Obtaining Bioproducts from the Studies of Signals and Interactions between Microalgae and Bacteria.

The applications of microalgae biomass have been widely studied worldwide. The classical processes used in outdoor cultivations of microalgae, in closed or open photobioreactors, occur in the presence of bacteria. Understanding how communication between cells occurs through quorum sensing and evaluating co-cultures allows the production of microalgae and cyanobacteria to be positively impacted by bacteria, in order to guarantee safety and profitability in the production process. In addition, the definition of the effects that occur during an interaction, promotes insights to improve the production of biomolecules, and to develop innovative products. This review presents the interactions between microalgae and bacteria, including compounds exchanges and communication, and addresses the development of new pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food bioproducts from microalgae based on these evaluations, such as prebiotics, vegan skincare products, antimicrobial compounds, and culture media with animal free protein for producing vaccines and other biopharmaceutical products. The use of microalgae as raw biomass or in biotechnological platforms is in line with the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fresh pasta production enriched with Spirulina platensis biomass

The aim of this work was to study the enrichment of Spirulina platensis in wheat flour to prepare fresh pasta to evaluate the green color and nutritional enrichment in addition to functional properties due to the presence of the bioactive compounds in the cyanobacterium. The pastas were evaluated for the centesimal composition, microbiological contamination, sensorial acceptance and technological characteristics such as cooking time, water absorption, volume displacement and loss of solids. The superior protein contents and the satisfactory technological and sensorial attributes compared with the control with no cyanobacterium showed the usefulness of incorporating S. platensis biomass in the fresh pastas. The microbiological quality was in compliance with the legislation in force. The sensorial quality was considered satisfactory (“liked very much”) and purchase intention high (“probably would buy”).

Growth and content of Spirulina platensis biomass chlorophyll cultivated at different values of light intensity and temperature using different nitrogen sources

The effects of light intensity and temperature in S. platensis cultivation with potassium nitrate or urea as nitrogen source were investigated, as well as the biomass chlorophyll contents of this cyanobacteria, through the Response Surface Methodology. Experiments were performed at temperatures from 25 to 34.5ºC and light intensities from 15 to 69 µmol photons m-2 s-1, in mineral medium. In cultivations with both sources of nitrogen, KNO3 and urea, statistic evaluation through multiple regression, no interactions of such independent variables were detected in the results of the dependent variables maximum cell concentration, chlorophyll biomass contents, cell and chlorophyll productivities, as well as in the nitrogen-cell conversion factor. In cultivation performed with both sources of nitrogen, it was possible to obtain satisfactory adjustments to relate the dependent variables to the independent variables. The best results were achieved at temperature of 30ºC, at light intensity of 60 µmol photons m-2s-1, for cell growth, with cell productivity of approximately 95 mg L-1 d-1 in cultivations with urea. For the chlorophyll biomass content, the most adequate light intensity was 24 µmol photons m-2 s-1.