Functional characters evaluation of biscuits sublimated with pure phycocyanin isolated from Spirulina and Spirulina biomass / Evaluación de las características funcionales de galletas sublimadas con ficocianina pura aislada a partir de espirulina y biomasa de espirulina

The aim of the present work is to study the effect of incorporation of biomass and phycocyanin extracts of Spirulina platensis growing in define media at large scales (300 liters, limited in nitrogen and high salinity) to traditional butter biscuits in order to increase general mental health as functional products, FPs). The FP were manufactured at a pilot scale formulated by adding algal biomass (0.3, 0.6 and 0.9%) and S. platensis phycocyanin (at 0.3%) to wheat flour and stored for one month at room temperature, protected from light and air. The approximate and nutrition composition of S. platensis biomass showed high quantity (% dry weight, dw.) of phycocyanin (13.51%, natural food colorant), tocopherols (0.43%), carotenoids (2.65%), vitamins C (1.25%), ω-6, ω-3 fatty acids, essential elements (Fe, Zn, Cr, Se, and others) and antioxidant compounds includes: total phenolic (1.73%), flavonoids (0.87%) and glutathione (0.245 mM). FPs showed a high oxidative stability during storage (30 days) periods (as assessed by antiradical scavenging activity of DPPH and TBA test), compared with that in untreated food products (control). Data of sensory evaluation revealed that FPs containing S. platensis biomass or algae extracts were significantly acceptable as control for main sensory characteristics (colour, odour/ aroma, flavor, texture, the global appreciation and overall acceptability). S. platensis FPs presented an accentuated green tonality, which increase with the quantity of added biomass. Thus, it could be concluded that functional biscuits had good sensory and nutritional profiles and can be developed as new niche food market (AU)

El objetivo del presente trabajo es el estudio del efecto de la incorporación de biomasa y extractos de ficocianina de Spirulina platensis cultivados en un entorno definido a gran escala (300 litros, limitado en nitrógeno y alta salinidad) en galletas de mantequilla tradicionales para aumentar la salud mental general con productos funcionales, PF). Los PF fueron elaborados con una formulación a escala piloto añadiendo biomasa de algas (0,3, 0,6 y 0,9%) y S. platensis ficocianina (al 0,3%) a la harina de trigo y después se almacenaron durante un mes a temperatura ambiente, protegidos de la luz y del aire. La composición aproximativa y nutricional de la biomasa de S. platensis mostró una elevada cantidad (% peso seco, dw.) de ficocianina (13,51%, colorante alimentario natural), tocoferoles (0,43%), carotenoides (2,65%), vitamina C (1,25%), -6, -3 ácidos grasos, elementos esenciales (Fe, Zn, Cr, Se, y otros), así como de compuestos antioxidantes, a saber, fenólico (1,73%), flavonoides (0,87%) y glutationa (0,245 mM) total. Los PF mostraron una alta estabilidad oxidativa durante los periodos de almacenamiento (30 días) (según la evaluación mediante actividad antirradical de pruebas DPPH y TBA), en comparación con la de los productos alimentarios no tratados (control). Los datos de evaluación sensorial revelaron que los PF que contienen biomasa S. platensis o extractos de algas fueron significativamente aceptables como control para las características sensoriales principales (color, olor/ aroma, sabor, textura, apreciación global y aceptabilidad global). Los PF S. platensis presentaron una acentuada tonalidad verde, que aumenta con la cantidad de biomasa añadida. Así, se podría concluir que las galletas funcionales presentan buenos perfiles sensoriales y nutritivos y que se podrían desarrollar como un nuevo nicho del mercado de la alimentación (AU)

Chitosomes as drug delivery systems for C-phycocyanin: preparation and characterization.

