338
J. Jeevanandam et al.
cancers, protects against life menacing diseases, including different forms of cancer
(Rock 1997; Albanes et al. 1997; Tornwall et al. 2004). Certain carotenoids including
astaxanthins also reduce the risk and progression of cancers. In particular, Dunaliella
extracted β-carotene have 40% of 9-cis and 50% of all-trans stereoisomers that helps
them in lowering the risks of certain cancers and degenerative diseases (Ausich 1992;
Sandmann 2001).
The antioxidative properties of carotenoids allow them to protect brain cells from
getting deteriorated and hence, prevents the process of aging. The specific role played
by β-carotene in stimulating the immune system also prevent several other diseases
such as cancers, premature aging, and arthritis. Additionally, β-carotene declines the
memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease by acting as a better antioxidant to facilitate
brain cells to survive (Mattson 2004). Further, a detailed health aid of β-carotene
is investigated in in vivo models. Cognitive impairment was found to be prevented,
when transgenic mice fed with β-carotene and lutein of Chlorella sp. (Nakashima
et al. 2009). Furthermore, extracts of C. ellipsoidea and C. vulgaris containing
β-carotene prevented development of colon cancer (Plaza et al. 2009). D. salina
extracted β-carotene has been commercialized by an Australian company named
Western Biotechnology, since 1986. Similarly, huge quantities of β-carotene are
produced in India from cyanobacteria. Microalgal carotenoids are good competitors
of synthetic carotenoid forms as they provide superior natural isomers, compared
to the synthetic form. Along with carotene, other carotenoids help in decreasing the
premenopausal cancer prevalence in the breast; cryptoxanthin lowers the chances
of cervical cancer. Lycopene can reduce the menace of prostate and digestive tract
cancers. Additionally, combination of β-carotene, lycopene, vitamin E, and C help
the patients under cancer therapy in developing immunity. Lycopene with β-carotene
helps in preventing coronary heart disease by inhibiting the harmful cholesterol and
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) formation. Lycopene also reduces the risk of type II
diabetes with β-carotene and cryptoxanthin. Oxygenated carotenoids (Xanthophyll)
obtained from Dunaliella sp., have better anticancer properties and high bioactivity
(Roodenburg et al. 2000). Lutein and Zeaxanthin inhibits the harmful UV radiations from sun and prevent loss of vision. Also, these carotenoids protect skin from
photooxidation and hence can be used as nutraceutical or cosmetic ingredients that
prevent oxidative stress-related diseases.
14.3.4 Phycobiliproteins
Phycobiliproteins (PBS), belongs to the family of water soluble, brilliantly colored,
primary protein pigments in microalgal species (Glazer 1994). These pigments are
arranged as macromolecular phycobilisomes complexes and are devoted to the outer
thylakoid membrane surface for photosynthesis (Hemlata and Fatma 2009). These
pigments constitute up to 50% of the soluble protein and comprise about 20% of
the cell dry weight (Grossman et al. 1993). Bluish green allophycocyanin, bluish
phycocyanin, purple colored phycoerythrin, and orange colored phycoerythrocyanin
J. Jeevanandam et al.
cancers, protects against life menacing diseases, including different forms of cancer
(Rock 1997; Albanes et al. 1997; Tornwall et al. 2004). Certain carotenoids including
astaxanthins also reduce the risk and progression of cancers. In particular, Dunaliella
extracted β-carotene have 40% of 9-cis and 50% of all-trans stereoisomers that helps
them in lowering the risks of certain cancers and degenerative diseases (Ausich 1992;
Sandmann 2001).
The antioxidative properties of carotenoids allow them to protect brain cells from
getting deteriorated and hence, prevents the process of aging. The specific role played
by β-carotene in stimulating the immune system also prevent several other diseases
such as cancers, premature aging, and arthritis. Additionally, β-carotene declines the
memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease by acting as a better antioxidant to facilitate
brain cells to survive (Mattson 2004). Further, a detailed health aid of β-carotene
is investigated in in vivo models. Cognitive impairment was found to be prevented,
when transgenic mice fed with β-carotene and lutein of Chlorella sp. (Nakashima
et al. 2009). Furthermore, extracts of C. ellipsoidea and C. vulgaris containing
β-carotene prevented development of colon cancer (Plaza et al. 2009). D. salina
extracted β-carotene has been commercialized by an Australian company named
Western Biotechnology, since 1986. Similarly, huge quantities of β-carotene are
produced in India from cyanobacteria. Microalgal carotenoids are good competitors
of synthetic carotenoid forms as they provide superior natural isomers, compared
to the synthetic form. Along with carotene, other carotenoids help in decreasing the
premenopausal cancer prevalence in the breast; cryptoxanthin lowers the chances
of cervical cancer. Lycopene can reduce the menace of prostate and digestive tract
cancers. Additionally, combination of β-carotene, lycopene, vitamin E, and C help
the patients under cancer therapy in developing immunity. Lycopene with β-carotene
helps in preventing coronary heart disease by inhibiting the harmful cholesterol and
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) formation. Lycopene also reduces the risk of type II
diabetes with β-carotene and cryptoxanthin. Oxygenated carotenoids (Xanthophyll)
obtained from Dunaliella sp., have better anticancer properties and high bioactivity
(Roodenburg et al. 2000). Lutein and Zeaxanthin inhibits the harmful UV radiations from sun and prevent loss of vision. Also, these carotenoids protect skin from
photooxidation and hence can be used as nutraceutical or cosmetic ingredients that
prevent oxidative stress-related diseases.
14.3.4 Phycobiliproteins
Phycobiliproteins (PBS), belongs to the family of water soluble, brilliantly colored,
primary protein pigments in microalgal species (Glazer 1994). These pigments are
arranged as macromolecular phycobilisomes complexes and are devoted to the outer
thylakoid membrane surface for photosynthesis (Hemlata and Fatma 2009). These
pigments constitute up to 50% of the soluble protein and comprise about 20% of
the cell dry weight (Grossman et al. 1993). Bluish green allophycocyanin, bluish
phycocyanin, purple colored phycoerythrin, and orange colored phycoerythrocyanin