Chapter 10
Analytical Protocols in the Measurement
of Pigments’ Bioavailability
Anna Rafaela Cavalcante Braga and Veridiana Vera de Rosso
Abstract Microalgae have been recognized as the foundation of the food chain
in aquatic ecosystems and one of the most prominent characteristics of algae is
their color, which is determined by their pigments, hence, microalgal biomass is
attracting worldwide attention. These pigments are colorful chemical substances
that are part of the photosynthetic system of microalgae and are distinguished into
three classes: carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phycobiliproteins. Besides the color,
pigments have health-promoting properties and a broad range of potential industrial applications. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the correlation
between diet, health, and disease prevention. Despite the beneficial properties of
pigments provided by microalgae, their effectiveness at preventing a range of diseases
depends on their bioaccessibility and bioavailability. The digestion process comprises
several steps, which promotes an intense variation of the conditions that the pigments
are exposed, and therefore, could in several ways compromises the health benefits
caused by microalgae pigment consumption. Therefore, the present chapter aims to
present the main methods used to assess the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of
pigments from microalgae to better understand the processes involved. Consequently,
providing information about the most accepted analytical protocols in measurement
of bioavailability of pigments.
A. R. C. Braga
Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua São
Nicolau 201, Diadema, São Paulo, CEP 09972-270, Brazil
e-mail: anna.braga@unifesp.br
A. R. C. Braga · V. V. de Rosso (B)
Department of Bioscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim 136,
Santos, São Paulo, CEP 11015-02, Brazil
e-mail: veridiana.rosso@unifesp.br
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
E. Jacob-Lopes et al. (eds.), Pigments from Microalgae Handbook,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50971-2_10
229
Analytical Protocols in the Measurement
of Pigments’ Bioavailability
Anna Rafaela Cavalcante Braga and Veridiana Vera de Rosso
Abstract Microalgae have been recognized as the foundation of the food chain
in aquatic ecosystems and one of the most prominent characteristics of algae is
their color, which is determined by their pigments, hence, microalgal biomass is
attracting worldwide attention. These pigments are colorful chemical substances
that are part of the photosynthetic system of microalgae and are distinguished into
three classes: carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phycobiliproteins. Besides the color,
pigments have health-promoting properties and a broad range of potential industrial applications. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the correlation
between diet, health, and disease prevention. Despite the beneficial properties of
pigments provided by microalgae, their effectiveness at preventing a range of diseases
depends on their bioaccessibility and bioavailability. The digestion process comprises
several steps, which promotes an intense variation of the conditions that the pigments
are exposed, and therefore, could in several ways compromises the health benefits
caused by microalgae pigment consumption. Therefore, the present chapter aims to
present the main methods used to assess the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of
pigments from microalgae to better understand the processes involved. Consequently,
providing information about the most accepted analytical protocols in measurement
of bioavailability of pigments.
A. R. C. Braga
Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua São
Nicolau 201, Diadema, São Paulo, CEP 09972-270, Brazil
e-mail: anna.braga@unifesp.br
A. R. C. Braga · V. V. de Rosso (B)
Department of Bioscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim 136,
Santos, São Paulo, CEP 11015-02, Brazil
e-mail: veridiana.rosso@unifesp.br
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
E. Jacob-Lopes et al. (eds.), Pigments from Microalgae Handbook,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50971-2_10
229