The need for nutritional sources safer than traditional animal products has renewed interest generally in plants and particularly in microalgae. Microalgae have diverse uses in aquaculture, their applications are mainly to provide nutrition and to enhance the colour of the flesh of salmonids. The larvae of molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans as well as some fish larvae feed on microalgae. Several studies have confirmed that a live multi-specific, low bacterial and microalgal biomass remains essential for shellfish hatcheries. Major advances are expected from new production system, designs and operations from batch run open tanks to more sophisticated continuously-run and closed loop reactors. Currently, studies are underway to examine the cost-effectiveness of the on-and off-site microalgal production systems which can only be achieved by substantial scaling-up and improved quality control. In order to attain sustainability in the usage of microalgae, a systems-based approach is required which integrates different fields such as biotechnology, bioprocess and management procedures.

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The aim of this study was to analyze if the 2-pyrrolidinone rich fraction of Brassica oleracea var. capitata exhibiting antioxidant and in vitro anticancer activities. 2-Pyrrolidinone is an active compound present in Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Our findings explored the potential use of 2-pyrrolidinone in cancer treatment. This compound was identified and isolated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography from the leaf of Brassica oleracea var. capitata. The resultant rich active compound exhibited in vitro cytotoxicity in HeLa and PC-3 human cancer cell lines, and it also exhibited antioxidant activity in cell free assays. DAPI staining, an apoptotic analysis and cell cycle analysis were performed to evaluate the anticancer activity of 2-pyrrolidinone against the above cell lines. The IC50 value of 2-pyrrolidinone was determined to be of 2.5 µg/ml for HeLa, 3 µg/ml for PC-3 cells at 24 h and 1.5 µg/ml for HeLa and 2 µg/ml for PC-3 cells at 48 h, respectively. However, cell cycle analysis revealed that the anti-proliferative effects of the 2-pyrrolidinone were mediated through cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. These results from the current study suggest that the 2-pyrrolidinone have potential anticancer effects, which will lead to the development of new anticancer agents for arresting cancer cells growth in vitro.

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