Mechanism of the hydrolysis of 1-chloro-2-ethylthioethane extraction

To evaluate the potentiality of the blue-green algae Spirulina platensis as a matrix for the production of Se-containing pharmaceuticals, the background levels of 31 major, minor and trace elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni using (n,p) reaction), As, Br, Zn, Rb, Mo, Ag, Sb, I, Ba, Sm, Tb, Tm, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Hg, Th were determined in Spirulina platensis biomass by means of epithermal neutron activation analysis. The possibility of the purpose-oriented incorporation of Se into Spirulina platensis biomass was demonstrated. The polynomial dependence of the Se accumulation on nutritional medium loading was revealed. The analytical technique used allows to control the amount of toxic elements in algae Spirulina platensis. Based on this study, a conclusion of the possibility to use Spirulina platensisas a matrix for the production of Se-containing pharmaceutical was drawn.     

Accumulation of selenium and chromium in the growth dynamics ofspirulina platensis

The dynamics of accumulation of Se(IV) and Cr(III) in Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) cells was studied using epithermal neutron activation analysis. The effect of Se(IV) and Cr(III) apart and together on growth and morphology of S. platensis cells is discussed. It was established that accumulation of Cr is more intensive than that of Se. As follows from the results obtained, the simultaneous loading of Se and Cr affects the biomass growth dynamics of S. platensis without changing its morphology and protein content. This finding serves the ground for developing the pharmaceuticals based on Se and Cr enriched biomass.     

Epithermal neutron activation analysis of Spirulina platensis biomass and extracted C-phycocianin and DNA

Epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) was used for study the biomass of Spirulina platensis. The background levels of concentration 27 macro-, micro- and trace elements ranging from 10^-3 to 10⁴ ppm was determined. It was found that the biomass of Spirulina does not contain toxic element concentrations above the tolerance level and can be utilized as a matrix of pharmaceuticals. The conentrations of basic elements in C-phycocianin and DNA extracted from Spirulina platensis were determined by ENAA. A comparison of the element content of a whole Spirulina biomass with that of a refined C-phycocianin preparation was made.     

Epithermal neutron activation analysis in applied microbiology

Some results from applying epithermal neutron activation analysis at FLNP JINR, Dubna, Russia, in medical biotechnology, environmental biotechnology and industrial biotechnology are reviewed. In the biomedical experiments biomass from the blue-green alga Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) has been used as a matrix for the development of pharmaceutical substances containing such essential trace elements as selenium, chromium and iodine. The feasibility of target-oriented introduction of these elements into S. platensis biocomplexes retaining its protein composition and natural beneficial properties was shown. The absorption of mercury on growth dynamics of S. platensis and other bacterial strains was observed. Detoxification of Cr and Hg by Arthrobacter globiformis 151B was demonstrated. Microbial synthesis of technologically important silver nanoparticles by the novel actinomycete strain Streptomyces glaucus 71 MD and blue-green alga S. platensis were characterized by a combined use of transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays. It was established that the tested actinomycete S. glaucus 71 MD produces silver nanoparticles extracellularly when acted upon by the silver nitrate solution, which offers a great advantage over an intracellular process of synthesis from the point of view of applications. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles by S. platensis proceeded differently under the short-term and long-term silver action.     

A new strategy for lipid production by mix cultivation of Spirulina platensis and Rhodotorula glutinis

Mix cultivation of microalgae (Spirulina platensis) and yeast (Rhodotorula glutinis) for lipid production was studied. Mixing cultivation of the two microorganisms significantly increased the accumulation of total biomass and total lipid yield. Dissolved oxygen and medium components in the mixed fermentation medium were analyzed. Mix cultivation in monosodium glutamate wastewater was further studied. Result indicated 1,600 mg/L of biomass was obtained and 73% of COD were removed.     

