Spirulina extract improves age-induced vascular dysfunction

Vascular dysfunction is considered a hallmark of ageing that has been associated with altered vasomotor responses, in which nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species participate. The consumption of Spirulina extracts, with antioxidant properties, increased recently. Objective: This study investigates the effect of Spirulina aqueous extract (SAE) on the vascular function of the aorta from aged rats. Materials and methods: Aortic segments from aged male Sprague-Dawley rats (20–22 months old) were exposed to SAE (0.1% w/v, for 3 h) to analyse: (i) the vasodilator response induced by acetylcholine (ACh), by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), by the carbon monoxide releasing molecule (CORM) and by the KATP channel opener, cromakalim (CK); (ii) the vasoconstrictor response induced by KCl and noradrenaline (NA); (iii) the production of NO and superoxide anion, and (iv) the expression of the p-eNOS and HO-1 proteins. Results: Incubation with SAE increased the expression of p-eNOS (1.6-fold) and HO-1 (2.0-fold), enhanced NO release (1.4-fold in basal and 1.9-fold in ACh-stimulated conditions) while decreased the production of superoxide (0.7-fold). SAE also increased the sensitivity (measured as pEC50) to ACh (control: −7.06 ± 0.11; SAE: −8.16 ± 0.21), SNP (control: −7.96 ± 0.16; SAE: −9.11 ± 0.14) and CK (control: −7.05 ± 0.39; SAE: −8.29 ± 0.53), and potentiated the response to KCl (1.3-fold) and to NA (1.7-fold). Conclusion: The antioxidant properties of SAE improved the vasomotor responses of aorta from aged rats. These results may support the use of Spirulina as a protection against vascular dysfunctionThis study was supported by grants from Comunidad de Madrid(S2013/ABI-2783,‘INSPIRA1-CM’) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional to C. O. and M. F., the Spanish Ministerio deCiencia e Innovaci on (CTQ2017-86170-R) to C. O. and by theFondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias del Instituto de Salud Carlos III(PI19/01282) to M.

Preparation and Characterization of a Multicomponent <i>Arthrospira platensis</i> Biomass Hydrolysate with Superior Anti-Hypertensive, Anti-Hyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Activities via Selective Proteolysis

Arthrospira platensis biomass is a sustainable source of bioactive products for the food, cosmetic, and medicine industries. As well as primary metabolites, different secondary metabolites can be obtained via distinct enzymatic degradation of biomass. In this work, different hydrophilic extracts were obtained after treating the biomass with: (i) a serine endo-peptidase (Alcalase®), (ii) a mixture of amino-, dipeptidyl-, and endo-peptidases (Flavourzyme®), (iii) a mixture of endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase and an endo-1,4-xylanase, and β-glucanase (Ultraflo®), and (iv) an exo-1,3-glucanase (Vinoflow®) (all the enzymes from Novozymes A/S (bagsvaerd, Denmark)); with subsequent extraction of the biocomponents with an isopropanol/hexane mixture. The composition of each aqueous phase extract (in terms of amino acids, peptides, oligo-elements, carbohydrates, and phenols) and their in vitro functional properties were compared. The conditions described in this work using the enzyme Alcalase® permits the extraction of eight distinctive peptides. This extract is 7.3 times more anti-hypertensive, 106 times more anti-hypertriglyceridemic, 26 times more hypocholesterolemic, has 4.4 times more antioxidant activities, and has 2.3 times more phenols, than the extract obtained without any prior enzyme biomass digestion. Alcalase® extract is an advantageous product with potential application in functional food, pharmaceutics, and cosmetics

Advantageous Preparation of Digested Proteic Extracts from <i>Spirulina platensis</i> Biomass

Spirulina biomass has great nutritional value, but its proteins are not as well adsorbed as animal ones are. New functional food ingredients and metabolites can be obtained from spirulina, using different selective biodegradations of its biomass. Four enzyme-assisted extraction methods were independently studied, and their best operation conditions were determined. Enzymes were employed to increase the yield of easily adsorbed proteic extracts. A biomass pre-treatment using Alcalase&#174; (pH 6.5, 1% v/w, and 30 &#176;C) is described, which increased the extraction yield of hydrophilic biocomponents by 90% w/w compared to the simple solvent extraction. Alcalase&#174; gives rise to 2.5&#8315;6.1 times more amino acids than the others and eight differential short peptides (438&#8315;1493 Da). These processes were scaled up and the extracts were analyzed. Higher destruction of cell integrity in the case of Alcalase&#174; was also visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The described extractive technology uses cheap, commercial, food grade enzymes and hexane, accepted for food and drug safety. It is a promising process for a competitive biofactory, thanks to an efficient production of extracts with high applied potential in the nutrition, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries

Método para la obtención de un extracto con propiedades anti-hipertensivas, anti-hiperlipidémicas y antioxidantes

