Joanna Fabrowska

Biomass of freshwater Cladophora as a raw material for agriculture and the cosmetic industry

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine mineral content, amino acid and fatty acid composition of the freshwater macroalga – Cladophora glomerata. The studies were based on the content comparison in algal biomass collected from a lake and cultured in a laboratory. To determine the ability of copper cumulating by macroalgae, Cladophora was cultured in the medium supplemented with Cu ions. This study indicated that the relative abundance of metals in filaments decreased in the following order: Ca > K > Mg > Na > Fe > Cu > Zn > Pb > As > Ni > Cd > Mn > Cr > Co. Total protein content ranged from 14.45% in Cladophora from a lake to 26.55% in Cladophora from a laboratory. The main amino acids analyzed were aspartic and glutamic acid. The fatty acid content in the dry matter of the extract varied depending on the extraction method used: ethylene alcohol (19.0%), acetone (34.5%) or supercritical fluid extraction (62.5%). Freshwater C. glomerata due to the macrominerals, trace elements, amino and fatty acids composition in the extracts can be a valuable resource for nutritional and cosmetic applications. Graphical Abstract

Isolation of chlorophylls and carotenoids from freshwater algae using different extraction methods: Pigments extraction of freshwater algae

Usually marine algae are an excellent source of pigments for different commercial sectors. Freshwater macroalgae can be exploited as a good source of biologically active compounds provided an appropriate extraction method is developed. The efficiency of four methods, like microwave‐assisted (MAE), ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with ethanol as a co‐solvent, as well as conventional Soxhlet extraction were studied in the same conditions (time, solvent and temperature) for the recovery of chlorophylls and carotenoids from three freshwater green algae species: Cladophora glomerata, Cladophora rivularis and Ulva flexuosa. UV‐Vis spectrophotometry was used to determine chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoid content in obtained extracts. The results of this study showed that the advantages of novel extraction techniques (MAE and UAE) include higher yield and, in consequence, lower costs compared to traditional solvent extraction techniques. These methods were much more efficient in freshwater green algae pigment recovery than the classic Soxhlet extraction as well as SFE.

Effects of organic compounds on the macroalgae culture of Aegagropila linnaei

Abstract The effects of the impact of four organic compounds (ascorbic acid, biotin, glucose and sucrose) on ash, protein, fiber, fat and amino acid contents in the freshwater Aegagropila linnaei biomass were examined in 7 and 14 days of cultivations in high concentrations of tested compounds (100 mg L-1). The presence of examined organic compounds had a negligible effect on the development of algae and their biomass composition. There were no significant differences in the amino acids composition in the biomass in the presence of organic compounds compared to the test system. However, the increase in ash content was observed irrespective of the cultivation time in the case of all used organic compounds. Only slight differences in crude fat concentration were observed in the case of 7 days cultivation with ascorbic acid, biotin and sucrose, while the highest increase of ash content was observed after 14 days of supplementation with glucose. None of the compounds affected changes in amino acid content in the Aegagropila linnaei biomass. The results suggest that an environment enriched with the test organic compounds had only minimal, or at most short-term, effects on the algal biomass composition. Graphical Abstract