Challenging microalgal vitamins for human health

Abstract Background Vitamins’ deficiency in humans is an important threat worldwide and requires solutions. In the concept of natural biofactory for bioactive compounds production, microalgae represent one of the most promising targets filling many biotechnological applications, and allowing the development of an eco-sustainable production of natural bioactive metabolites. Vitamins are probably one of the cutting edges of microalgal diversity compounds. Main text Microalgae can usefully provide many of the required vitamins in humans, more than terrestrial plants, for instance. Indeed, vitamins D and K, little present in many plants or fruits, are instead available from microalgae. The same occurs for some vitamins B (B12, B9, B6), while the other vitamins (A, C, D, E) are also provided by microalgae. This large panel of vitamins diversity in microalgal cells represents an exploitable platform in order to use them as natural vitamins’ producers for human consumption. This study aims to provide an integrative overview on vitamins content in the microalgal realm, and discuss on the great potential of microalgae as sources of different forms of vitamins to be included as functional ingredients in food or nutraceuticals for the human health. We report on the biological roles of vitamins in microalgae, the current knowledge on their modulation by environmental or biological forcing and on the biological activity of the different vitamins in human metabolism and health protection. Conclusion Finally, we critically discuss the challenges for promoting microalgae as a relevant source of vitamins, further enhancing the interests of microalgal “biofactory” for biotechnological applications, such as in nutraceuticals or cosmeceuticals.

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Edible Seaweeds: A Potential Novel Source of Bioactive Metabolites and Nutraceuticals With Human Health Benefits

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.740054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Babita Choudhary ◽

O. P. Chauhan ◽

Avinash Mishra

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Functional Foods ◽

Ace Inhibition ◽

Bioactive Metabolites ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Alternative Source ◽

Food Material ◽

Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme ◽

Regular Consumption

There has been an increase in human health concerns, and seaweeds are considered as a potential functional food which can decrease the risk of many diseases, as they contain various bioactive compounds. Seaweeds are of nutritional interest and a rich source of natural bioactive compounds including antioxidants, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids that can be used as an alternative source of food material. Seaweeds contain a high amount of vitamins such as A, D, E, C, and B, and minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron. Seaweeds containing carrageenan, agar and other polysaccharides not only act as a source of fiber but also can act as prebiotics which may benefit the bacteria present in the large intestine. The lack of technologies to process seaweeds for human consumption at an industrial scale is a serious limitation on growth of the seaweed-based functional foods sector. Seaweeds are one of the most extensively used functional foods, with a long history in Asian countries. Now they are also being explored by many Western and European countries. Evidence from epidemiological research suggests that regular consumption of a marine algae-based diet may boost immunity against a number of diseases including COVID-19 novel virus by angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition.

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Potential Use of Marine Seaweeds as Prebiotics: A Review

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25041004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 1004 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Aroa Lopez-Santamarina ◽

Jose Manuel Miranda ◽

Alicia del Carmen Mondragon ◽

Alexandre Lamas ◽

Alejandra Cardelle-Cobas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Fresh Water ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Arable Land ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Terrestrial Plants ◽

Human Gut ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Complex Carbohydrates

Human gut microbiota plays an important role in several metabolic processes and human diseases. Various dietary factors, including complex carbohydrates, such as polysaccharides, provide abundant nutrients and substrates for microbial metabolism in the gut, affecting the members and their functionality. Nowadays, the main sources of complex carbohydrates destined for human consumption are terrestrial plants. However, fresh water is an increasingly scarce commodity and world agricultural productivity is in a persistent decline, thus demanding the exploration of other sources of complex carbohydrates. As an interesting option, marine seaweeds show rapid growth and do not require arable land, fresh water or fertilizers. The present review offers an objective perspective of the current knowledge surrounding the impacts of seaweeds and their derived polysaccharides on the human microbiome and the profound need for more in-depth investigations into this topic. Animal experiments and in vitro colonic-simulating trials investigating the effects of seaweed ingestion on human gut microbiota are discussed.

