Role of Sodium Ions and Their Uptake by Cells of Cultured Blue-Green Algae, Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima

Microbiology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 646-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. B. Kol'chugina ◽  
E. N. Markarova
Author(s):  
T. K. Kalenik ◽  
E. V. Dobrynina ◽  
V. M. Ostapenko ◽  
Y. Torii ◽  
J. Hiromi

The article presents a study of the process of isolation of natural blue pigment – phycocyanin from the biomass of blue-green algae Spirulina platensis by water extraction, followed using its water solution as a natural food colorant in the production of milk chocolate. Recently, modern food enterprises are pursuing their policy towards expanding the range of products, which is closely related to the increasing needs of the population in food of a new kind. One of the solutions to this problem is the use of food additives of both natural and synthetic origin. Among the similar components widespread found dyes synthetic origin, which have high coverage rates and relatively low cost. However, many of the permitted in our country synthetic food dyes are banned in several developed countries as potentially dangerous to health. Synthetic dyes of red, yellow and green color have many natural analogues – carotenoids, lutein, chlorophyll, etc., except for the blue dye, the analogue of which is only anthocyanins, which are unstable depending on the pH conditions. In this article were identified phycobiliproteins and chlorophyll a in a water extract of spirulina. The mass concentration of phycobiliproteins and chlorophyll a was determined by spectrophotometric method before and after the addition of ammonium sulfate. A comparative analysis of the effect of fractionation (salting out) on the degree of purification of the phycocyanin solution. Presented and described the technological scheme of extraction of phycocyanin which allows to use it in food technologies as an extract or a dry powder. Established the concentration of phycocyanin extract from blue-green algae spirulina to produce milk blue chocolate. Determined organoleptic and hygienic characteristics of the finished product


1992 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 248-248
Author(s):  
L.L. Robbins ◽  
K. Yates

Geologists have long been plagued by the lack of evidence for the origin of ancient micrite deposits: any paleontological evidence is typically obscured or lacking altogether. The role of modern marine picoplankton gives insight into the origin of one mode of lime mud formation and may aid in the interpretation of ancient marine deposits.Whitings, patches of floating lime mud in supersaturated seawater on carbonate platforms, obtained from the Bahama Bank were analyzed utilizing biochemical techniques and Transmission Electron Microscopy. All Whitings indicated a close association between picoplankton cellular material and calcium carbonate crystals. Culture experiments indicated the presence of at least ten different picoplankton species in Whitings water. Two major genera found were the blue-green algae, Synechococcus and Synechocystis. Field and laboratory experimental data indicated that these cells and cellular organics play a major role in Whitings formation. The cells may undergo epicellular precipitation of calcium carbonate induced by photosynthesis. Environmental conditions necessary for this process have been delineated through field data and laboratory experiments.While picoplankton organics are rarely preserved over geologic time, the product of their life habit, namely lime mud, is preserved as micrite. Thick occurrences of micrite deposited in marine environments are widespread throughout the geologic record, ranging in age from Precambrian to Recent. Although rare, fossilized blue-green algae have been observed in Archean rocks and may be the only evidence that implicates these organisms in lime mud formation. The Whitings phenomenon serves as an excellent example in which a specific type of organism may be a prolific contributor to the rock record, and yet leaves no direct paleontological evidence of its involvement.


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