[EN] The present invention relates to a method for producing an extract of Arthrospira platensi characterised by comprising the following steps: a) incubating the Arthrospira platensi biomass in water or in an aqueous solution buffered at a pH of 6.5 and at a temperature of 30°C in the presence of the enzyme alkalase; and b) separating the biomass from the solution obtained in step a) to obtain the extract. The aqueous extract thus obtained is a concentrate of amino acids, low molecular weight peptides and polyphenols, amongst other antioxidants. The extract has numerous therapeutic applications, and can be used to prevent and treat hypertension or hyperlipidaemia[ES] La presente invención se refiere a un método para la obtención de un extracto de Arthrospira platensis caracterizado por que comprende las siguientes etapas: a) incubar la biomasa de Arthrospira platensis en agua o en una solución acuosa tamponada a un pH de 6.5 y a una temperatura de 30°C en presencia de la enzima alcalasa; y b) separar la biomasa de la solución obtenida en la etapa a) para obtener el extracto. El extracto acuoso así obtenido es un concentrado de aminoácidos y péptidos de bajo peso molecular y polifenoles, entre otros antioxidantes. El extracto tiene múltiples aplicaciones terapéuticas, pudiendo usarse en la prevención y tratamiento de la hipertensión o la hiperlipidemia[FR] La présente invention concerne une méthode pour l'obtention d'un extrait de Arthrospira platensis caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend les étapes suivantes: a) l'incubation de la biomasse de Arthrospira platensis dans de l'eau ou dans une solution aqueuse tamponnée à un pH de 6,5 et à une température de 30°C en présence de l'enzyme alcalase; et b) la séparation de la biomasse de la solution obtenue dans l'étape a) pour obtenir l'extrait. L'extrait aqueux ainsi obtenu est un concentré d'acides aminés et de peptides de faible masse moléculaire et de polyphénols, entre autres antioxydants. L'extrait a de multiples applications thérapeutiques, et peut être utilisé dans la prévention et le traitement de l'hypertension ou de l'hyperlipidémiePeer reviewedConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España)A1 Solicitud de patente con informe sobre el estado de la técnic

Transition metal-doped AlPO-18 and SAPO-18 as catalysts for the MTO reaction

Trabajo presentado en la 6th Czech-Italian-Spanish Conference on Molecular Sieves and Catalysis, celebrada en Amantea (Italia) del 14 al 17 de junio de 2015.The MTO process, which is efficiently catalyzed by various solid acids, produces short-chain olefins from methanol. This process allows to obtain valuable petrochemicals from carbon sources alternative to petroleum, such as natural gas or coal, via their conversion to methanol. Small-pore silicoaluminophosphate SAPO-34 has been proven an efficient catalyst for the MTO process, producing short-chain olefins with very high selectivities [1-3]. The catalytic activity and the selectivity towards the desired ethylene and propylene products are determined by structural and chemical properties of the molecular sieve, including acidity, pore size and shape, particle size and the presence of heteroatoms. Isomorphous substitution of Al(III) and/or P(V) ions in the AlPO framework by heteroatoms allows to develop controlled acidity and has a direct influence on the activity and selectivity of the catalyst. The substitution of Al(III) by a divalent metal ion as Co(II) or the substitution of P(V) by tetravalent Si(IV) generates a negative charge in the framework that leads to the formation of Brønsted acid centres when this charge is balanced by a proton after calcination of the organic template. The majority of syntheses and catalytic studies in the literature related to MTO concerns SAPO-34 and a variety of metal substituted analogues, such as CoAPO-34, NiSAPO-34 and FeSAPO-34 [4]. Only a few studies have been devoted to the heteroatom substituted AlPO-18 structure, despite the overall pore architecture and thermal stability of AlPO-34 and AlPO-18 related structures are very similar. In the present work, we have studied how the selectivity in the MTO process is influenced by the incorporation of several transition metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) in AlPO18 and SAPO-18 materials.We are thankful for the financial support of the Spanish MINECO (MAT2012-31127).Peer Reviewe

Método para la obtención de un extracto con propiedades anti-hipertensivas, anti-hiperlipidémicas y antioxidantes

Método para la obtención de un extracto con propiedades anti-hipertensivas, anti-hiperlipidémicas y antioxidantes. La presente invención se refiere a un método para obtener un extracto de Arthrospira sp. que comprende incubar Arthrospira sp. en una disolución acuosa a un pH de entre 3 y 14 en presencia de la enzima Alcalase{reg}; y separar la biomasa de la solución obtenida en la etapa a) para obtener el extracto. El extracto acuoso así obtenido es un concentrado de aminoácidos y péptidos de bajo peso molecular de fácil asimilación por el organismo, y en polifenoles entre otros antioxidantes. El extracto tiene múltiples aplicaciones terapéuticas, pudiendo usarse en la prevención y tratamiento de, por ejemplo, la hipertensión, anemia, desnutrición, hiperlipidemia, obesidad y diabetesPeer reviewedConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España)A1 Solicitud de patente con informe sobre el estado de la técnic

