Microalgae: A potential sustainable commercial source of sterols

Randhir, Ankitha; Laird, Damian W.; Maker, Garth; Trengove, Robert D.; Moheimani, Navid R.

doi:10.1016/j.algal.2019.101772

Cited by 92 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 152 publications

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“…Microalgal is considered as an alternative source of producing some valuable commercial sterols like, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, campesterol, and brassicasterol which have pharmaceuticals importance ( Randhir et al, 2020 ). Sterols are found in Chlorella sp., Chlamydomonas sp., Scenedesmus sp., Ankistrodesmus sp., Nannochloropsis limnetica , Stephanodiscus hantzschii , Gomphonema parvulum , Cyclotella meneghiniana , Cryptomonas sp., Monoraphidium sp.…”

Section: Potential Microalgal Antioxidants For Use In Cancer Therapiementioning

confidence: 99%

Medicinal Prospects of Antioxidants From Algal Sources in Cancer Therapy

Ferdous

Yusof

2021

Front. Pharmacol.

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Though cancer therapeutics can successfully eradicate cancerous cells, the effectiveness of these medications is mostly restricted to several deleterious side effects. Therefore, to alleviate these side effects, antioxidant supplementation is often warranted, reducing reactive species levels and mitigating persistent oxidative damage. Thus, it can impede the growth of cancer cells while protecting the normal cells simultaneously. Moreover, antioxidant supplementation alone or in combination with chemotherapeutics hinders further tumor development, prevents chemoresistance by improving the response to chemotherapy drugs, and enhances cancer patients’ quality of life by alleviating side effects. Preclinical and clinical studies have been revealed the efficacy of using phytochemical and dietary antioxidants from different sources in treating chemo and radiation therapy-induced toxicities and enhancing treatment effectiveness. In this context, algae, both micro and macro, can be considered as alternative natural sources of antioxidants. Algae possess antioxidants from diverse groups, which can be exploited in the pharmaceutical industry. Despite having nutritional benefits, investigation and utilization of algal antioxidants are still in their infancy. This review article summarizes the prospective anticancer effect of twenty-three antioxidants from microalgae and their potential mechanism of action in cancer cells, as well as usage in cancer therapy. In addition, antioxidants from seaweeds, especially from edible species, are outlined, as well.

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Section: Potential Microalgal Antioxidants For Use In Cancer Therapiementioning

confidence: 99%

Medicinal Prospects of Antioxidants From Algal Sources in Cancer Therapy

Ferdous

Yusof

2021

Front. Pharmacol.

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“…Fucosterol is produced manly by lanosterol pathway as observed by Gallo et al [28] in diatoms, and sitosterol followed by a C22 desaturation leading to stigmasterol both produced until cycloartenol pathway, the same occurs with desmosterol and chondrillasterol. Cholesterol is represented in the pathway figure produced by lanosterol, however there is research proving that this compound production also occurs by cycloartenol-dependent pathway [29].…”

Section: Algae Sterols Metabolic Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sterols Biosynthesis in Algae

Fagundes¹,

Wagner²

2021

Biosynthesis [Working Title]

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Sterols are secondary metabolites, they are considered bioactive, due to their recognized activity as antioxidants, anticarcinogenic, cardiovascular protectors, and antiviral capacity. These triterpenoids can be found in a wide range of concentrations in different algae strains, being the variations related to external factors. In the world, there are millions of algae, some strains have the ability to produce high-value phytosterols, like stigmasterol, and sitosterol, however, others could lead to cholesterol production. For this reason, understand the principal factors involved in sterols biosynthesis, allows us to appoint the algae strain for industrial application and escalating these specific compounds production. Some algae are capable to produce sterols from mevalonic acid pathway, other strains present the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP), or 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate (DOXP) as the main pathway, each one is responsible for the production of plans of intermediary compounds. In this sense, this chapter summarizes current knowledge of the biosynthetic pathways responsible for different sterols formation, as well as, describe main sterols that could be isolated from algae metabolism.

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“…Sterols in plants or phytosterols perform similar functions as does cholesterol in terms of physiological functions and structure. Phytosterols have been clinically proven to be beneficial for human consumption [ 4 ]. They possess anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and neuromodulatory properties [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Microalgae Strain Improvement for the Production of Sterols and Squalene

Potijun

Jaingam

Sanevas

et al. 2021

Plants

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Sterols and squalene are essential biomolecules required for the homeostasis of eukaryotic membrane permeability and fluidity. Both compounds have beneficial effects on human health. As the current sources of sterols and squalene are plant and shark oils, microalgae are suggested as more sustainable sources. Nonetheless, the high costs of production and processing still hinder the commercialization of algal cultivation. Strain improvement for higher product yield and tolerance to harsh environments is an attractive way to reduce costs. Being an intermediate in sterol synthesis, squalene is converted to squalene epoxide by squalene epoxidase. This step is inhibited by terbinafine, a commonly used antifungal drug. In yeasts, some terbinafine-resistant strains overproduced sterols, but similar microalgae strains have not been reported. Mutants that exhibit greater tolerance to terbinafine might accumulate increased sterols and squalene content, along with the ability to tolerate the drug and other stresses, which are beneficial for outdoor cultivation. To explore this possibility, terbinafine-resistant mutants were isolated in the model green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using UV mutagenesis. Three mutants were identified and all of them exhibited approximately 50 percent overproduction of sterols. Under terbinafine treatment, one of the mutants also accumulated around 50 percent higher levels of squalene. The higher accumulation of pigments and triacylglycerol were also observed. Along with resistance to terbinafine, this mutant also exhibited higher resistance to oxidative stress. Altogether, resistance to terbinafine can be used to screen for strains with increased levels of sterols or squalene in green microalgae without growth compromise.

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Microalgae: A potential sustainable commercial source of sterols

Cited by 92 publications

References 152 publications

Medicinal Prospects of Antioxidants From Algal Sources in Cancer Therapy

Medicinal Prospects of Antioxidants From Algal Sources in Cancer Therapy

Sterols Biosynthesis in Algae

Green Microalgae Strain Improvement for the Production of Sterols and Squalene

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