Nutraceutical properties and health benefits of bioactive molecules derived from Spirulina enriched functional food

Immunomodulation, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition, anti-oxidative effects are just a few examples of the different biological activities suggested for metabolites from Arthrospira platensis, better known as ‘Spirulina platensis’ [1] [2]. Therefore, this micro-alga in considered a super-food. The aim of our study was to characterize different foods enriched with Spirulina (i.e. sorbets and pasta) in terms of amount of alga actually incorporated and of its effective bioavailability, since the efficacy of such products as a source of bioactive compounds is strictly dependent on these parameters. The first step was the study of the Spirulina matrix in order to identify the most relevant metabolites. Therefore, we proceeded developing an extraction method suitable to obtain a representative extract, which was subjected to a liquid chromatography separation coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry analysis (hrLC-MS/MS). A number of compounds, covering a large chemical space were identified (i.e. atty acids (linoleic and gamma linoleic acid), pheoforbides and derivates and monogalactosil monoacylglycerol and derivates) to which different health benefits have been attributed [3]. We also identified proteins and peptides playing an important role in beneficial effects on human health; in fact, the amino acid composition suggests the existence of significant peptides encrypted within the sequences of parent proteins -mainly phycocianins [4]. Most of the active metabolites and peptides were detected also in the analyzed functional foods, thus confirming their suitability as nutraceutics. However, some interesting differences emerged from our analyses, which should be taken into account to generate more effective healthy products.

• References

• 1 Doucha et al. 2009
• 2 Richmond et al. 2005
• 3 Capelli et al. 2010
• 4 Bamdad et al. 2013

Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021