Siew-Moi Phang

Astaxanthin: Sources, Extraction, Stability, Biological Activities and Its Commercial Applications—A Review

There is currently much interest in biological active compounds derived from natural resources, especially compounds that can efficiently act on molecular targets, which are involved in various diseases. Astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-β, β′-carotene-4,4′-dione) is a xanthophyll carotenoid, contained in Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella zofingiensis, Chlorococcum, and Phaffia rhodozyma. It accumulates up to 3.8% on the dry weight basis in H. pluvialis. Our recent published data on astaxanthin extraction, analysis, stability studies, and its biological activities results were added to this review paper. Based on our results and current literature, astaxanthin showed potential biological activity in in vitro and in vivo models. These studies emphasize the influence of astaxanthin and its beneficial effects on the metabolism in animals and humans. Bioavailability of astaxanthin in animals was enhanced after feeding Haematococcus biomass as a source of astaxanthin. Astaxanthin, used as a nutritional supplement, antioxidant and anticancer agent, prevents diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, and also stimulates immunization. Astaxanthin products are used for commercial applications in the dosage forms as tablets, capsules, syrups, oils, soft gels, creams, biomass and granulated powders. Astaxanthin patent applications are available in food, feed and nutraceutical applications. The current review provides up-to-date information on astaxanthin sources, extraction, analysis, stability, biological activities, health benefits and special attention paid to its commercial applications.

Use of Chlorella vulgaris for bioremediation of textile wastewater

The potential application of Chlorella vulgaris UMACC 001 for bioremediation of textile wastewater (TW) was investigated using four batches of cultures in high rate algae ponds (HRAP) containing textile dye (Supranol Red 3BW) or TW. The biomass attained ranged from 0.17 to 2.26 mg chlorophyll a/L while colour removal ranged from 41.8% to 50.0%. There was also reduction of NH(4)-N (44.4-45.1%), PO(4)-P (33.1-33.3%) and COD (38.3-62.3%) in the TW. Supplementation of the TW with nutrients of Bolds Basal Medium (BBM) increased biomass production but did not improve colour removal or reduction of pollutants. The mechanism of colour removal by C. vulgaris is biosorption, in accordance with both the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The HRAP using C. vulgaris offers a good system for the polishing of TW before final discharge.

Spirulina cultivation in digested sago starch factory wastewater

Wastewater arising from the production of sago starchhas a high carbon to nitrogen ratio, which is improvedwith anaerobic fermentation in an upflow packed beddigester. The digested effluent with an average C: N:P ratio of 24: 0.14: 1 supported growth of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira) with anaverage specific growth rate (μ) of 0.51day-1 compared with the average μ of 0.54day-1 in the inorganic Kosaric Medium in a highrate algal pond. Supplementation with 6 mM urea and2.1 mM K2HPO4 produced gross biomassproductivity of 14.4 g m-2 day-1. Aflow-rate of 24 cm s-1 increased the μ andgross biomass productivity (18 g m-2 day-1). The highest crude protein, carbohydrate and lipidcontents of the biomass were 68%, 23% and 11%,respectively. Percentage reductions in chemicaloxygen demand, ammoniacal-nitrogen and phosphatelevels of the digested effluent reached 98.0%, 99.9%and 99.4% respectively. The HRAP offers a goodtreatment system for sago starch factory wastewater.

Nutritional values of chironomid larvae grown in palm oil mill effluent and algal culture

