Comparison of microalgal biomasses as functional food ingredients: Focus on the composition of cell wall related polysaccharides

Abstract

Microalgae are rich in several nutritional and health-beneficial components, showing great potential as functional food ingredients. To this extent, knowledge of the biomass composition is essential in the selection of suitable microalgae species for specific food applications. Surprisingly, although cell wall polysaccharides are generally reported to play a role in functionality, limited attention has been given to the cell wall related polysaccharides of microalgae so far. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize dry biomasses of ten microalgae species with potential as functional food ingredients, with a particular focus on the composition of cell wall related polysaccharides. The investigated species were Arthrospira platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, Diacronema lutheri, Tisochrysis lutea, Nannochloropsis sp., Odontella aurita, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Porphyridium cruentum, Schizochytrium sp. and Tetraselmis chuii. Lipids, proteins and ash made up a large fraction of the biomasses, except for the freshwater algae C. vulgaris and A. platensis which were mainly composed of proteins and polysaccharides. Generally, low amounts of storage polysaccharides (2-8%) were observed in the investigated microalgae species, while extracellular polymeric substances were only present in P. cruentum, O. aurita, C. vulgaris and A. platensis. Cell wall polysaccharides contributed approximately 10% of the biomass and were composed of heteropolysaccharides, showing at least five different monosaccharides. Moreover, the presence of uronic acids and sulfate groups provides anionic characteristics to the cell wall related polysaccharides of several microalgae. As a result, these polysaccharides show potential to display interesting functionalities as bioactive or technological substances.

Effects of thermal disinfection and autoclave sterilisation on the quality of microalgae concentrates

“…This is likely due to the N. oculata cell walls being destroyed or denatured under the HTHP conditions. It is currently unknown why the C. vulgaris cells did not also become digestible under the same conditions, but this is likely related to differences in the structure and composition of the cell walls between the two species (Bernaerts et al, 2018). Because N. oculata contains large amounts of EPA, which is an essential fatty acid for the larvae of many marine species (Brown et al, 1997;Watanabe et al, 1983), HTHP-treated N. oculata have high potential for the nutritional enrichment of Artemia before they are fed to larvae and for the supplementation of larval rearing water during the period of Artemia feeding.…”

“…which are able to feed; Sorgeloos et al, 2001). It is currently unknown why the C. vulgaris cells did not also become digestible under the same conditions, but this is likely related to differences in the structure and composition of the cell walls between the two species (Bernaerts et al, 2018). This is likely due to the N. oculata cell walls being destroyed or denatured under the HTHP conditions.…”

Solvent Extraction Techniques of Lipid from Algal species in Wastewater Treatment Station

“…Microalgae biomass is ownerless in lignocellulosic material and full of lipids and protein, so it is considered as an important alternative feedstock for biofuels [10]. The differences in cell size, shape and structure of algae species, and the characteristics of the wastewater media can effect on the lipid recovery efficiency [11,12]. Bernaerts et al [12]demonstrated that algal biomass components can be altered by modifying the cultivation conditions, such as nutrients concentration and temperature.…”

“…The differences in cell size, shape and structure of algae species, and the characteristics of the wastewater media can effect on the lipid recovery efficiency [11,12]. Bernaerts et al [12]demonstrated that algal biomass components can be altered by modifying the cultivation conditions, such as nutrients concentration and temperature. Patrícya et al demonstrated that maximum total lipid of mixed algae cultures cultivated in a stabilization pond system treating sewage was 33.7±5.3% [7].…”

A Method of Large-Scale Resource Utilization of Algae—Eutrophic Waste from Lake Chao, China: Preparation and Performance Optimization of Composite Packaging Materials

“…At the same time, in the field of biodegradable materials, there are many cases of introducing biological components into resin matrix to give us some inspiration. From previous studies that produced bioplastics from starch, protein or inorganic filer [10][11][12][13][14], considering that algae from Lake Chao are rich in phyco-protein and polysaccharide [15][16][17][18][19], if the properties of the biomacromolecules can be changed through physical or chemical means, the biomacromolecules can be used to prepare plastic products [20][21][22][23][24][25]. For example, edible biofilms or packaging materials were prepared using starch and protein as raw materials or by using the properties of hydroxyl groups in protein macromolecules grafted with compatibilizers [26,27], such as maleic anhydride, by introducing biomacromolecules into the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) chain [28,29].…”