Microalgae in Human and Animal Nutrition

Extraction of carotenoids and chlorophyll from microalgae with supercritical carbon dioxide and ethanol as cosolvent

“…In addition, the use of CO 2 gives an added advantage in terms of quality, as extracts do not suffer excessive heating, which would destroy thermally unstable compounds.…”

“…At present, many commercial applications of seaweeds are known and these are due to the chemical constitution of these plants [1,2]. For example, seaweeds are used to increase the nutritional content of animal and human foodstuffs, in aquaculture [3] and in the cosmetics industry [4].…”

Microalgae as a source of nutraceuticals

“…Microalgae contain an array of vitamins including A, B 1 , B 2 , B 3 (Niacin), B 6 , B 12 , C, E, Folic acid and pantothenic acid, which have been reported to be present at high levels compared with most routine foods (Becker, 2004). The water soluble B-complex vitamins have wide-ranging functions that ultimately facilitate the processes involved in yielding energy from carbohydrates.…”

“…B-complex vitamins are essential for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and the proper functioning of the liver and nervous systems. Spirulina platensis, Chlorella pyrenoidoisa and Scenedesmus quadricauda are among the richest sources of A, E, B 1 , Vit B 2 , B 3 , B6, Folic acid, B 12 , C and pantothenic acid vitamins (Becker, 2004). A diet or supplement containing biomass from a combination of carefully selected microalgal species could provide vitamins of high bio-availability.…”

Outdoor mass culture of Spirulina platensis in Vietnam

“…Rich in protein, /Bcarotene and y-linolenic acid, S. platensis is a good source of complementary diet to prevent malnutrition in the developing countries. At present the world Spirulina production in approx 1000 t yr 1 (Ciferri & Tiboni, 1985), and this is used for health food, feed and the fine biochemical market (Borowitzka, 1988;Becker, 1988;Richmond, 1988).…”