Update on the application of magnetic fields to microalgal cultures.

Several studies have shown that any magnetic field (MF) applied to microalgae modifies its cultivation conditions and may favor biomolecule production since it interacts with the microorganisms and affect their growth. As a result, there are changes in concentrations and compositions of biomass and biomolecules. This review aims at updating MF applications to microalga cultures that were reported by studies conducted in the last 5 years. It shows the main studies that reached positive results of carbohydrate, lipid, protein and pigment production. Effects of MFs may be positive, negative or null, depending on some factors, such as intensity, exposure time, physiological state of cells and application devices. Therefore, this review details cultivation conditions used for reaching high concentration of biomolecules, explains the action of MFs on microalgae and describes their applicability to the biorefinery concept.

Magnetic fields exhibit a positive impact on lipid and biomass yield during phototrophic cultivation of Spirulina sp.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of magnetic field (MF) application (1, 12 and 24 h day -1) to Spirulina sp. LEB 18 in different photosynthesis cycles (dark and/or light) during short (15 days) and long periods (50 days) of cultivation. MF application was performed via two sources: ferrite magnets and solenoids. At the end of cultivation, the biomass was characterized in terms of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. In the 15 day cultures, the highest maximum biomass concentrations (2.06 g L-1 and 1.83 g L-1) were observed when 30 mT was applied for 24 h day -1 or 12 h day -1 (on the light cycle), respectively. MF application throughout cultivation (24 h day -1) for more than 30 days is not recommended. In all conditions, there was an increase in the lipid concentration (from 14 to 45%). The protein profile suggested important changes in photosystems I and II due to MF application. Cell morphology was not altered by MF application. In conclusion, the effects on the metabolism of Spirulina sp. are directly related to the photosynthesis cycle and time period in which the MF was applied.

A Review of the Latest Advances in Encrypted Bioactive Peptides from Protein-Rich Waste.

Bioactive peptides are considered the new generation of biologically active regulators that not only prevent the mechanism of oxidation and microbial degradation in foods but also enhanced the treatment of various diseases and disorders, thus increasing quality of life. This review article emphasizes recent advances in bioactive peptide technology, such as: (i) new strategies for transforming bioactive peptides from residual waste into added-value products; (ii) nanotechnology for the encapsulation, protection and release of controlled peptides; and (iii) use of techniques of large-scale recovery and purification of peptides aiming at future applications to pharmaceutical and food industries.

Colour stability and antioxidant activity of C-phycocyanin-added ice creams after in vitro digestion.

C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is a protein with bioactive properties, which is found mainly in cyanobacteria and that is used as a natural food dye. Even though it is extensively studied, few authors have reported C-PC's colour stability and antioxidant activity when applied to food matrices. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the colour stability over time and the antioxidant capacity of a food grade C-PC extract applied to milk-based ice creams. The C-PC-added ice creams showed insignificant colour loss during 182 d. Regarding antioxidant activity, the C-PC-added ice creams presented low ABTS●+ and peroxyl radicals scavenging capacities before in vitro simulated digestion. However, after in vitro digestion, the ice creams with C-PC extract addition showed antioxidant capacities of 134.63 ± 15.68 and 1425.19 ± 54.93 µmolTE.g-1 by the ORAC and ABTS methods, values 2- and 13-fold higher than the achieved by the controls, respectively. Thus, the results demonstrate that C-PC extract can be applied as a stable blue dye in ice creams and highlight the increased antioxidant activity of the C-PC-added products after in vitro simulated digestion, which can encourage the formulation of food products that attract consumers' attention for both their colour and biological activities.

Application of Static Magnetic Fields on the Mixotrophic Culture of Chlorella minutissima for Carbohydrate Production.

Magnetic field (MF) can interact with the metabolism of microalgae and has an effect (positive or negative) on the synthesis of molecules. In addition to MF, the use of pentose as a carbon source for cultivating microalgae is an alternative to increase carbohydrate yield. This study aimed at evaluating the MF application on the mixotrophic culture of Chlorella minutissima in order to produce carbohydrates. MF of 30 mT was generated by ferrite magnets and applied diurnally for 12 days. The addition of 5% pentose, MF application of 30 mT, and nitrogen concentration reduced (1.25 mM of KNO3) was the best conditions to obtain higher carbohydrate concentrations. MF application of 30 mT increased biomass and carbohydrate contents in 30% and 163.1%, respectively, when compared with the assay without MF application. The carbohydrate produced can be used for bioethanol production.

Cell pretreatment with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid for selective extraction of C-phycocyanin with food grade purity.

C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is a natural blue dye, and depending on its purity, which is measured by the ratio between the absorbance of the chromophore (A620 ) and the absorbance of the proteins (A280 ), it can be used in food (purity > 0.7), cosmetics (purity > 1.5), and therapeutic treatments (purity > 4.0). Several physical, chemical, and enzymatic methods of extraction are reported, however, few are able to extract C-PC with purity above 0.7. An innovative method of C-PC extraction with food grade purity from wet Spirulina platensis biomass is proposed. The cells were pretreated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and subsequent C-PC extraction was performed with tris-(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane-SO4 buffer. C-PC was released after 12 h of cell pretreatment. Six variables of the extraction process were evaluated. The extraction temperature significantly influenced C-PC extraction yield and purity. In the best condition of cell pretreatment and extraction, C-PC with purity of 1.0 and extraction yield of 129.0 mg/g could be obtained to be used as a food dye without any purification process. Lastly, an ultrafiltration process was integrated and C-PC was concentrated 8.8-fold, resulting in purity of 1.6 and recovery of 93.4%.

Interference of salts used on aqueous two-phase systems on the quantification of total proteins.

In this study the interference of potassium phosphate, sodium citrate, sodium chloride and sodium nitrate salts on protein quantification by Bradford's method was assessed. Potassium phosphate and sodium citrate salts are commonly used in aqueous two-phase systems for enzyme purification. Results showed that the presence of potassium phosphate and sodium citrate salts increase the absorbance of the samples, when compared with the samples without any salt. The increase in absorptivity of the solution induces errors on protein quantification, which are propagated to the calculations of specific enzyme activity and consequently on purification factor. The presence of sodium chloride and sodium nitrate practically did not affect the absorbance of inulinase, probably the metals present in the enzyme extract did not interact with the added salts.

Purification of carbonic anhydrase from bovine erythrocytes and its application in the enzymic capture of carbon dioxide.

This work presents a study of industrially applicable techniques to obtain a biologically supported carbon dioxide capture system, based on the extraction of carbonic anhydrase from bovine blood. Carbonic anhydrase is a metalloenzyme which catalyzes the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide. The objective of this study was to establish conditions to obtain carbonic anhydrase from bovine erythrocytes and apply it in the capture of carbon dioxide. To achieve this, two different purification techniques were evaluated: one by extraction with the organic solvents chloroform and ethanol, where different solvent proportions were studied; and the other by ammonium sulfate precipitation, testing percent saturations between 10% and 80%. Carbon dioxide was enzymatically captured by its precipitation as calcium carbonate with the enzyme obtained by both techniques. The enzyme extracted by ethanol and chloroform showed an activity of 2623 U mL(-1), recovery of 98% and purification factor of 104-fold. That precipitated by ammonium sulfate showed an activity of 2162 U mL(-1), recovery of 66% and purification factor of 1.4-fold using 60% ammonium sulfate saturation. The results obtained in the carbon dioxide capture experiments showed that the carbonic anhydrase extracted in this study not only enhanced the hydration of CO(2), but also promoted the formation of CaCO(3).