Copyright (c) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Chironomid larvae were grown in nine 70-l tanks containing palm oil mill effluent (POME) and algal culture. The algal culture was obtained by inoculating 200 ml pure culture of Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck initially in 20-l tap water containing inorganic fertilizer N:P:K (1:0.2:0.2). Each treatment was done in triplicate. Dissolved oxygen, pH, total nitrogen, total ammonia nitrogen, ortho-phosphate, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids and total dissolved solids of the media in each tank were analyzed. Protein, lipid, ash, amino acids, fatty acids, total carotene and minerals were determined for POME, chironomid larvae, and algae. The culture was terminated after 25 days and chironomid production was determined. The production of chironomid larvae was significantly (P<0.01) higher in POME tanks (580 g/20 l POME) than in algal culture (35 g/20 l algal culture). Raw palm oil mill effluents contained significantly higher (P<0.05) arginine, methionine, isoleucine and phenylalanine than algae grown in fertilizer. The essential amino acids of chironomid larvae grown in POME such as histidine, arginine, methionine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and lysine were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in chironomid larvae grown on algal culture. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with the exception of Υ-linolenic acid (18:3n−6), were higher in chironomid larvae grown in POME than those grown on algal culture. Twenty seven minerals were detected by electron microscope but 23 minerals were analyzed and quantified in POME, algae, and chironomid larvae grown in POME and algal culture. The quantity of sulfur was significantly higher (P<0.05) in POME than algae, which probably induced the synthesis of methionine, a S-containing essential amino acid in chironomid larvae cultured in POME. Experiments showed that POME did not only induce high production of chironomid larvae, but also produced high quality live food for the aquaculture industry.

Influence of culture temperature on the growth, biochemical composition and fatty acid profiles of six Antarctic microalgae

The growth, biochemical composition and fatty acid profiles of six Antarctic microalgae cultured at different temperatures, ranging from 4, 6, 9, 14, 20 to 30 ∘C, were compared. The algae were isolated from seawater, freshwater, soil and snow samples collected during our recent expeditions to Casey, Antarctica, and are currently deposited in the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMACC). The algae chosen for the study were Chlamydomonas UMACC 229, Chlorella UMACC 234, Chlorella UMACC 237, Klebsormidium UMACC 227, Navicula UMACC 231 and Stichococcus UMACC 238. All the isolates could grow at temperatures up to 20 ∘C; three isolates, namely Navicula UMACC 231 and the two Chlorella isolates (UMACC 234 and UMACC 237) grew even at 30 ∘C. Both Chlorella UMACC 234 and Stichococcus UMACC 238 had broad optimal temperatures for growth, ranging from 6 to 20 ∘C (μ = 0.19 – 0.22 day–1) and 4 to 14 ∘C (μ = 0.13 – 0.16 day–1), respectively. In contrast, optimal growth temperatures for NaviculaUMACC 231 and Chlamydomonas UMACC 229 were 4 ∘C (μ = 0.34 day–1) and 6–9 ∘C (μ = 0.39 – 0.40 day–1), respectively. The protein content of the Antarctic algae was markedly affected by culture temperature. All except Navicula UMACC 231 and Stichococcus UMACC 238 contained higher amount of proteins when grown at low temperatures (6–9 ∘C). The percentage of PUFA, especially 20:5 in Navicula UMACC 231 decreased with increasing culture temperature. However, the percentages of unsaturated fatty acids did not show consistent trend with culture temperature for the other algae studied.

Environmental effects on growth and biochemical composition ofNitzschia inconspicua Grunow

The effects of nitrate and silicate levels, and carbon source on growth, biochemical composition and fatty acid composition ofNitzschia inconspicua were investigated using batch cultures. Within the range of silicate levels supplied (8.8–176 μM), no marked variations in growth trend, biochemical composition or fatty acid composition were shown. Biomass at stationary phase, ranging from 64–66 mg ash-free dry weight (AFDW) L−1, and specific growth rate (μ) based on chlorophylla (0.41–0.50 d−1) of the cultures grown within 0.3–3.0 mM NaNO3 were not significantly different. Cultures supplemented with glucose (0.1 % w/v), acetate (0.1 % w/v) or 5% CO2 attained higher biomass (85, 85, 97 mg AFDW L−1) than the control which was grown in synthetic seawater and agitated by magnetic stirring. Cells grown at <3.0 mM NaNO3 contained higher carbohydrate contents (14.8–21.5% AFDW) than those grown at 3.0 mM (4.0% AFDW). Lipid content increased at the expense of proteins in cells aerated with 5% CO2. The dominant fatty acids, 16:0 and 16:1, ranged from 35.7–45.0% and 36.4–45.4% total fatty acids (TFA), respectively, while the relative proportions of 20:4 (n-6) and 20:5 (n-3) ranged from 1.7–5.4% and 3.4–5.9% TFA respectively. Cultures aerated with 5% CO2 attained the highest biomass (97 mg AFDW L−1) and yield of 20:5 (n-3) (0.34 mg L−1).

