5 Microalgae Production in Fresh Market Wastewater …
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These natural photosynthetic pigments are usually used in food products and pharmaceuticals industry due to its anti-inflammatory, wound healing and calcium oxalate
controlling properties (Ferruzzi and Blakeslee 2007).
Phycobiliproteins pigment can usually be found in cyanobacteria and are deep
coloured, water soluble and fluorescent. The examples are phycocyanin in Spirulina
and Aphanizomeni flos-aquae (blue-green algae) (Gouveia et al. 2008). According to
Pandey et al. (2014), phycobiliproteins have several characteristics such as antioxidants properties, anti- inflammatory and hepatoprotective observed from in vivo
and in vitro study. These pigments are also used in clinical diagnostics as sensitive
fluorescent indicators, as a natural colourant in cosmetics and nutrition, and in food
products such as chewing gums, candies, dairy products, ice creams and refreshments
(Gouveia et al. 2008).
Astaxanthin is a natural pigment that contains a powerful antioxidant that is
more effective compared to vitamin C, E and other carotenoids such as β-carotene,
lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. According to Mata et al. (2010), the astaxanthin
content in Haematococcus pluvialis is between 1.5 and 3.0% of dry matter. The
benefits of these pigments are as anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing properties in both humans and animals. The same study also indicates that this pigment is
commonly used in fish feed specifically for salmon feeds (Mata et al. 2010).
Carotenoids which are synthesized de novo primarily by photosynthetic organisms
are naturally occurring pigments that have the ability to act as pro-vitamin A and
contained in microalgae at the level 0.1–0.2% of dry matter (Becker 1993). Previous
study by Gouveia et al. (2008) indicated that a diet rich in carotenoids may reduce
the risk of having diseases involving free radicals such as atherosclerosis and cancer.
According to Spolaore et al. (2006), β-carotene from Dunaliella salina has content
up to 14% of dry matter. β-Carotene can be used in foods such as cheese and butter
or margarine.
Microalgae are also an important source of vitamins such as tocopherols, ascorbic acid, B 1 (thiamine), B 2 (riboflavin), B 6 (phyridoxine), B 12 (cobalamin), nicotinic
acid, and biotin; and also macro minerals and micro minerals (Spolaore et al. 2006).
Becker (1993) reported that 1 g of Spirulina contains 0.5–2.0 mg of vitamin B 12
(cobalamin). Additionally, microalgae with high levels of vitamin B 12 (cobalamin)
and iron-like Spirulina makes it suitable as a nutrient supplement for vegan. According to Becker (2004), the vitamins content of microalgae is comparable to meat,
bakery yeast, soybeans and also cereals. The vitamin content is commonly correlated with genotype, growth phase, nutritional status of microalgae and the light
intensity during photosynthesis (Gouveia et al. 2008).
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These natural photosynthetic pigments are usually used in food products and pharmaceuticals industry due to its anti-inflammatory, wound healing and calcium oxalate
controlling properties (Ferruzzi and Blakeslee 2007).
Phycobiliproteins pigment can usually be found in cyanobacteria and are deep
coloured, water soluble and fluorescent. The examples are phycocyanin in Spirulina
and Aphanizomeni flos-aquae (blue-green algae) (Gouveia et al. 2008). According to
Pandey et al. (2014), phycobiliproteins have several characteristics such as antioxidants properties, anti- inflammatory and hepatoprotective observed from in vivo
and in vitro study. These pigments are also used in clinical diagnostics as sensitive
fluorescent indicators, as a natural colourant in cosmetics and nutrition, and in food
products such as chewing gums, candies, dairy products, ice creams and refreshments
(Gouveia et al. 2008).
Astaxanthin is a natural pigment that contains a powerful antioxidant that is
more effective compared to vitamin C, E and other carotenoids such as β-carotene,
lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. According to Mata et al. (2010), the astaxanthin
content in Haematococcus pluvialis is between 1.5 and 3.0% of dry matter. The
benefits of these pigments are as anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing properties in both humans and animals. The same study also indicates that this pigment is
commonly used in fish feed specifically for salmon feeds (Mata et al. 2010).
Carotenoids which are synthesized de novo primarily by photosynthetic organisms
are naturally occurring pigments that have the ability to act as pro-vitamin A and
contained in microalgae at the level 0.1–0.2% of dry matter (Becker 1993). Previous
study by Gouveia et al. (2008) indicated that a diet rich in carotenoids may reduce
the risk of having diseases involving free radicals such as atherosclerosis and cancer.
According to Spolaore et al. (2006), β-carotene from Dunaliella salina has content
up to 14% of dry matter. β-Carotene can be used in foods such as cheese and butter
or margarine.
Microalgae are also an important source of vitamins such as tocopherols, ascorbic acid, B 1 (thiamine), B 2 (riboflavin), B 6 (phyridoxine), B 12 (cobalamin), nicotinic
acid, and biotin; and also macro minerals and micro minerals (Spolaore et al. 2006).
Becker (1993) reported that 1 g of Spirulina contains 0.5–2.0 mg of vitamin B 12
(cobalamin). Additionally, microalgae with high levels of vitamin B 12 (cobalamin)
and iron-like Spirulina makes it suitable as a nutrient supplement for vegan. According to Becker (2004), the vitamins content of microalgae is comparable to meat,
bakery yeast, soybeans and also cereals. The vitamin content is commonly correlated with genotype, growth phase, nutritional status of microalgae and the light
intensity during photosynthesis (Gouveia et al. 2008).