Spirulina platensis biomass cultivated in Southern Brazil as a source of essential minerals and other nutrients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine elemental constituent of microalgal biomass Spirulina platensis LEB-18 grown on the shores of Mangueira Lagoon, South of Brazil. The spread of inoculum was performed in standard Zarrouk medium. When the microalgae concentration reached 0.50 g L-1 , the biomass was separated by filtration and dried in a tray dryer at 50°C for 5 h. The harvested biomass was then ground in a ball mill, sieved to achieve a particle size of 88 µm (~ 300 mg) in triplicate, digested with concentrated HNO 3 and diluted with up to 5% HNO 3 for subsequent quantification. Mineral content was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry with axial view and other nutrients by standard methods. Among the macro minerals, in μg g-1 ± standard deviation, calcium (15.108±529), sodium (14.6552±485) and potassium (14.036±109) were found in the largest amount. The micro mineral present in greater quantity, in μg g-1 ± standard deviation, was the iron (956±9) and nutrients present in the following order: protein (58.5%), ash (12.0%), carbohydrate (7.5%), lipid (7.0%) and crude fiber (0.95%). Results were compared with the values of minerals for human consumption recommended by the Food and Drug Administration and also with the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of minerals by Brazilian Legislation. The findings proved promising for the use of S. platensis strain LEB-18 as an alternative source of essential minerals and other nutrients for the human body.

Availability and Nutritive Value of Spirulina (<i>Arthrospira fusiformis</i>) from Arenguade and Chitu Lakes of Rift Valley of Ethiopia and Farmers’ Perception about Its Utilization

“…It was revealed that the fiber content in Spirulina varied from 4% to 7%; the results of the present study fall within this range, but very close to the lower range [40]. However, crude fiber content in S. platensis was reported as 0.5% which is extremely lower than the values obtained in this study [41]; and a fiber content of Spirulina ranging from 8% to 10% was also reported which is again much higher than the values in this study [42]. The ash content of Spirulina in this study was higher than that of the reference feeds.…”

Nutritional Composition of Spirulina Platensis Powder and Its Acceptability in Food Products.

“…Similar results in Spirulina powder were also reported by (Vijayarani et al, 2012;Bensehaila et al, 2015;Ghaly et al, 2015;Salmeàn et al, 2015). Moreira et al, (2013) reported that calcium, sodium and potassium are the major minerals in Spirulina powder. They also reported that iron and calcium are readily absorbed in Spirulina as compared to other plant foods.…”

Effects of Irradiance and Different Nitrogen and Carbon Concentrations on the Minerals Accumulation in Scenedesmus obliquus Biomass

“…Sodium, normally found in foods in the form of Sodium Chloride (NaCl), is an essential mineral for the correct function of the human body. However, it is known that the high consumption of this mineral may trigger body disorders, as such cardiovascular disease and increased blood pressure [21].…”