γ-linolenic acid production by microalgae

The production of γ-linolenic acid from algae in fresh and marine water was investigated. WhenSpirulina platensis was left in the dark condition, it contained about one and a half times γ-linolenic acid compared with conventionalSpirulina platensis. Marine microalga,Chlorella sp. NKG 042401 contained about 10% of γ-linolenic acid. The highest γ-linolenic acid content was obtained when this alga was cultured under the radiation of around 100 μEinstein/m²/s.     

Chemical Composition of Spirulina platensis Cultivated in Uzbekistan

Conditions for growing spirulina (Spirulina platensis) were developed. The amino-acid and carbohydrate compositions were determined. Lipids and vitamins of the culture biomass were studied.     

PROTEINS FROM Spirulina platensis BIOMASS

The accumulation dynamics of total protein, its fractional composition, and the molecular forms of key oxidoreductases were studied during cultivation ofSpirulina platensisbiomass.     

A Multivariate Approach to Evaluate Biomass Production,Biochemical Composition and Stress Compounds of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina platensis</Emphasis> Cultivated in Wastewater

The study was performed to investigate the effects of using cow effluent for the cultivation of Spirulina platensis on its biomass production and cell physiology. S. platensis was cultivated in three different cow effluents (CE) used as cultivation medium during 15 days. CE was prepared using dry cow manures, and it was further modified with supplement of NaNO₃ (CEN) and NaNO₃ + NaCl (CENS). High nitrate value stimulated chlorophyll-a and total protein content of the cyanobacterium and also biomass production in standards medium (SM) and CEN media. Total carbohydrate content of S. platensis grown in CE media was found to be higher (p < 0.05) than that of SM. Productions of biomass and biochemical compounds by the cyanobacterium grown on the CE and SM media were evaluated by using multivariate approach. Conductivity, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), salinity, pH, and TDS played important role (p < 0.01) in the biochemical composition. As an effective explanatory factor, ORP had a significant positive correlation with H₂O₂, whereas negatively correlated with chlorophyll-α, biomass production, filament length, and proline. Canonical correspondence analysis proposed that biochemical compounds of S. platensis were not only affected by salinity and nutrition of media but also by pH and ORP. The present study indicated that CEN as a low cost model medium had high potential for the production of biomass by S. platensis with high protein content.     

Determination of the elemental composition of cyanobacteria cells and cell fractions by atomic emission and atomic absorption spectrometry

An approach to studying the elemental composition of cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis and Nostoc commune using a set of complementary analytical methods (ICP-AES, PAAS, and ETAAS) is proposed. The procedures were adapted for the determination of macro- and microelements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu, Mo, Zn, B, and Se) in the biomass of cyanobacteria and separated cell fractions (chloroform and water-methanol extracts and precipitates). The conditions for the mineralization of biological materials were optimized for autoclave and microwave sample preparation procedures. The evaporation and atomization of Se and Mo in a graphite furnace in the presence of chloroform and methanol were studied. The use of combined analytical methods and the interpretation of analytical results allow one to draw conclusions about the ability of cyanobacteria to accumulate biologically important microelements (B, Mo, Se, and Zn) and to optimize technological processes for manufacturing biologically active substances.Translated from Zhurnal Analiticheskoi Khimii, Vol. 60, No. 1, 2005, pp. 35–40.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sedykh, Lyabusheva, Tambiev, Bannykh.     

Bioleaching of UO22+ Ions from Poor Uranium Ores by Means of Cyanobacteria

The present paper deals with the study on uranium (VI) leaching, as uranyl ions, from ores with a poor content in util minerals, using some algae as: Porphyridium cruentum (Smith and Soerly) Nägeli, Spirulina platensis CNM-CB-02 and Nostoc linkia (Roth) Born and Flah. The basic composition of these ores allowed the self-maintenance and self-development of these microorganisms, which have facilitated then the leaching of the uranium (VI) as UO₂ ²⁺ ions. The microbial leaching degree was comprised between 40–90%, depending on the used alga and experimental conditions.     

