Effect of Food Containing Paramylon Derived from Euglena gracilis EOD-1 on Fatigue in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Trial

Abstract

Euglena gracilis EOD-1, a kind of microalgae, is known to contain a high proportion of paramylon, a type of β-1,3-glucan. Paramylon derived from E. gracilis EOD-1 is presumed to suppress cellular oxidative injury and expected to reduce fatigue and fatigue sensation. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether food containing paramylon derived from E. gracilis EOD-1 (EOD-1PM) ingestion reduced fatigue and fatigue sensation in healthy adults. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparison study in 66 healthy men and women who ingested a placebo or EOD-1PM daily for 4 weeks (daily life fatigue). Furthermore, at the examination days of 0 and 4 weeks, tolerance to fatigue load was evaluated using mental tasks (task-induced fatigue). We evaluated fatigue sensation using the Visual Analogue Scale, the work efficiency of the advanced trail making test and measured serum antioxidant markers. The EOD-1PM group showed significantly lower levels of physical and mental fatigue sensations and higher levels of work efficiency as well as serum biological antioxidant potential levels than the placebo group. These results indicate that EOD-1PM ingestion reduced fatigue and fatigue sensation, which may be due to an increase in antioxidant potential and maintenance of selective attention during work.

A Modeled High-Density Fed-Batch Culture Improves Biomass Growth and β-Glucans Accumulation in Microchloropsis salina

“…With regard to carbohydrate production, these values are consistent with those previously reported, where the microalgae could accumulate around 20% of carbohydrates [ 35 ], being its second major component. In the case of euglenoids, which are capable of accumulating high quantities of paramylon [ 36 ], or in Skeletonema costatum, which accumulate β-glucans as an energy reservoir [ 37 ], it has been suggested that there is a mechanism that diminishes its metabolisms and focuses in accumulate reserve metabolites to maintain cell viability. The full metabolic activities return once the nutrients are restored to requirement levels by the microalgae.…”

Effects of paramylon‐rich Euglena gracilisEOD‐1 powder on visceral fat obesity in moderately obese Japanese adults: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial

“…It has been reported that EOD‐1 reduces fatigue by improving antioxidant potential (Kawano et al, 2020 ). PM has been reported to reduce oxidative damage to cells, improve oxidatively induced liver damage in rats, and increase liver reductase activity (Sugiyama et al, 2009 ).…”

“…Beta‐glucans are common in cereal grains, fungi, and algae, although their physicochemical properties vary considerably from source to source. Recent studies indicate the positive effects of PM supplements in terms of reducing fatigue and promoting immune function (Ishibashi et al, 2019 ; Kawano et al, 2020 ). However, to date, no human intervention study investigating the anti‐obesity effects of PM has been reported.…”

Rapid Immune Modulation after Consuming Euglena gracilis Whole Algae Involving Altered Responses to Ex Vivo Immune Challenges: A Placebo-Controlled Cross-Over Trial

“…A 12-week study showed that consuming EG had positive effects on reducing tension and easing irritability associated with performing stressful mental tasks [13]. A 4-week trial showed a significantly lower level of taskinduced mental fatigue and a higher level of work efficiency when compared to the placebo group [14].…”