HPLC-PDA-MS/MS as a strategy to characterize and quantify natural pigments from microalgae

Abstract

Interest in pigment composition of microalgae species is growing as new natural pigments sources are being sought. However, we still have a limited number of species of microalgae exploited to obtain these compounds. Considering these facts, the detailed composition of carotenoids and chlorophylls of two species of green microalgae ( Chlorella sorokiniana and Scenedesmus bijuga ) were determined for the first time by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC-PDA-MS/MS). A total of 17 different carotenoids were separated in all the extracts. Most of the carotenoids present in the two microalgae species are xanthophylls. C. sorokiniana presented 11 carotenoids (1408.46 μg g −1 ), and S. bijuga showed 16 carotenoids (1195.75 μg g −1 ). The main carotenoids detected in the two microalgae were all- trans -lutein and all- trans -β-carotene. All- trans -lutein was substantially higher in C. sorokiniana (59.01%), whereas all- trans -β-carotene was detected in higher quantitative values in S. bijuga (13.88%). Seven chlorophyll compounds were identified in both strains with different proportions in each species. Concentrations of chlorophyll representing 7.6% and 10.2% of the composition of the compounds present in the biomass of C. sorokiniana and S. bijuga , respectively. Relevant chlorophyll compounds are reported for the first time in these strains. The data obtained provide significant insights for microalgae pigment composition databases.

Marine Algae-Derived Bioactive Compounds: A New Wave of Nanodrugs?

“…It is worth mentioning that nanoformulations vary according to chemical, biochemical, and physicochemical properties of nanomaterials (e.g., particle size and surface area) [ 3 , 4 , 10 , 14 , 17 , 19 ]. The enhanced biological and catalytic activity, mechanical property, melting point, optical absorption, and thermal and electrical conductivity of NPs have attracted much attention for their use as nanomedicines (e.g., in the treatment, diagnosis, monitoring, and control of biological systems) [ 1 , 10 , 18 ].…”

“…Physicochemical synthesis of NPs is often cumbersome and costly with the release of harmful by-products, posing a high risk to living systems [ 1 , 10 , 17 ]. Therefore, the fountainhead of nanobiotechnology is focused on the fabrication of structurally well-defined, reproducibly synthesizable NPs from biodegradable and/or biocompatible materials such as lipids, polysaccharides, proteins, or peptides [ 7 , 18 , 19 , 21 ].…”

“…Recently, biological synthesis of NPs using bacteria, fungi, viruses, plants, and algae has emerged as a promising field [ 7 , 19 , 21 , 23 ] due to (i) the use of green energy for NPs assembly, which subsequently overcomes the environmental toxicity; (ii) the large-scale synthesis; (iii) different biocompounds present in bio-organisms that help to obtain safe NPs of different morphology/shape, size distribution, composition, and stability; (iv) cost-effectiveness; and (v) versatile usage in a wide range of activities encompassing the cosmetics, theranostics, food, and textile fields.…”

“…Phyconanotechnology is becoming an exciting and upcoming area with greater scope in the synthesis of algae-based NPs [ 7 , 10 , 19 , 23 ]. Algae are remarkable aquatic, photosynthetic nanobiofactories, characterized by being (i) a major under-exploited reservoir of cost-effective bioactive compounds and (ii) an excellent choice to explore for applications in the renewable energy, food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries; with (iii) a high growth rate in sea water or controlled conditions, (iv) an ease of handling, and (v) a capacity to absorb/accumulate inorganic metallic ions; while being able to synthesize NPs in an eco-friendly, rapid, and healthier way [ 7 , 21 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Marine algae are classified into three major distinct classes based on the presence of specific pigments. Therefore, algae can be brown (Phaeophyta/Phaeophyceae, such as Sargassum polycystum , Padina pavonica , and Cystophora moniliformis ); blue-green (Cyanophyta/Cyanophyceae, such as Spirulina platensis , Chlorococcum humicola , and Chlorella vulgaris ); green (Chlorophyta/Chlorophyceae, such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , Ulva fasciata , and Gracilaria edulis ); or red (Rhodophyta/Rhodophyceae, such as Palmaria decipiens , Gelidiella acerosa , and Gracilaria corticata ) [ 3 , 7 , 19 , 21 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”