Trends and Technological Advancements in the Possible Food Applications of Spirulina and Their Health Benefits: A Review.

Spirulina is a kind of blue-green algae (BGA) that is multicellular, filamentous, and prokaryotic. It is also known as a cyanobacterium. It is classified within the phylum known as blue-green algae. Despite the fact that it includes a high concentration of nutrients, such as proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids-in particular, the necessary omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids-the percentage of total fat and cholesterol that can be found in these algae is substantially lower when compared to other food sources. This is the case even if the percentage of total fat that can be found in these algae is also significantly lower. In addition to this, spirulina has a high concentration of bioactive compounds, such as phenols, phycocyanin pigment, and polysaccharides, which all take part in a number of biological activities, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. As a result of this, spirulina has found its way into the formulation of a great number of medicinal foods, functional foods, and nutritional supplements. Therefore, this article makes an effort to shed light on spirulina, its nutritional value as a result of its chemical composition, and its applications to some food product formulations, such as dairy products, snacks, cookies, and pasta, that are necessary at an industrial level in the food industry all over the world. In addition, this article supports the idea of incorporating it into the food sector, both from a nutritional and health perspective, as it offers numerous advantages.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) as green extraction technology for high-value metabolites of algae, its potential trends in food and human health.

Application of high-value algal metabolites (HVAMs) in cosmetics, additives, pigments, foods and medicines are very important. These HVAMs can be obtained from the cultivation of micro- and macro-algae. These metabolites can benefit human and animal health in a physiological and nutritional manner. However, because of conventional extraction methods and their energy and the use of pollutant solvents, the availability of HVAMs from algae remains insufficient. Receiving their sustainability and environmental benefits have recently made green extraction technologies for HVAM extractions more desirable. But very little information is available about the technology of green extraction of algae from these HVAM. This review, therefore, highlights the supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) as principal green extraction technologyand theirideal parameters for extracting HVAMs. In first, general information is provided concerning the HVAMs and their components of macro and micro origin. The review also includes a description of SCFE technology's properties, instrumentation operation, solvents used, and the merits and demerits. Moreover, there are several HVAMs associated with their numerous high-level biological activities which include high-level antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial activity and have potential health-beneficial effects in humans since they are all HVAMs, such as foods and nutraceuticals. Finally, it provides future insights, obstacles, and suggestions for selecting the right technologies for extraction.

Unmasking the Many Faces of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia L.): A Fresh Look on its Phytochemical and Medicinal Properties.

BACKGROUND: Plants have been used to treat health disorders and prevent diseases since antiquity in all civilizations including the Indian and Chinse. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Indian folk medicine and is commonly known as the "Heart-leaved Moonseed" or "Guduchi". Giloy is a perennial shrubby creeper of the Menispermaceae family. It is native to the tropical areas of India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Sothern Eastern Asia, Africa, and Australia. It attracted attention in the last few decades because its roots, stems, and leaves are used in folk medicine treating several disorders. METHODS: To reveal its potential, we reviewed the literature on this plant over the last five decades using several search engines. RESULTS: Giloy is recommended in diabetes, stomachache, jaundice, urinary problems, skin ailments, and prolonged diarrhea and dysentery. The medicinal properties of T. cordifolia extracts were attributed to its phytochemical content including steroids, alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, and glycosides. CONCLUSION: In this review, we summarized the phytochemical content of T. cordifolia and its medicinal properties with special emphasis on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities. We aimed to provide natural product researchers with a full picture of the potential applications of this plant in the development of food additives and nutraceuticals.