Small organisms might offer big improvements in biopharmaceuticals. That’s the case with Spirulina, a family of blue-green algae that are usually less than a millimeter long. These microbes produce metabolites that might be used to treat bacterial infections, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and much more. The question is: Even if commercial quantities of this algae can be produced, will it lead to useful treatments?
In Spirulina’s favor, it’s pretty easy to find, because it can live in freshwater or saltwater, even in challenging environments, such as a thermal spring. Plus, Spirulina can run its metabolism off light-driven photosynthesis or sulfur-fueled chemical reactions. “This not only helps to maintain the level of biomass production but also increases the level of valuable intracellular substances that include proteins, lipids and pigments,” wrote Rabindra Nath Padhy, PhD, head of the central research laboratory at IMS & Sum Hospital at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University in Odisha, India, and his colleagues in a study based on the analysis of 240 journal articles.
Instead of harvesting Spirulina from nature, it can be farmed. Producing large amounts of Spirulina through farming, though, is very water-intensive. Research by Pau-Loke Show, PhD, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and his colleagues showed that Spirulina might be more sustainably farmed by using rainwater and recycling the media.
In addition to producing large amounts of Spirulina, it might be possible to optimize the production of a specific metabolite, even without genetic engineering. As one example, Asaf Tzachor, PhD, academic director of the Aviram sustainability and climate program at Reichman University, in Herzliya, Israel, and his colleagues adjusted the light conditions in photobioreactors to increase the level of vitamin B12 produced in Spirulina.
Despite the potential for bioprocessing commercial scales of Spirulina, additional research is needed to confirm its biopharmaceutical promise. As Padhy and his colleagues concluded about this blue-green algae, “More work is required to explore its therapeutic potential and optimize its use as a bioactive material for the prevention/control of human ailments.”
The post Bioprocessing Opportunities from Blue-Green Algae appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
In Spirulina’s favor, it’s pretty easy to find, because it can live in freshwater or saltwater, even in challenging environments, such as a thermal spring. Plus, Spirulina can run its metabolism off light-driven photosynthesis or sulfur-fueled chemical reactions. “This not only helps to maintain the level of biomass production but also increases the level of valuable intracellular substances that include proteins, lipids and pigments,” wrote Rabindra Nath Padhy, PhD, head of the central research laboratory at IMS & Sum Hospital at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University in Odisha, India, and his colleagues in a study based on the analysis of 240 journal articles.
Instead of harvesting Spirulina from nature, it can be farmed. Producing large amounts of Spirulina through farming, though, is very water-intensive. Research by Pau-Loke Show, PhD, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and his colleagues showed that Spirulina might be more sustainably farmed by using rainwater and recycling the media.
In addition to producing large amounts of Spirulina, it might be possible to optimize the production of a specific metabolite, even without genetic engineering. As one example, Asaf Tzachor, PhD, academic director of the Aviram sustainability and climate program at Reichman University, in Herzliya, Israel, and his colleagues adjusted the light conditions in photobioreactors to increase the level of vitamin B12 produced in Spirulina.
Despite the potential for bioprocessing commercial scales of Spirulina, additional research is needed to confirm its biopharmaceutical promise. As Padhy and his colleagues concluded about this blue-green algae, “More work is required to explore its therapeutic potential and optimize its use as a bioactive material for the prevention/control of human ailments.”
The post Bioprocessing Opportunities from Blue-Green Algae appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.