Undernutrition constitutes a public health problem particularly in developing countries. The utilization of algae, particularly Spirulina, as a functional food was suggested decades ago due to the fact that it is not only a protein-dense food source, but because its amino acid profile is considered as of high biologic-value protein content. Spirulina provides essential fats (e.g., gamma-linolen...

The response of Spirulina platensis cells to salinity stress was studied. Once adapted to the higher osmoticum, photosynthetic parameters such as the maximum rate of photosynthesis under saturating irradiance (Px) and the initial slope of the P-I curve (a) are reduced by 15% and 25% in 0.5 M NaCl grown cells, respectively. Salt-adapted cells have a modified biochemical composition; reduced prot...

Ramadan M.F., Asker M.M.S., Ibrahim Z.K. (2008): Functional bioactive compounds and biological activities of Spirulina platensis lipids. Czech J. Food. Sci., 26: 211–222. The compositions and concentrations of lipid classes, fatty acids, tocopherols were determined in the lipids from blue-green microalga Spirulina platensis. Total lipids (TL) recovered using chloroform: methanol (2:1, v/v) were...

The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unclear, but accumulating data suggest oxidative stress and the relationship between inflammation and immunity plays a crucial role. The aim of this study is to investigate the spirulina, which is a blue-green algae rich in proteins and other nutritional elements, and its component-phycocyanin effect on a rat model of NASH. NASH mo...

Spirulina platensis, is a photosynthetic, filamentous, spiral-shaped, multicellular and bluegreen micro alga. As it contains chlorophyll a, like higher plants, botanists classify it as a micro alga belonging to Cyanophyceae class; but according to bacteriologists it is a bacterium due to its prokaryotic structure. Mexicans (Aztecs) started using this microorganism as human food. Its chemical co...

Anticataract activity of Ambroxol, Spirulina and Vitamin E was examined using the naphthalene cataract model. Adult female albino rats of Wistar strain weighing between 180 and 220 grams were taken and divided into eight groups. Group I received light liquid paraffin 5 ml/kg/ day p.o. for 6 weeks. Group II received naphthalene solution 0.5 gm/kg/ day p.o. for first three days and 1 gm/kg/day p....

Background: Spirulina is a cyanobacterium blue-green alga rich in a wide range of nutrients include; protein, lipids, high level of various B vitamins, and minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. Aims: The objective of this study is to assess the impact of nutritional rehabilitation using Spirulina platensis versus vitamins and minerals supplementation on the...

BACKGROUND The demand for healthy, lean and consistent meat products containing low saturated fatty acid content and high quality polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially long-chain (≥C20) omega-3 PUFA, has increased in recent times. Fat deposition is altered by both the genetic background and dietary supplements, and this study aimed to assess the effect of dietary Spirulina supplementat...

Adult stem cells are present in many tissues including, skin, muscle, adipose, bone marrow, and in the brain. Neuroinflammation has been shown to be a potent negative regulator of stem cell and progenitor cell proliferation in the neurogenic regions of the brain. Recently we demonstrated that decreasing a key neuroinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta in the hippocampus of aged rats reversed the age-r...

AIM This work was aimed to document the antiviral activates of Spirulina platensis extract against foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) different types to evaluate its replication in Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cell culture and in baby mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cytotoxicity assay studied for S. platensis extract on BHK cells to determine the non-toxic dose. The non-toxic dose of Spirulina extr...