Solid Matrix-Supported Supercritical CO2 Enhances Extraction of γ-Linolenic Acid from the Cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis and Bioactivity Evaluation of the Molecule in Zebrafish

Abstract

Marine cyanobacteria represent a large untapped source of functional glycolipids enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for human health. However, advanced methods for scalable isolation of diverse species containing high-purity PUFA-rich glycolipids will have to be developed and their possible pharmaceutical and nutraceutical functions identified. This paper introduces a novel solid matrix-supported supercritical CO2 extraction method for scalable isolation of the PUFA γ-linolenic acid (GLA)-enriched glycolipids from the cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis, which has been the most widely used among microalgae in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. Of various porous materials studied, diatomite was the best to facilitate extraction of GLA-rich glycolipids, resulting in an extraction efficiency of 98%. Gamma-linolenic acid made up 35% of total fatty acids (TFAs) in the extracts, which was considerably greater than that obtained with ethanol (26%), Bligh and Dyer (24%), and in situ transesterification (24%) methods, respectively. Lipidomics analysis revealed that GLA was exclusively associated with galactolipids. Pharmaceutical functions of GLA-rich galactolipids were investigated on a zebrafish caudal fin regeneration model. The results suggested that GLA extracted from A. platensis possessed anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic activities, which acted in a concerted manner to promote post-injury regeneration of zebrafish.

Microalgae as Sustainable Bio-Factories of Healthy Lipids: Evaluating Fatty Acid Content and Antioxidant Activity

“…Omega-3 FAs have been identified with significantly elevated abundances in all microalgae, except Spirulina sp. The absence of ω-3 FA in Spirulina species has been extensively reported [ 51 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ]. However, some studies described the presence of some of these PUFA, although in very low abundances [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ].…”

Screening of Marine Bioactive Antimicrobial Compounds for Plant Pathogens

“…Messina et al have successfully used the SFE technique to extract anti-oxidant and pro-apoptotic astaxanthin ( 2 ) from Parapeneus longirostris [ 63 ]. From the Spirulina Cyanobacterium Arthrospira, Yang et al successfully extract γ-linolenic acid by using SFE [ 64 ].…”

Microalgal Lipid Extracts Have Potential to Modulate the Inflammatory Response: A Critical Review

“…Very few studies were performed in animal models [ 23 , 24 , 56 , 57 ]. The reduction of croton-induced oedema in mice and neutrophils concentration in the wound region of zebrafish was observed when treated with lipids from microalgae [ 23 , 24 ].…”

“…In contrast, others used lipid fractions in specific classes of lipids, such as glycolipids, phospholipids, or others ( Figure 2 B) [ 21 , 22 ]. Among these, the ones that used glycolipids from microalgae enriched fractions were the most studied [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”