A metallomics approach discovers selenium-containing proteins in selenium-enriched soybean

Our previous study found that high-molecular-weight selenium (Se) species make up 82% of the total Se in the bean of Se-enriched soybean plants (Chan et al. 2010, Metallomics, 2(2): p. 147–153). The Se species have been commonly seen in other plants in addition to soybean, but their identities remain unresolved. The present study employs a multi-technique metallomics approach to characterize the proteins containing Se in the beans of Se-enriched soybean plants. Two main categories of proteins, maturation proteins and protease inhibitors, were found in Se-containing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractions. The proteins were screened by two-dimensional HPLC-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, size-exclusion chromatography, and anion-exchange chromatography, and the Se-containing fractions were then identified by peptide mapping using HPLC-Chip-electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry. Based on the belief that Se goes into proteins through non-specific incorporation, a new method was designed and applied for the Se-containing peptide identification. The Se-containing peptide KSDQSSSYDDDEYSKPCCDLCMCTRS, part of the sequence of protein Bowman–Birk proteinase isoinhibitor (Glycine max), was found in one of the Se-containing fractions. The nutritional value of the Se-containing proteins in Se-enriched soybeans will be an interesting topic for the future studies.     

Enhancement ofSpirulina biomass productivity by a protein hydrolysate

The effect of a hydrolyzed protein preparation on the growth and biomass yield of the blue-gree algaSpirulina platensis was studied. At the optimum dosage, the hydrolysate enhancedSpirulina productivity by almost 40% when compared to untreated cultures. This increased productivity correlated with an increase in the level of nitrogen assimilating enzymes, nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase.     

The occurrence of inositolphosphoceramides in spirulina microalgae

Spirulina microalga (Arthrospira platensis) is an interesting phototrophic organism because of its high content of nutrients including proteins, lipids, essential amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, polysaccharides, and minerals. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled to linear ion trap (LIT) and Orbitrap Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) via ESI was employed for the separation and characterization of lipid species in A. platensis. Inositolphosphoceramides (IPC) are minor but important constituents of spirulina; their investigation was accomplished by HILIC–ESI–MS including collision-induced dissociation (MS², MS³) of deprotonated molecules in the LIT analyzer and a schematic fragmentation pattern is described. All four commercial spirulina samples revealed the occurrence of the same IPC species at m/z 796.6 (d18:0/16:0;1), 810.6 (d18:0/17:0;1), 824.6 (d18:0/18:0;1), and 826.6 (d18:0/17:0;2) but in diverse relative abundance. This study sets the stage for future investigations on IPC in other algae and microalgae.     

Chromium interaction with blue-green microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina platensis</Emphasis>

The interaction of different chromium species with blue-green microalga Spirulina platensis was studied by neutron activation analysis (NAA). It was found that, in contrast to other microorganisms, spirulina predominantly assimilates nontoxic, essential Cr(III) species rather than the toxic Cr(VI) species. Photometry and EPR proved the absence of toxic chromium species with high degrees of oxidation in the course of Cr(III) accumulation by S. platensis cells. The relationship between the Cr(III) concentration in the chromium-containing spirulina biomass and the chromium concentration in the nutrient medium was found; it can be used for the determination of Cr(III) concentrations necessary for cell cultivation. The control of the protein composition and cytological status of cells showed that the S. platensis biomass assimilated Cr(III) in necessary concentrations under the selected conditions retained its protein composition and useful natural properties, and, hence, could be used for medical and preventive purposes.     

Purification and characterization of two major selenium-containing proteins in selenium-rich silkworm pupas

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element in vivo involved in the defense against oxidative stress. Se deficiency is associated with many human diseases. The bioactivity of Se is dose- and species-dependent. Silkworm pupa has been reported to accumulate Se mainly in proteins. Thus the characterization of major Se-containing proteins is very important in the application of Se-rich silkworm pupas in food and drugs. In this study, crude proteins were extracted from Se-rich silkworm pupas, followed by DEAE-Sepharose and Sephedex G-75 chromatography. Se content was measured after each step to determine the highest Se-containing fraction for the next step of separation. The proteins obtained were analyzed using SDS-PAGE, followed by in-gel digestion with trypsin, and were characterized by MALDI-TOF MS and ESI-MS/MS. These data showed two proteins mainly accumulated Se in the silkworm pupas. Those two proteins were proven by mass spectrometry to be arylphorin and sex-specific storage-protein 2 precursor (SP-2), respectively. Both of them belong to the storage proteins of amino acids during metamorphosis and the non-feeding pupal stage. The results suggest that Se could be enriched by storage proteins and be supplied to silkworm pupas in accompany with amino acids for the synthesis of new Se-containing proteins and peptides.     