The aim of this work was to investigate chitosomes, i.e. liposomes coated by a polyelectrolyte complex between chitosan (CH) and xantan gum (XG), as potential delivery system for oral administration of the protein C-phycocyanin. To this purpose several CH-XG-microcomplexes were prepared in aqueous lactic acid at different chitosan-xanthan gum percent ratios and rheological properties of the microcomplexes were studied to analyse the contribution of chitosan and xanthan gum in the reaction of microcomplexation. After establishing the best microcomplexes, chitosomes were prepared by coating C-phycocyanin loaded liposomes with the CH-XG hydrogels using spray-drying or freeze-drying. The chitosomes were characterized in terms of morphology, size distribution, zeta potential, swelling properties, drug release, and mucoadhesive properties. Rheological studies showed the influence of xanthan gum in the microcomplex properties. Moreover, obtained results demonstrated the effects of formulation and process variables on particle size, drug content, swelling, drug release, and especially on the mucoadhesiveness of C-PC chitosomes of CH-XG. In particular, chitosomes prepared by spray-drying technique using CH-XG in 0.5/8.0 (w/w) ratio showed a regular surface and a drug release characteristic for a Fickian diffusion of the active ingredient. The in vitro mucoadhesive study revealed that the spray-drying method is advantageous to prepare C-phycocyanin loaded chitosomes with excellent mucoadhesive properties for colonic drug delivery.

Phycocyanin liposomes for topical anti-inflammatory activity: in-vitro in-vivo studies.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) on skin inflammation after topical administration and the influence of liposomal delivery on its pharmacokinetic properties. METHODS: Liposomes of different size and structure were prepared with different techniques using soy phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. Vesicular dispersions were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, optical and fluorescence microscopy for vesicle formation and morphology, dynamic laser light scattering for size distribution, and Zetasizer for zeta-potential. C-PC skin penetration and permeation experiments were performed in vitro using vertical diffusion Franz cells and human skin treated with either free or liposomal drug dispersed in a Carbopol gel. KEY FINDINGS: The protein was mainly localised in the stratum corneum, while no permeation of C-PC through the whole skin thickness was detected. Two percent C-PC-encapsulating liposomes showed the best drug accumulation in the stratum corneum and the whole skin, higher than that of the corresponding free 2% C-PC gel. Moreover, skin deposition of liposomal C-PC was dose dependent since skin accumulation values increased as the C-PC concentration in liposomes increased. The topical anti-inflammatory activity of samples was evaluated in vivo as inhibition of croton oil-induced or arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema in rats. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that C-PC can be successfully used as an anti-inflammatory drug and that liposomal encapsulation is effective in improving its anti-inflammatory activity.

Nuclear import of DNA in digitonin-permeabilized cells.

DNA can enter intact mammalian nuclei with varying degrees of efficiency in both transfected and microinjected cells, yet very little is known about the mechanism by which it crosses the nuclear membrane. Nucleocytoplasmic transport of fluorescently labeled DNA was studied using a digitonin-permeabilized cell system. DNA accumulated in the nucleus with a punctate staining pattern in over 80% of the permeabilized HeLa cells. Nuclear localization of the labeled DNA was energy dependent and occurred through the nuclear pore, but did not require the addition of soluble cytoplasmic protein factors necessary for protein import.

Phycocyanin: laser activation, cytotoxic effects, and uptake in human atherosclerotic plaque.

Phycocyanin is a phycobiliprotein with peak absorption at 620 nm. The laser activation, cytotoxic effects, and uptake into atherosclerotic plaque of phycocyanin was studied. Optimal activation was produced by argon dye laser at 0.5 W and a total energy dose of 300 J/cm2 at 620 nm and 650 nm, irradiated through blood with a hematocrit of 8%. Activation was evidenced by reduction of optical density by 0.3 units at 340 nm caused by oxidation of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in a buffered reaction solution containing 0.1 mg/ml of phycocyanin. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by measuring viability of mouse myeloma cells in culture after incubation with phycocyanin (0.25 mg/ml) and irradiated by 300 J/cm2 at 514 nm. After 72 hours post-treatment the cells showed 15% viability compared to 69% and 71% for control cells exposed to laser only or phycocyanin only, respectively. Atherosclerotic artery segments obtained within 5 hours postmortem were perfused with 0.1 mg/ml phycocyanin in oxygenated Krebs Ringer solution at 30 mm Hg for 5 minutes followed by washout with phycocyanin-free Krebs for 10 minutes. Artery sections examined histologically by light and fluorescence microscopy showed specific fluorescence localization within the plaque particularly at the elastic laminae and to a larger extent at the internal elastic lamina but not in the medial muscle layer. In conclusion, phycocyanin is a cytotoxic photosensitizer that exhibits specific binding to plaque and is activated at a wavelength minimally absorbed by blood. These properties suggest potential therapeutic use for plaque localization and regression.