Some Nutritional Characteristics of a Naturally Occurring Alga ( Microcystis sp.) in a Guatemalan Lake

Abstract

The nutritional characteristics of an alga ( Microcystis sp.) that occurs naturally in a Guatemalan lake were determined. The sun-dried material proved to have a high protein content (55.6%) and to be a possible good source of calcium and phosphorus (1, 169.1 and 633.4 mg/100 mg, respectively). Amino acid analysis showed that total sulfur amino acids were the most deficient ones, giving a protein score of 42 to the material. The in vitro protein digestibility of the material was 69.5%. Biological trials demonstrated that when the material was offered as the only protein source, very low consumption and a high mortality rate were obtained whether or not the diet was supplemented with 0.4% dl -methionine. However, when the material supplied 25% of the total protein of a corn-algae diet, the protein quality of the cereal was significantly improved ( P < 0.05).

Challenges of using blooms of Microcystis spp. in animal feeds: A comprehensive review of nutritional, toxicological and microbial health evaluation

“…Similar to other cyanobacteria, such as Spirulina platensis and some microalgae, including Chlorella vulgaris, Microcystis spp. contains 42%-60% crude protein (dry mass basis), which is also similar to the protein content of soybean (37-43%) (Boyd, 1973;de la Fuente et al, 1977;de Moor and Scott, 1985;Qiao et al, 2013; Tables 1 and 2, Fig. 1).…”

“…The total proportion of sulfur-containing amino acids is the most significant limiting factor in evaluating the nutritional value of Microcystis protein, which is similar to that of other potential sources of SCP, such as microalgae, yeasts and molds. The next most limiting amino acid is lysine, with a protein score of 81, with 70% of the total lysine content being chemically available to support growth (de la Fuente et al, 1977).…”

“…When Microcystis sp. was fed to Wistar rats (10.4% of protein content) as the only protein source, little was consumed and mortality was greater than that of the controls, whether or not the diet was supplemented with 0.4% DL-methionine (de la Fuente et al, 1977). However, when Microcystis sp.…”

A study on an herbivorous fish, Oreochromis niloticus L., diet and its quality in two Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes, Awasa and Zwai

“…and Awasa fish feed on Botryococcus braunii. Microcystis, a cyanophyte, is one of the most nutritious algae, with very high protein content, even though it lacks some essential amino acids (Boyd, 1968;Mayzaud and Martin, 1975;Yurkowski & Tabachek, 1979;de la Fuente et al, 1977); in this respect the deficiency of Microcystis may be compensated by the presence of other algae in the food. Herbivores fed a mixed diet of many plant species will get better nutrition (Lobel, 1981).…”

The Evaluation of Sinanodonta Woodiana Application Feasibility as a Microcystis-Blooming Removal Tool in Microcosm Experiments

“…Furthermore, in the study of de la Fuente G. et al, t the nutritional characteristics of Microcystis spp. that occurs naturally in a Guatemalan lake were determined and the sun-dried material proved to have a high protein content 55.6% 23) . Thus, from 0-day to 6-day, the algae filtered by the bivalves as main food had high proteins content, which probably induced the O/N ratios both on 0-day and 6-day to fall in the range of 3-16.…”