scholarly journals Microalgae for High-Value Products Towards Human Health and Nutrition

Marine Drugs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Barkia ◽  
Nazamid Saari ◽  
Schonna R. Manning

Microalgae represent a potential source of renewable nutrition and there is growing interest in algae-based dietary supplements in the form of whole biomass, e.g., Chlorella and Arthrospira, or purified extracts containing omega-3 fatty acids and carotenoids. The commercial production of bioactive compounds from microalgae is currently challenged by the biorefinery process. This review focuses on the biochemical composition of microalgae, the complexities of mass cultivation, as well as potential therapeutic applications. The advantages of open and closed growth systems are discussed, including common problems encountered with large-scale growth systems. Several methods are used for the purification and isolation of bioactive compounds, and many products from microalgae have shown potential as antioxidants and treatments for hypertension, among other health conditions. However, there are many unknown algal metabolites and potential impurities that could cause harm, so more research is needed to characterize strains of interest, improve overall operation, and generate safe, functional products.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 3856
Author(s):  
Woojung Yang ◽  
Jae-woo Lee ◽  
Yonghwan Kim ◽  
Jong Hun Lee ◽  
Hee-Taik Kang

(1) Background: Omega-3 fatty acids (ω3FAs) are known to improve protein anabolism, increase the sensitivity to anabolic stimuli, decrease lipogenesis, and stimulate lipid oxidation. We aim to investigate whether ω3FAs are associated with the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity (SO). (2) Methods: Data were obtained from the 2014–2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The ratio of daily ω3FA intake to energy intake (ω3FA ratio) was categorized into four quartile groups. (3) Results: The prevalence of SO from Q1 to Q4 was 8.9%, 11.3%, 11.0%, and 9.8% respectively, in men and 17.4%, 14.0%, 13.9%, and 10.1% respectively, in women. The ω3FA ratio in individuals with and without SO were 1.0% and 0.9% in men (p-value = 0.271) respectively, and 0.8% and 1.0% in women (p-value = 0.017), respectively. Compared with Q1, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of Q2, Q3, and Q4 of ω3FA ratios were 1.563 (0.802–3.047), 1.246 (0.611–2.542), and 0.924 (0.458–1.864) respectively, in men and 0.663 (0.379–1.160), 0.640 (0.372–1.102), and 0.246 (0.113–0.534) respectively, in women, after fully adjusting for confounding factors. (4) Conclusions: The ω3FA ratio was significantly higher in older females without SO than in older females with SO. The ω3FA ratio was associated with the prevalence of SO in elderly females.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-474
Author(s):  
Le Thi Thanh Tra ◽  
Tran Quoc Toan ◽  
Dao Thi Kim Dung ◽  
Pham Quoc Long

Oysters could be found in seashore and estuarine areas and is regarded as a valuable export product with high economic value. In addition, the oysters could serve as an efficient assimilator of nutrients and potential source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), mainly omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to be responsible for a wide array of health benefits. In this paper, we report a process for the production of high phospholipid containing eicosanoids and soluble oligopeptides from the Oyster. sp. This result shows phospholipid layer containing high eicosanoids with 34.4% and soluble oligopeptides containing 8 essential acid amides. 19.53 g histidine per 100 g oligopeptides pointed out that hydrolyzed oysters are highly nutritional and valuable pharmacological products.


Molecules ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 415
Author(s):  
Stylianos Floros ◽  
Alexandros Toskas ◽  
Evagelia Pasidi ◽  
Patroklos Vareltzis

Modern dietary habits have created the need for the design and production of functional foods enriched in bioactive compounds for a healthy lifestyle. However, the fate of many of these bioactive compounds in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract has not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, in the present study, the bioaccessibility of omega-3 fatty acids was examined. To that end, different foods and supplements underwent simulated digestion following the INFOGEST protocol. The selected samples were foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids both in free and bound form—i.e., dietary fish oil supplements, heat-treated fish, and eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids. The oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was measured at each stage of the digestion process using peroxide value (PV) and TBARS and by quantifying individual omega-3 fatty acids using a gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The final bioaccessibility values of omega-3 fatty acids were determined. Changes in the quantity of mono-saturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were recorded as well. The results indicated a profound oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids, giving rise to both primary and secondary oxidation products. Additionally, stomach conditions seemed to exert the most significant effect on the oxidation of PUFAs during digestion, significantly decreasing their bioaccessibility. The oxidation rate of each fatty acid was found to be strongly correlated with its initial concentration. Finally, the oxidation pattern was found to be different for each matrix and emulsified lipids seemed to be better protected than non-emulsified lipids. It is concluded that digestion has a profound negative effect on omega-3 bioaccessibility and therefore there is a need for improved protective mechanisms.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian McAnany ◽  
Danik Martirosyan

Prevalence rates of Alzheimer’s disease are increasing in countries around world, and identifying effective treatments to manage cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration has become a global health priority. Decades of scientific research have developed a more comprehensive understanding of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a transitional stage of accelerated cognitive decline. This understanding has allowed researchers to envision novel Alzheimer’s Disease therapies, including the use of bioactive compounds found in plants and animals. Within the past 15 years, a significant amount of clinical research has been published documenting the effects specific bioactive compounds have on patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and MCI. This article reviews the results of this research, and discusses whether sufficient evidence exists to support the use of specific bioactive compounds by individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and MCI. Information on relevant epidemiological studies, outcome measures, and disease pathologies is provided to enrich this discussion. Keywords: Bioactive compounds, Alzheimer’s Disease, Mild cognitive impairment, Dementia, B vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, EPA, Fortasyn Connect, Souvenaid.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1800
Author(s):  
Alexandra Podpeskar ◽  
Roman Crazzolara ◽  
Gabriele Kropshofer ◽  
Benjamin Hetzer ◽  
Bernhard Meister ◽  
...  

