high volume (12–27%) vs. the native algae biomass bread. Breads baked with Ng and Cv resulted in higher protein-enrichment than the Tc, while Tc enrichment led to an elevated mineral content, especially the Ca, which was six times higher than the other algae species. Overall, Ng, in combination with ethanol treatment, yielded a highly nutritious bread of improved technological and sensory properties, indicating that this species might be a candidate for functional GF bread development.