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Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Author Spotlight: Optimized Transformation Protocol for Chlorella vulgaris Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Published on: October 27, 2023
A Purified Novel Protein Obtained from Chlorella vulgaris Against Toxoplasma gondii
Karlla Mayara Nunes de Sousa1, Michele Aita Chaves1, Maria Rafaele Oliveira Bezerra da Silva1,2
1Laboratory of Biotechnology Applied to Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Biological Science Institute, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Introduction:
This study aimed to investigate the effects of the extract and purified protein from the microalga Chlorella vulgaris against T. gondii in infected Vero cells.
Method:
The extract was obtained through magnetic stirring with Tris-HCl buffer and evaluated for cytotoxicity and anti-Toxoplasma activity. The purified protein was isolated using Sephadex G- 75 chromatography and assessed in light microscopy assays.
Results:
Results indicated that the CC50 of the C. vulgaris extract was > 2000 μg/mL. Both the extract and the purified protein effectively inhibited parasite multiplication, with IC50 values of 132.6 and 8.6 μg/mL, respectively, and selectivity indices of 11.5 and > 20, respectively.
Discussion:
Microscopic analysis showed that the purified protein, even at higher concentrations, did not exhibit toxicity to the cells and reduced the number of intracellular tachyzoites.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that both the extract and purified protein of C. vulgaris possess the ability to inhibit T. gondii tachyzoites without causing toxicity to healthy cells, indicating their potential as bioactive compounds for pharmacological applications against toxoplasmosis.
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