Prebiotic Efficiency of Blue Green Algae on Probiotics Microorganisms

Blue green algae also called cyanobacteria are considered to be the photosynthetic prokaryotes. Their similarities with both higher plants and simple bacteria have made them ideal model systems for intensive research in varied spheres of biology. Their role in nitrogen fixation is well known but their role as prebiotics to support the growth of probiotic bacteria is an upcoming field of study. Prebiotics includes indigestible carbohydrates mainly oligosaccharides that benefit the host organism by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of one or a limited number of probiotic bacteria in the colon. Spirulina, a cyanobacterium is a photoautotrophic microorganism, widely distributed in nature and is consumed as human food supplement for centuries because of its best known nutritional value. It contains 78% proteins, vitamins, 4-7% lipids, minerals, carbohydrates and some natural pigments. Due to the presence of these phytonutrients, it has corrective properties against several diseases like cancer, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, anaemia etc. Research studies have reported that the extracellular products produced by Spirulina platensis significantly promotes the growth of lactic acid bacteria such as Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. The present paper would focus on the prebiotic efficiency of certain blue green algae on probiotic microorganisms.