Kinetics and bioenergetics of Spirulina platensis cultivation by fed-batch addition of urea as nitrogen source

The cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis was cultivated in bench-scale miniponds on bicarbonate/carbonate solutions using urea as nitrogen source. To minimize limitation and inhibition phenomena, urea was supplied semicontinuously using exponentially increasing feeding rates. The average growth rates obtained alternately varying the total mass of urea added per unit reactor volume (275<m _T<725 mg/L) and the total feeding time (9<t _T<15 d) clearly evidenced nitrogen limitation for m _T<500 mg/L and excess nitrogen inhibition above this threshold. The time behavior of the specific growth rate at variable urea feeding patterns allowed estimation of the time-dependent Gibbsenergy dissipation for cell growth under the actual depletion conditions of fed-batch cultivations. Comparison of the yield of growth on Gibbs energy obtained using either urea or KNO₃ pointed to the preference of S. platensis for the former nitrogen source, likely owing to more favorable bioenergetic conditions.     

Interaction of Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions with DNA from Spirulina platensis

Equilibrium dialysis and atomic absorption analysis were used to obtain adsorption isotherms and determine the stoichiometric binding constants of Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions to DNA from Spirulina platensis in solutions. The stoichiometric constants of Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions with DNA from S. platensis in 3 mM NaCI are 15.56⋅10⁴ and 14.40⋅10⁴, respectively. Effect of ionic strength and DNA GC content on binding constants of Cu(II)- and Cd(II)-DNA complexes were studied out. It was showed that the binding constants of Cu(II)- and Cd(II)-DNA complexes decrease with increase of ionic strength. The empirical dependences of logK on the GC content has been derived for Cd(II)- and Cu(II)-DNA complexes.     

Influence of ammonium chloride on growth and fatty acid production by spirulina platensis

Changes in growth and fatty acid content ofSpirulina platensis were examined after transferring cells into media containing various concentrations of ammonium chloride. Photosynthetic O₂ evolution rate decreased with increasing ammonium chloride concentration. Therefore, the algal growth was interrupted by ammonium chloride addition. On the other hand, total fatty acid content markedly increased after addition of ammonium chloride to a concentration of 15–50 mM and was maximized 40–48 h after addition of 25 mM ammonium chloride. The increases in palmitic and oleic acid content were especially remarkable. However, this began to decrease 48 h after the addition of 25 mM of ammonium chloride. Also, γ-linolenic acid content increased continuously during a 72-h incubation. As a result,Spirulina platensis cells containing about 2% γ-linolenic acid were obtained by ammonium chloride treatment, representing an increase of 1.5–2-fold compared to untreated cells.     

Monitoring of Spirulina Flakes and Powders from Italian Companies

Microalgae and microalgae-derived compounds have great potential as supplements in the human diet and as a source of bioactive products with health benefits. Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis (Nordstedt) Gomont, or Spirulina platensis) belongs to the class of cyanobacteria and has been studied for its numerous health benefits, which include anti-inflammatory properties, among others. This work was aimed at comparing some spirulina products available on the Italian market. The commercial products here analyzed consisted of spirulina cultivated and processed with different approaches. Single-component spirulina products in powder and flake form, free of any type of excipient produced from four different companies operating in the sector, have been analyzed. The macro- and micromorphological examination, and the content of pigments, phycobiliproteins, phenols, and proteins have shown differences regarding the morphology and chemical composition, especially for those classes of particularly unstable compounds such as chlorophylls and carotenoids, suggesting a great influence of both culture conditions and processing methods.