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Impact of Bacillus in fermented soybean foods on human health

Annals of Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s13213-021-01641-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Trishala Gopikrishna ◽

Harini Keerthana Suresh Kumar ◽

Kumar Perumal ◽

Elavarashi Elangovan

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Health Risks ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Potential Health ◽

Fermented Soybean ◽

Food Pathogens ◽

Depth Analysis ◽

Fermented Soybean Foods

Abstract Purpose Fermented soybean foods (FSF) is popularly consumed in the South-East Asian countries. Bacillus species, a predominant microorganism present in these foods, have demonstrated beneficial and deleterious impacts on human health. These microorganisms produce bioactive compounds during fermentation that have beneficial impacts in improving human health. However, the health risks associated with FSF, food pathogens, biogenic amines (BAs) production, and late-onset anaphylaxis, remain a concern. The purpose of this review is to present an in-depth analysis of positive and negative impacts as a result of consumption of FSF along with the measures to alleviate health risks for human consumption. Methods This review was composed by scrutinizing contemporary literature of peer-reviewed publications related to Bacillus and FSF. Based on the results from academic journals, this review paper was categorized into FSF, role of Bacillus species in these foods, process of fermentation, beneficial, and adverse influence of these foods along with methods to improve food safety. Special emphasis was given to the potential benefits of bioactive compounds released during fermentation of soybean by Bacillus species. Results The nutritional and functional properties of FSF are well-appreciated, due to the release of peptides and mucilage, which have shown health benefits: in managing cardiac disease, gastric disease, cancer, allergies, hepatic disease, obesity, immune disorders, and especially microbial infections due to the presence of probiotic property, which is a potential alternative to antibiotics. Efficient interventions were established to mitigate pitfalls like the techniques to reduce BAs and food pathogens and by using a defined starter culture to improve the safety and quality of these foods. Conclusion Despite some of the detrimental effects produced by these foods, potential health benefits have been observed. Therefore, soybean foods fermented by Bacillus can be a promising food by integrating effective measures for maintaining safety and quality for human consumption. Further, in vivo analysis on the activity and dietary interventions of bioactive compounds among animal models and human volunteers are yet to be achieved which is essential to commercialize them for safe consumption by humans, especially immunocompromised patients.

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Lactobacillus Reuteri DSM 17938 (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) in Diarrhea and Constipation: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57070643 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (7) ◽

pp. 643

Author(s):

Angela Saviano ◽

Mattia Brigida ◽

Alessio Migneco ◽

Gayani Gunawardena ◽

Christian Zanza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Abdominal Pain ◽

Human Health ◽

Bowel Disease ◽

Chronic Constipation ◽

Lactobacillus Reuteri ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Inflammatory Bowel

Background and Objectives: Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (L. reuteri) is a probiotic that can colonize different human body sites, including primarily the gastrointestinal tract, but also the urinary tract, the skin, and breast milk. Literature data showed that the administration of L. reuteri can be beneficial to human health. The aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge on the role of L. reuteri in the management of gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation, both in adults and children, which are frequent reasons for admission to the emergency department (ED), in order to promote the best selection of probiotic type in the treatment of these uncomfortable and common symptoms. Materials and Methods: We searched articles on PubMed® from January 2011 to January 2021. Results: Numerous clinical studies suggested that L. reuteri may be helpful in modulating gut microbiota, eliminating infections, and attenuating the gastrointestinal symptoms of enteric colitis, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (also related to the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection), irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic constipation. In both children and in adults, L. reuteri shortens the duration of acute infectious diarrhea and improves abdominal pain in patients with colitis or inflammatory bowel disease. It can ameliorate dyspepsia and symptoms of gastritis in patients with HP infection. Moreover, it improves gut motility and chronic constipation. Conclusion: Currently, probiotics are widely used to prevent and treat numerous gastrointestinal disorders. In our opinion, L. reuteri meets all the requirements to be considered a safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious probiotic that is able to contribute to the beneficial effects on gut-human health, preventing and treating many gastrointestinal symptoms, and speeding up the recovery and discharge of patients accessing the emergency department.

