Biochemical analysis of cyanobacterial strains isolated from different Tunisian inland waters: therapeutical and nutritional potential

Abstract

The last decade period has been characterized by a remarkable increase in the need for food, bioenergy, and pharmaceutical compounds. Meanwhile, microalgae have been in the center of interest as a rich and sustainable source of highly valuable natural products and bioactive compounds. In this perspective, the present study aimed at investigating the biochemical composition of 10 cyanobacterial strains collected from several Tunisian inland waters, seeking to identify the possible use of cyanobacteria in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals industry, and for animal and human consumption. Ten local strains of cyanobacteria were isolated from several Tunisian inland waters and cultured in controlled laboratory conditions. Fatty Acid methyl esters were analyzed in each strain by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as well as total proteins, carbohydrates and different phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin, allophycocyanin and phycoerythrin). Results showed that Planktothrix agardhii, Leptolyngbya sp1., and Leptolyngbya sp2. contained 14 different fatty acids, among which oleic acid was the most abundant. These might be important in nutraceutical and agronomic sectors due to the potent antioxidant and larvicidal activities of oleic acid. Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii presents extraordinarily high levels of phycocyanin, making it an exceptional natural reservoir of effective and non-toxic drugs that are of particular interest against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Extracts from cyanobacterial strains represent a natural and available source of proteins, of highly valuable fatty acids, and especially of phycocyanin which is known by its extremely health beneficial properties. The nutritional and functional complements provided by these extracts can be used in the prevention of various diseases and also as effective and environmentally friendly insecticides.

Dietary Chlorella vulgaris Supplementation Improves Reproductive Index of Female Rabbits and Protect their Progeny against Oxidative Stress

“…12 Antioxidants in the alga could be responsible for the improved reproduction performances and these agreed with previous reports exploring effect of supplemental antioxidant-rich micro-alga intake on the reproduction performance of rats which concluded that the gestational intake of the antioxidant-rich micro-alga could lead to improved gestation outcome performances. 22 The free radical scavenging power of the micro-alga could be attributed to improved reproductive outcomes because of the reduction in the accumulated malondialdehyde observed in the supplemented group which was also similar to reports of of some researchers which described malondialdehyde as a compound of reproduction risk because of its negative effect on gestation. 23 Therefore, the reduction of this compound in the supplemented group of this study suggests that Chlorella vulgaris intakes due to its antioxidant properties could serve as a health promoter during the gestation period.…”

Study of Potential Application of Cyanobacteria Leptolyngbya Valderiana in Skin Cosmeceuticals

“…The test isolate of Leptolyngbya valderiana is rich in protein content and has trivial application in the nutraceutical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. 19…”

“…The high content of carbohydrates is associated with the mucilaginous sheath in Leptolyngbya valderiana. 19 The carbohydrates help in skin lubrication thus keep the skin smooth and moist. They also act as viscosity boosters and thickening agents in skincare products.…”