Variation of Spirulina maxima biomass production in different depths of urea-used culture medium

Fewer studies have assessed the outdoor cultivation of Spirulina maxima compared with S. platensis, although the protein content of S. maxima is higher than S. platensis. Spirulina growth medium requires an increased amount of NaHCO3, Na2CO3, and NaNO3, which increases the production cost. Therefore, the current study used a low-cost but high-efficiency biomass production medium (Medium M-19) after testing 33 different media. The medium depth of 25 cm (group A) was sub-divided into A1 (50% cover with a black curtain (PolyMax, 12 oz ultra-blackout), A2 (25% cover), and A3 (no cover). Similarly the medium depths of 30 and 35 cm were categorized as groups B (B1, B2, and B3) and C (C1, C2, and C3), respectively, and the effects of depth and surface light availability on growth and biomass production were assessed. The highest biomass production was 2.05 g L-1 in group A2, which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in all other groups and sub-groups. Spirulina maxima died in B1 and C1 on the fifth day of culture. The biochemical composition of the biomass obtained from A2 cultures, including protein, carbohydrate, lipid, moisture, and ash, was 56.59%, 14.42%, 0.94%, 5.03%, and 23.02%, respectively. Therefore, S. maxima could be grown outdoors with the highest efficiency in urea-enriched medium at a 25-cm medium depth with 25% surface cover or uncovered.

The Effect of Chemical Peeling on the Dermal Connective Tissue in Facial Wrinkles of Patients with Leprosy

BACKGROUND: Redundant and wrinkled face is a common finding in patients with long-standing leprosy, which is responsible for the appearance of premature aging. Chemical peeling plays a role in dermal regeneration in the treatment of wrinkles. However, the effect of chemical peeling has rarely been studied in patients with leprosy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of chemical peeling on dermal connective tissue components and clinical improvement of facial wrinkles in patients with leprosy. METHODS: Five patients with clinically and bacteriologically inactive lepromatous leprosy were treated with 70% glycolic acid plus 35% trichloroacetic acid (GA-TCA). Histologic and clinical changes were evaluated at 0 and 90 days postpeel. RESULTS: Histologically, collagen fibers and ground substance increased significantly but elastic fibers did not change at 90 days postepeel. Clinically, fine wrinkles improved considerably, whereas most deep wrinkles remained unchanged at day 90. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that chemical peeling with GA-TCA, or medium-depth peeling, causes an increase in collagen and ground substance but not in elastic fibers. These changes result in limited clinical improvement in the facial wrinkles of leprosy patients. Therefore, medium-depth chemical peeling may be insufficient to improve the premature aging appearance in patients with leprosy.