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Liquid–liquid phase separation in human health and diseases

Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy ◽

10.1038/s41392-021-00678-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bin Wang ◽

Lei Zhang ◽

Tong Dai ◽

Ziran Qin ◽

Huasong Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phase Separation ◽

Liquid Phase ◽

Human Health ◽

Essential Role ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Vital Role ◽

Liquid Phase Separation ◽

Eukaryotic Cells ◽

Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

AbstractEmerging evidence suggests that liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) represents a vital and ubiquitous phenomenon underlying the formation of membraneless organelles in eukaryotic cells (also known as biomolecular condensates or droplets). Recent studies have revealed evidences that indicate that LLPS plays a vital role in human health and diseases. In this review, we describe our current understanding of LLPS and summarize its physiological functions. We further describe the role of LLPS in the development of human diseases. Additionally, we review the recently developed methods for studying LLPS. Although LLPS research is in its infancy—but is fast-growing—it is clear that LLPS plays an essential role in the development of pathophysiological conditions. This highlights the need for an overview of the recent advances in the field to translate our current knowledge regarding LLPS into therapeutic discoveries.

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Microalgae n-3 PUFAs Production and Use in Food and Feed Industries

Marine Drugs ◽

10.3390/md19020113 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 113

Author(s):

Marine Remize ◽

Yves Brunel ◽

Joana L. Silva ◽

Jean-Yves Berthon ◽

Edith Filaire

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Global Warming ◽

Docosahexaenoic Acid ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Eicosapentaenoic Acid ◽

Human Health ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Epa And Dha ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

Food And Feed

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), and especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential compounds for human health. They have been proven to act positively on a panel of diseases and have interesting anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer properties. For these reasons, they are receiving more and more attention in recent years, especially future food or feed development. EPA and DHA come mainly from marine sources like fish or seaweed. Unfortunately, due to global warming, these compounds are becoming scarce for humans because of overfishing and stock reduction. Although increasing in recent years, aquaculture appears insufficient to meet the increasing requirements of these healthy molecules for humans. One alternative resides in the cultivation of microalgae, the initial producers of EPA and DHA. They are also rich in biochemicals with interesting properties. After defining macro and microalgae, this review synthesizes the current knowledge on n-3 PUFAs regarding health benefits and the challenges surrounding their supply within the environmental context. Microalgae n-3 PUFA production is examined and its synthesis pathways are discussed. Finally, the use of EPA and DHA in food and feed is investigated. This work aims to define better the issues surrounding n-3 PUFA production and supply and the potential of microalgae as a sustainable source of compounds to enhance the food and feed of the future.

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Identification of the Trichinella species by PCR method

Veterinarski glasnik ◽

10.2298/vetgl1202041v ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 66 (1-2) ◽

pp. 41-47

Author(s):

Sasa Vasilev ◽

Jelena Cvetkovic ◽

Ivana Radovic ◽

Ljiljana Sofronic-Milosavljevic

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Health Problem ◽

Continuous Monitoring ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Sylvatic Cycle ◽

Trichinella Infection ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Pcr Method ◽

Pig Meat

Serbia is country with a high prevalence of Trichinella infection in pigs, which continues to be a serious human health problem. In Serbia, only a few isolates of Trichinella found in pork have been genetically specified to date, and all were proven as T. spiralis. New data shows that in the sylvatic cycle in Serbia, at least in the Belgrade district, more than one Trichinella species co-exist (T. spiralis and T. britovi). Increased awareness of the possible overlap among sylvatic and domestic Trichinella cycles indicates the need for continuous monitoring of Trichinella species circulation and strongly points to the need that all isolates of Trichinella found in meat for human consumption should be subject to a determination of the Trichinella species (due to the risk of transmission of infection with T. britovi to domestic pigs and humans). This is why we examined using PCR the Trichinella larvae found in pig meat that caused a human outbreak (Trichinella infection) in Grocka (Belgrade district) during February 2011. The isolated larvae belonged to T. spiralis.

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Health-Promoting Phytonutrients Are Higher in Grass-Fed Meat and Milk

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems ◽

10.3389/fsufs.2020.555426 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Author(s):

Stephan van Vliet ◽

Frederick D. Provenza ◽

Scott L. Kronberg

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Red Meat ◽

Future Research ◽

Dairy Consumption ◽

Nutrient Density ◽

Nutritional Guidelines ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Anti Oxidant ◽

