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Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae
Published on: October 1, 2013
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Characterization of Macro- and Microalgae Extracts Bioactive Compounds and Micro- and Macroelements Transition from
Ernesta Tolpeznikaite1, Vadims Bartkevics2, Modestas Ruzauskas3,4
1Faculty of Animal Sciences, Institute of Animal Rearing Technologies, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 28, 2021
Summary
Algal extracts from macroalgae and microalgae show varied antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Extraction can remove toxic metals but may reduce beneficial microelements, impacting their use in food and feed.
Area of Science:
- Marine Botany
- Phycology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Algae, including macroalgae and microalgae, are increasingly recognized for their diverse biochemical compounds.
- Understanding the extraction efficiency and properties of various algal species is crucial for their sustainable utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the characteristics of macroalgae (Cladophora rupestris, Furcellaria lumbricalis, Ulva intestinalis) and microalgae (Arthrospira platensis, Chlorella vulgaris) extracts.
- To assess micro- and macroelement transition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, chlorophyll, and total carotenoid concentration (TCC).
Main Methods:
- Extraction of target compounds from selected macroalgae and microalgae species.
- Analysis of micro- and macroelements, chlorophylls a/b, total carotenoid concentration (TCC), total phenolic compound content (TPCC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH assay).
- Microbiological assays to determine antimicrobial efficacy against specific bacterial strains.
Main Results:
- Cladophora rupestris exhibited the highest TCC and chlorophyll content among macroalgae. Chlorella vulgaris showed significantly higher TCC than Arthrospira platensis, but lower chlorophyll content.
- A moderate negative correlation was observed between chlorophyll-a and TCC. Macroalgae extracts from C. rupestris and F. lumbricalis had the highest TPCC.
- Algal extracts demonstrated varying antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Bacillus subtilis, and Streptococcus mutans. Extraction effectively removed toxic metals but reduced some essential microelements.
Conclusions:
- Extraction is a viable method for toxic metal decontamination in algae.
- The biochemical profiles and bioactivities of algal extracts vary significantly between species and extraction methods.
- Further optimization is needed to balance toxic metal removal with the retention of beneficial microelements for food and feed applications.
Keywords:
Baltic Sea macroalgaeantimicrobial characteristicsantioxidant propertiesmicroalgaespirulinatrace elementsMore Related Videos
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