Tributyltin distribution in the coastal environment of Peninsular Malaysia.

The occurrence of tributyltin (TBT) is reported in the coastal waters of a few selected sites in Peninsular Malaysia. Water, bivalves and sediment samples collected were analysed specifically for TBT using sensitive analytical methods which involved a solvent extraction procedure with appropriate clean-up followed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric measurements. The levels of TBT in the seawater in unexposed areas were found in the range from <3.4 to 20 ng litre(-1) as compared to coastal areas with high boat and ship activities where TBT levels in seawater were generally above 30 ng litre(-1), with the highest level found at 281.8 ng litre(-1). TBT levels in the tissues of random cockle and soft-shell clam samples from local markets were found in the range from <0.5 to 3.7 ng g(-1) wet weight. The levels of TBT found in green mussel samples both from the market (23.5 ng g(-1) wet weight) and those from a mussel farm (14.2 ng g(-1) wet weight) indicate slight accumulation of TBT. In sediments, TBT levels were found ranging from <0.7 ng g(-1) dry weight in unexposed coastal sites to as high as 216.5 ng g(-1) dry weight for a site within a port area.

Composition and accumulation of secondary carotenoids in Chlorococcum sp.

A locally isolated Chlorococcum sp. could accumulate astaxanthin and its esters as secondary carotenoids. The secondary carotenoids could reach a concentration of 5.2 mg g−1 d. wt, and were located in the cytoplasm and chloroplast as globules. Cells grew best at pH 8.0 and 30 °C, at which the growth rate was about 0.066 h−1. Acidic condition (pH 5.5 and 6.5) and slightly elevated temperature (35 °C) enhanced the cellular accumulation of astaxanthin. Outdoor studies indicated that Chlorococcum sp. grew well in a tubular photobioreactor. In medium containing 2 mM and 10 mM NH4CI, the cellular contents of total secondary carotenoids and astaxanthin reached similar levels (5.0 mg g−1 d. wt and 2.0 mg g−1 d. wt, respectively) in the 15 days of cultivation, while the yield of total secondary carotenoids and astaxanthin in 10 mM NH4CI were higher (45 mg L−1 and 18 mg L−1, respectively). The advantages of tolerance to high temperature and extreme pH values, relative fast growth rate and ease of cultivation in outdoor system suggest that Chlorococcum sp. could be a potential candidate for mass production of secondary carotenoids in particular astaxanthin.

Studies on Gracilaria changii (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) from Malaysian mangroves

Gracilaria changii, recorded from Malaysia and Thailand, is one of the more abundant agarophytic seaweeds found in Malaysia. A wild population of Gracilaria changii growing in mangroves was monitored for seasonal variation in agar content and gel strength as well as spore production. Agar yield and gel strength ranged from 12 to 25% dry weight and 294 to 563 g cm-2, respectively, over a 15-month period. Gel strength but not yield was positively correlated with amount of rainfall. Cystocarps were observed throughout the study, but use of sporetraps showed that spore release peaked around July-August and January-February after the two monsoon periods.

Seaweed resources in Malaysia: Current status and future prospects

Malaysia has an extensive coastline fringed by numerous islands, providing various habitats for the proliferation of seaweeds. The first checklist of the marine benthic algae in Malaysia was published in 1991, together with a historical account of phycological research in the region. Regular collections of seaweeds resulted in several updates reporting new records and new species. The tally of Malaysian marine algae stands at 375 specific and infraspecific taxa. The last two decades have seen an increased interest in the commercial use of seaweeds, especially Eucheuma, Kappaphycus and Gracilaria. Eucheuma and Kappaphycus are cultured in Sabah where two factories for production of semi-refined carrageenan have been established. The inventory of Malaysian seaweeds continues. Ecological information is scarce and therefore biomass assessments of natural seaweed areas, productivity determination and phenological studies of important species should be encouraged. Only then can the status of the seaweed flora of Malaysia be assessed, and threatened species and habitats be identified.