Anti Inflammatory

While commission reports and nutritional guidelines raise concerns about the effects of consuming red meat on human health, the impacts of how livestock are raised and finished on consumer health are generally ignored. Meat and milk, irrespective of rearing practices, provide many essential nutrients including bioavailable protein, zinc, iron, selenium, calcium, and/or B12. Emerging data indicate that when livestock are eating a diverse array of plants on pasture, additional health-promoting phytonutrients—terpenoids, phenols, carotenoids, and anti-oxidants—become concentrated in their meat and milk. Several phytochemicals found in grass-fed meat and milk are in quantities comparable to those found in plant foods known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and cardioprotective effects. As meat and milk are often not considered as sources of phytochemicals, their presence has remained largely underappreciated in discussions of nutritional differences between feedlot-fed (grain-fed) and pasture-finished (grass-fed) meat and dairy, which have predominantly centered around the ω-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. Grazing livestock on plant-species diverse pastures concentrates a wider variety and higher amounts of phytochemicals in meat and milk compared to grazing monoculture pastures, while phytochemicals are further reduced or absent in meat and milk of grain-fed animals. The co-evolution of plants and herbivores has led to plants/crops being more productive when grazed in accordance with agroecological principles. The increased phytochemical richness of productive vegetation has potential to improve the health of animals and upscale these nutrients to also benefit human health. Several studies have found increased anti-oxidant activity in meat and milk of grass-fed vs. grain-fed animals. Only a handful of studies have investigated the effects of grass-fed meat and dairy consumption on human health and show potential for anti-inflammatory effects and improved lipoprotein profiles. However, current knowledge does not allow for direct linking of livestock production practices to human health. Future research should systematically assess linkages between the phytochemical richness of livestock diets, the nutrient density of animal foods, and subsequent effects on human metabolic health. This is important given current societal concerns about red meat consumption and human health. Addressing this research gap will require greater collaborative efforts from the fields of agriculture and medicine.

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New Insights on the Effects of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Impaired Skin Healing in Diabetes and Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10102306 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 2306

Author(s):

Simona Serini ◽

Gabriella Calviello

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Healing Process ◽

Vascular Diseases ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Bioactive Metabolites ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

Skin Healing

Long-chain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFAs) are widely recognized as powerful negative regulators of acute inflammation. However, the precise role exerted by these dietary compounds during the healing process is still largely unknown, and there is increasing interest in understanding their specific effects on the implicated cells/molecular factors. Particular attention is being focused also on their potential clinical application in chronic pathologies characterized by delayed and impaired healing, such as diabetes and vascular diseases in lower limbs. On these bases, we firstly summarized the current knowledge on wound healing (WH) in skin, both in normal conditions and in the setting of these two pathologies, with particular attention to the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved. Then, we critically reviewed the outcomes of recent research papers investigating the activity exerted by Omega-3 PUFAs and their bioactive metabolites in the regulation of WH in patients with diabetes or venous insufficiency and showing chronic recalcitrant ulcers. We especially focused on recent studies investigating the mechanisms through which these compounds may act. Considerations on the optimal dietary doses are also reported, and, finally, possible future perspectives in this area are suggested.

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Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soils and commonly consumed food crops from quarry sites located at Isiagwu, Ebonyi State

Ovidius University Annals of Chemistry ◽

10.2478/auoc-2018-0002 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 8-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Uchechi Bliss Onyedikachi ◽

Donatus Chuka Belonwu ◽

Mattew Owhonda Wegwu

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Carcinogenic Risk ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Us Epa ◽

Bioaccumulation Index

Abstract In view of ensuring healthy agricultural foods for human consumption, this study assessed the human health risk implicated in selected heavy metals in some commonly consumed vegetables, tubers, nuts and fruits grown around the quarry sites at Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Samples from agriculture area of Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria, constituted the control. The concentration of Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd, and Pb, were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The potential non-carcinogenic health risk for consumers which included Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) for Pb, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd and Cu while carcinogenic health risk using Cancer Slope Factors (CSF) was established for Cd and Pb. Relative abundance of heavy metals across the locations and all samples was in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. There was statistical significant effect of quarrying activities on the concentration of the heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd) at p < 0.05 level. Based on the observed bioconcentration factors, cassava showed more hyperaccumulation potential compared to other samples. Pumpkin and bitter leaf also could be used in remediation owing to their high bioaccumulation index for Pb and Zn. THQ obtained for Mn and Pb were >1 indicating that the residents at the quarry site may be exposed to potential non-carcinogenic health risk due to Mn and Pb intoxication. With respect to US EPA prescriptions, average carcinogenic risk values obtained for Pb and Cd in this study indicated a lifetime (70 years) probability of contracting cancer suggesting that they be placed for further consideration as chemicals of concern with respect to the assessed locals.

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