Background: Malnutrition is common in children with cancer and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The need for supportive care is becoming ever more evident and the role of nutrition in oncology is still not sufficiently understood. In particular, the consequences of macro- and micronutrient deficiencies require further research. As epidemiological data suggest anti-tumoral properties of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), we reviewed the role of nutrition and n-3 supplementation in pediatric oncology. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed through 5 February 2021 to select meta-analyses, systematic reviews, observational studies, and individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on macro- and micronutrient supplementation in pediatric oncology. The search strategy included the following medical subject headings (MeSH) and keywords: “childhood cancer”, “pediatric oncology”, “nutritional status”, “malnutrition”, and “omega-3-fatty-acids”. The reference lists of all relevant articles were screened to include potentially pertinent studies. Results: We summarize evidence about the importance of adequate nutrition in childhood cancer and the role of n-3 PUFAs and critically interpret findings. Possible effects of supplementation on the nutritional status and benefits during chemotherapy are discussed as well as strategies for primary and secondary prevention. Conclusion: We here describe the obvious benefits of omega-3 supplementation in childhood cancer. Further large scale clinical trials are required to verify potential anti-cancer effects of n-3 fatty acids.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Lange ◽  
Yukiko Nakamura ◽  
Hui Zhao ◽  
Disi Bai ◽  
Haitao Wang

The hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in preventing and treating depression is based on correlative associations between fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acid intake and the prevalence of major depressive disorder. Reduced omega-3 fatty acid erythrocyte levels have been found in individuals with depressive disorders. These observational findings are unable to establish a causal relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and depression. The results of randomized controlled trials of omega-3 fatty acids for depressive disorders are inconclusive and also fail to prove causation. The therapeutic efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids appears to be moderate at best but is more likely to be minimal or non-existent. Potential long-term adverse effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation should be considered. Large-scale, well-controlled clinical trials are required to establish potential anti-depressive effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Such studies need to consider baseline values of omega-3 fatty acids and symptom severity, the dosage and types of the fatty acids used, the duration of supplementation and the concomitant use of medication. Conclusive evidence of the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in depression is currently lacking. The recommendation of potentially ineffective therapies may have considerable opportunity costs, with other possibly more useful treatments remaining unutilized.


Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (16) ◽  
pp. e1899-e1911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerrit L.J. Onderwater ◽  
Lannie Ligthart ◽  
Mariska Bot ◽  
Ayse Demirkan ◽  
Jingyuan Fu ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo identify a plasma metabolomic biomarker signature for migraine.MethodsPlasma samples from 8 Dutch cohorts (n = 10,153: 2,800 migraine patients and 7,353 controls) were profiled on a 1H-NMR-based metabolomics platform, to quantify 146 individual metabolites (e.g., lipids, fatty acids, and lipoproteins) and 79 metabolite ratios. Metabolite measures associated with migraine were obtained after single-metabolite logistic regression combined with a random-effects meta-analysis performed in a nonstratified and sex-stratified manner. Next, a global test analysis was performed to identify sets of related metabolites associated with migraine. The Holm procedure was applied to control the family-wise error rate at 5% in single-metabolite and global test analyses.ResultsDecreases in the level of apolipoprotein A1 (β −0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.16, −0.05; adjusted p = 0.029) and free cholesterol to total lipid ratio present in small high-density lipoprotein subspecies (HDL) (β −0.10; 95% CI −0.15, −0.05; adjusted p = 0.029) were associated with migraine status. In addition, only in male participants, a decreased level of omega-3 fatty acids (β −0.24; 95% CI −0.36, −0.12; adjusted p = 0.033) was associated with migraine. Global test analysis further supported that HDL traits (but not other lipoproteins) were associated with migraine status.ConclusionsMetabolic profiling of plasma yielded alterations in HDL metabolism in migraine patients and decreased omega-3 fatty acids only in male migraineurs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 441-453
Author(s):  
Nidhi Saiwal ◽  
Mandeep Dahiya ◽  
Harish Dureja

Background: The connection between food and good health is not a new concept. Vegetables are being used as a source of nutrition since long. Dietary active components are essential for the normal functioning of the human body. Methods: The study basically involves all the three categories of research methodologies, including analytic, descriptive and historical. It involves secondary data from scientific reports, books, and journals. Results: Vegetables can be considered as nutraceuticals since they supply bioactive compounds effective in decreasing the risk of many diseases. Vegetables are considered to be protective foods since they contain low calories and higher vitamins and minerals. Vegetables are potentially suitable against civilization diseases, which are caused by the lack of nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, zinc, cryptoxanthin, lycopene etc), and other micronutrients. Conclusion: The presence of bioactive compounds like phytochemicals offers nutraceutical values to vegetables. Nutraceutical rich vegetables have been established to have a role in gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and other diseases. Vegetables and fruits not only have the potential to stop the growth of disease but also can cure many diseases and boost the immune system.


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