Aplicaciones farmacéuticas e impactos ambientales de la Spirulina (Arthrospira). Una visión general

Recently, microalgae cultivation for different applications, including the production of nutritional and pharmaceutical active compounds has received increasing attention. Among the different genera, Spirulina (Arthrospira sp.) is one of the most promising blue-green microalgae (Cyanophyta) because it is rich in antioxidants, essential amino acids (EAAs), minerals, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins. It has a high protein content (60-70% of the dry weight), which is a complete protein, i.e. containing all EAAs. Therefore, Spirulina is currently a commercial product with high nutritional value and also a significant source of complementary and alternative medicine. The objective of the present work was to review the pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications of Spirulina, especially its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and anti-toxicity properties. The results were obtained from experiments in the literature performed in vitro and in vivo using experimental animals. The main reported active ingredients in Spirulina include phycocyanin, tocopherol, β-carotene, caffeic acids and chlorogenic acid, which showed individual or synergetic effects. In addition, the present review discusses the future perspectives of genetically modified Spirulina as a source for industrial products while producing valuable biomass photoautotrophically. Furthermore, the consequent environmental impacts of large-scale cultivation of Spirulina are discussed.Recientemente, el cultivo de microalgas para diferentes aplicaciones, incluida la producción de compuestos activos nutricionales y farmacéuticos, está recibiendo una atención cada vez mayor. Entre los diferentes géneros, Spirulina (Arthrospira sp.) es una de las microalgas azul-verde más prometedoras (Cyanophyta) porque es rica en antioxidantes, aminoácidos esenciales (EAAs), minerales, proteínas, ácidos grasos poliinsaturados y vitaminas. Tiene un alto contenido de proteína (60-70% del peso seco) es una proteína completa, es decir, contiene todos los EAAs. Por lo tanto, la Spirulina es actualmente un producto comercial con alto valor nutricional y también una fuente importante parala medicina complementaria y alternativa. El objetivo del presente trabajo es revisar las aplicaciones farmacéuticas y terapéuticas de Spirulina, especialmente propiedades antioxidantes, antiinflamatorias, anticancerígenas, antimicrobianas, antidiabéticas, antiobesidad y antitóxicas. Los resultados se obtienen a partir de trabajos experimentales realizados in vitro e in vivo utilizando animales de experimentación. Los principales ingredientes activos reportados en Spirulina incluyen ficocianina, tocoferol, β-caroteno, ácidos caféicos y clorogénico que mostraron efectos individuales o sinérgicos. Además, en la presente revisión se discute las perspectivas futuras de la Spirulina genéticamente modificada como fuente de productos industriales, al mismo tiempo que se produce una valiosa biomasa fotoautotrófica. Además, se discutieron los impactos ambientales consiguientes del cultivo a gran escala de la Spirulina

Screening the Pollution-Tolerant <i>Chlorococcum</i> sp. (Chlorophyceae) Grown in Municipal Wastewater for Simultaneous Nutrient Removal and Biodiesel Production

Over the last few years and with increasing global climatic change, the international energy crisis and shortage of freshwater resources have raised many inquiries about global water security and energy. Therefore, finding out alternative and sustainable energy sources has become an important universal requirement. Here, we assessed the viability of exploiting municipal wastewater (WW) as a nutrient-rich growth medium for cultivating the pollution-tolerant coccoid green microalga Chlorococcum sp. (Chlorophyceae) to simultaneously remove nutrients and produce biodiesel. Chlorococcum sp. was isolated from municipal wastewater sampled from Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Under the standard growth conditions and until reaching the late exponential growth phase, it was cultivated at different concentrations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of the secondary treated WW, and the findings were compared to the control (grown in BBM). The study results revealed that the 50% WW treatment was the most suitable approach for removing NO3−, NH4+, and TP with percentages of 96.9%, 98.4%, and 90.1%, respectively. Moreover, the 50% WW treatment produced the highest algal biomass (1.97 g L−1) and productivity (82 mg L−1 day−1). In addition, it showed the highest lipid production (600 mg L−1), with 25 mg L−1 day−1 lipid productivity and lipid yield with 30.5% of the cell dry weight (CDW). The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was applied to characterize fatty acid profiling, and it was found that oleic (C18:1) and palmitic (C16:0) fatty acids were present in much higher concentrations in Chlorococcum sp. cells grown in 50% WW as compared to the control, i.e., 44.43% and 27.38% vs. 36.75% and 21.36%, respectively. No big difference was present in linoleic (C18:2) fatty acid concentrations. Importantly, the biodiesel properties of our Chlorococcum sp. grown in 50% WW were consistent with the international biodiesel standards. In light of our findings, Chlorococcum sp. has a great potential for utilization as a biodiesel feedstock and for bioremediation of wastewater