Methanol conversion to light olefins on mesopore-modified sapo-35 materials

Trabajo presentado en la 5th Czech-Italian-Spanish conference on Molecular Sieves and Catalysis, celebrada en Segovia (España) del 16 al 19 de junio de 2013.All the silicoaluminophosphates obtained possess Si/Al molar ratio close to that of gels (0.3), and the same crystal size (near 30mm). The incorporation of mesoporogen additives into the SAPO crystal was assessed by TGA analysis of the assynthesized solids. The properties of the SAPO-35 crystals prepared are influenced by the addition of each mesoporogen agent. Samples obtained without mesoporogen agent exhibit pore volume around 0.26ml/g. However, when carbon black and chitosan are used, the corresponding values are higher (0.29ml/g and 0.32ml/g), due to the increased external (non-microporous) surface area.Peer Reviewe

Selective synthesis of partial glycerides of conjugated linoleic acids via modulation of the catalytic properties of lipases by immobilization on different supports

Lipases B from Candida antarctica (CALB), Rhizomucor miehei (RML) and Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL) were immobilized on octadecyl methacylate (OM) or octadecyl methacrylate (OMC) beads. Their specific activity and regioselectivity were studied in the synthesis of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) partial glycerides, which presented nutraceutical properties. TLL derivatives were poor catalysts. Novozym® 435 was much better than Lipozyme® RM IM. RML activity (a GRAS enzyme) was modulated via immobilization. After only 3 h, OM−RML gave the highest CLA conversion (54% at 40 °C with 1:3 M ratio of glycerol to CLA). OM-RML reduced by a factor of 3.12 and 1.16 the activation energy of the reaction with Lipozyme® RM IM and Novozym® 435, respectively. The new GRAS preparation OM-RML brings forth an optimal regioselective preparation of sn-1 mono and sn-1,3 diacylglycerols rich in CLA, with a ratio of sn-1,3/sn-1,2 regioisomers of 21.8, compared to 2.3 for Novozym® 435

Beneficial effects of Spirulina Aqueous extract on vasodilator function of arteries from hypertensive rats

9 p.-7 fig.Hypertension is a multifactorial disorder considered one of the major causes of premature death worldwide. This pathology is associated with vascular functional/structural alterations in which nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen reactive species participate. On the other hand, the use of microalgae extracts in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is increasing. Based on the antioxidant and antihypertensive properties of Spirulina, this study aims to investigate the effect of an aqueous extract of Spirulina on the vasodilator function of the aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), analyzing the functional role of NO. For this, aortic segments from male SHR were divided into two groups, one control and the other exposed to an Spirulina aqueous extract (0.1% w/v, for 3 hours), to analyze (i) the production of NO, superoxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide; (ii) the vasodilator response induced by acetylcholine (ACh), by the NO donor and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and by the KATP channel opener and pinacidil; and (iii) the expression of the p-Akt, p-eNOS, and HO-1 proteins. The results showed that the aqueous Spirulina extract (i) increased the production of NO, did not significantly modify that of superoxide, while decreased that of hydrogen peroxide; (ii) increased the vasodilatory responses induced by ACh, NPS, and pinacidil; and (iii) increased the expression of p-Akt and HO-1. These results suggest that incubation with the aqueous Spirulina extract improves the vascular function of arteries from SHR by increasing the release/bioavailability/function of NO. Increased KATP channel activation and expression of pAkt and HO-1 appear to be participating in these actions.This study was supported by grants from Comunidad de Madrid (S2013/ABI-2783, “INSPIRΑ1-CM”) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional to JLG, CO, and MF; the Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (CTQ2017-86170-R) to CO; and by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (PI19/01282) to MF.Peer reviewe

Key factors controlling the enzyme catalyzed alcoholysis of vegetable oils

Trabajo presentado en las I Jornadas Españolas de Biocatálisis, celebradas en Madrid (España) del 2 al 3 de julio de 2015.The alcoholysis of vegetable oils is the reaction involved in the synthesis of products of high interest for different industrial sectors, such as biodiesel and nutraceuticals employed in functional nutrition, cosmetics, pharmacy and biomedicine. The enzyme‐catalyzed alcoholysis of oils requires the contact of the two immiscible precursor reagents (oil and short alcohol) with the biocatalyst [1]. Immobilized lipases are the most convenient type of biocatalyst used. In these systems, the reaction can be affected by diffusional limitations of reagents and products through the matrix pores. This fact can be especially important in solvent free systems. Also, the alcoholysis reaction can be carried out in presence and absence of an organic solvent to facilitate the mutual contact of substrates. The yields of the process usually depend on lipase preparation, type of nucleophile and solvent and composition of the reaction mixture. The objective of this investigation has been to develop a robust and highly active biocatalyst, and the optimization of enzymatic alcoholysis process of Camelina oil. The results comprise construction of seven different immobilized lipase derivatives of commercial Novozym® 435, and the identification of the most important reaction limitations. Lipase microenvironment in the biocatalyst preparation can be chemically modified. In this work the commercial biocatalysts was modified to obtain a more hydrophobic enzyme surface with TNBS, a hydrophobic and crosslinked enzyme surface with Glutaraldehyde, EDA modification to change anionic groups of the enzyme by cationic groups, treatment with ionic polymers to generate a very hydrophobic shell around the enzyme molecules, among others. The results permitted to identify optimal operation conditions and a biocatalyst characterized by an increased operational activity and stability in the alcoholysis of Camelina oil.Peer Reviewe