Cosmetic Application of Cyanobacteria Extracts with a Sustainable Vision to Skincare: Role in the Antioxidant and Antiaging Process

Nature-based and sustainably sourced cosmetics have been dominating the area of skincare products worldwide. Due to their antioxidant and antiaging properties, compounds from cyanobacteria, such as carotenoids and phycobiliproteins, may replace synthetic ingredients in cosmetic formulations and may be used in products such as sunscreens, skincare creams, and makeup. In this study, we evaluated the potential of acetonic and aqueous extracts from cyanobacteria strains of the genera Cyanobium and Leptothoe and from strains within Synechococcales and Oscillatoriales orders, for use in cosmetics. Extractions were sequentially performed with acetone and water. Extracts were firstly analyzed for their toxicity to keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells (HaCAT, 3T3L1 and hCMEC/D3, respectively). The non-cytotoxic extracts were characterized in terms of total proteins, carotenoids, chlorophyll, phenols, phycobiliproteins, and analyzed for their antioxidant potential against the superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), and for their ability to inhibit key enzymes associated with the skin aging process. Aqueous extracts were richer in total proteins and phycobiliproteins. The aqueous extracts of Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181157 and Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181150 showed the highest value for total proteins (760.81 and 695.25 μg BSA mL⁻¹_{dry extract,} respectively) and the best values regarding O₂^•− scavenging (IC₅₀ = 63.24 and 112.18 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract}, respectively) with a significant negative correlation observed (p < 0.01). Moreover, aqueous extracts of Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181150 and Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181157 inhibited hyaluronidase, (IC₅₀ of 483.86 and 645.06 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract}, respectively), with a significant negative correlation with total proteins (p < 0.05), pointing out the contribution of these compounds to the biological activities observed. Acetonic extracts were richer in carotenoids and phenols. Zeaxanthin and β-carotene were predominant among all strains, being present in higher amount in Cyanobium sp. LEGE 07175 (53.08 μg mg⁻¹) and Leptothoe sp. LEGE 181156 (47.89 μg mg⁻¹), respectively. The same strains also showed the highest values for collagenase inhibition at 750 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract} (32.88 and 36.61%, respectively). Furthermore, Leptothoe sp. LEGE 181156 exhibited the lowest IC₅₀ value for tyrosinase inhibition (465.92 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract}) and Synechococcales cyanobacterium LEGE 181157 presented the best values for elastase inhibition (IC₅₀ of 380.50 and IC₂₅ of 51.43 μg mL⁻¹_{dry extract}). In general, cyanobacteria extracts demonstrated potential for being used for antiaging purposes, with aqueous extracts being more efficient at free radicals scavenging and acetonic ones at avoiding degradation of dermal matrix components.     

蓝细菌16S rRNA双甲基化酶基因ksgA的进化分析、蛋白结构预测及功能验证

为研究核糖体小亚基rRNA双甲基化酶基因ksgA的进化关系、蛋白结构和功能,利用MEGA 5.2软件构建了37种蓝细菌ksgA基因和16S rDNA的系统进化树,通过SWISS-MODEL分析和预测KsgA的蛋白质结构模型,并通过克隆集胞蓝细菌Synechocystis sp.strain PCC 6803、鱼腥蓝细菌Anabaena sp.strain PCC7120和聚球蓝细菌Synechococcus elongates sp.strain PCC 7942的ksgA基因对大肠杆菌ksgA突变体进行了异源互补.结果表明:ksgA基因在蓝细菌中与16S rDNA进化分支高度相似,且体现出蓝细菌进化的聚类特征;蓝细菌KsgA甲基化酶与该蛋白家族的其他蛋白质拥有共同的保守结构、催化位点和配体结合位点;克隆的3种蓝细菌ksgA基因均能在一定程度上互补大肠杆菌ksgA基因的功能.     

蓝细菌与福建苏铁(Cycad revoluta)的侵染性重组的研究

将苏铁珊瑚状根及根周围的土壤中分离的蓝细菌分离物与福建苏铁(Cycas revoluta)在实验室条件下进行重组。通过比较重组前后蓝细菌分离物的STRR指纹图谱和16S rRNA的序列得蓝细菌分离物RZHA4能重新侵染苏铁的珊瑚状根。通过NCBI比对,蓝细菌分离物RZHA4的16S rRNA序列与蓝细菌NostocaceaeIL13-1的相似性为99%。     

抗除草剂固氮蓝藻研究进展

分析了近10年来国内外的相关文献,对抗除草剂固氮蓝藻研究进行综述.重点介绍了除草剂对固氮蓝藻生长和固氮能力的影响,探讨了固氮蓝藻抗除草剂的机理,并就今后的研究内容和方向进行展望.     

Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by the Thermophilic Cyanobacterium Gloeocapsa gelatinosa: Characterization and Assessment of Their Antioxidant and Metal-Chelating Activities

Cyanobacteria, particularly thermophilic strains, represent an important potential source of EPSs, harboring structural complexity that predicts diverse and specific bioactive potential. The thermophilic cyanobacteria Gloeocapsa gelatinosa, isolated from a natural hot source in Ain Echfa (Tunisia), was cultivated in a cylindrical reactor, and the production of biomass and EPSs was investigated. Results revealed that the strain is amongst the most efficient EPSs producers (0.89 g L⁻¹) and that EPSs production was not correlated with the growth phase. EPSs were sulfated heteropolysaccharides containing carbohydrates (70%) based on nine different monosaccharides, mainly mannose (22%), and with the presence of two uronic acids. EPSs were formed by two polymers moieties with a molecular weight of 598.3 ± 7.2 and 67.2 ± 4.4 kDa. They are thermostable in temperatures exceeding 100 °C and have an anionic nature (zeta potential of −40 ± 2 mV). Atomic force microscopy showed that EPSs formed multimodal lumps with 88 nm maximum height. EPSs presented high water holding capacity (70.29 ± 2.36%) and solubility index (97.43 ± 1.24%), and a strong bivalent metal sorption capacity especially for Cu²⁺ (91.20 ± 1.25%) and Fe²⁺ (75.51 ± 0.71%). The antioxidant activity of G. gelatinosa EPSs was investigated using four methods: the β-carotene-bleaching activity, DPPH assays, iron-reducing activity, and metal-chelating activity. EPS has shown high potential as free radicals’ scavenger, with an IC₅₀ on DPPH (0.2 g L⁻¹) three-fold lower than ascorbic acid (0.6 g L ⁻¹) and as a metal chelating activity (IC₅₀ = 0.4 g L⁻¹) significantly lower than EDTA. The obtained results allow further exploration of the thermophilic G. gelatinosa for several biotechnological and industrial applications.     

不同理化因子对荒漠生物结皮中三种蓝藻生长的影响

对实验室分离荒漠生物结皮中的具鞘微鞘藻〔Microcoleus vaginatus(Vauch.)Gom.〕、眼点伪枝藻(Scy-tonema ocellatum Lyngb)、地木耳(Nostoc commune Vauch.)3种蓝藻分别进行了培养,利用正交设计的方法研究了pH值、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+4种理化因子对其生长的影响,初步探讨了3种蓝藻在实验室内生长所需的最适生理条件。研究结果表明,具鞘微鞘藻的最适生理条件:pH值为8,Ca2+浓度为3.54×10-5mol/L,Mg2+浓度为5.1×10-5mol/L,K+浓度为1.345×10-5mol/L;眼点伪枝藻的最适生理条件为:pH值9,Ca2+浓度为1.77×10-5mol/L,Mg2+浓度为5.1×10-5mol/L,K+浓度为2.69×10-5mol/L;地木耳的最适生理条件为:pH值为10,K+浓度为5.38×10-5mol/L,Ca2+浓度为1.77×10-5mol/L,Mg2+浓度为1.02×10-4mol/L。     

Effects of salinity on the growth and proximate composition of selected tropical marine periphytic diatoms and cyanobacteria

Marine periphytic cyanobacteria and diatoms have been examined as a potential source of feed supplement for rearing aquatic larvae in the aquaculture industry. Culture of the periphytic diatom Amphora sp., Navicula sp., Cymbella sp. and the cyanobacteria Oscillatoria sp. at different salinities showed significant changes in biomass and specific growth rates. Diatoms growth was significantly higher at 35 g L⁻¹, while for cyanobacteria growth was better at 25 g L⁻¹. Significantly higher levels of protein and lipid were found in diatoms at low salinities (15–25 g L⁻¹) and an increase in carbohydrate at high salinities (30–35 g L⁻¹). Conversely, cyanobacteria showed a significantly higher lipid content at 30–35 g L⁻¹ compared with other salinity levels but no significant changes were observed in the protein and carbohydrate contents at different salinity levels. The present findings can be taken into consideration when culturing marine periphytic Amphora sp., Navicula sp., Cymbella sp. and Oscillatoria sp. to provide appropriate levels of protein, lipid and carbohydrate as feed supplement as well as for bioremediation in aquaculture.     

Low-density silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes) polyculture does not prevent cyanobacterial off-flavours in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes) were co‐cultured with channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) in 0.4 ha earthen ponds to determine the impacts of carp grazing on pond phytoplankton communities and cyanobacterial off‐flavours in catfish. Carp were stocked at densities of 0, 75, or 250 fish ha^?1 in seven replicate ponds per treatment. The mean chlorophyll a concentrations (a measure of phytoplankton standing crop) steadily increased in all treatments from about 100 μg L^?1 in April to more than 400 μg L^?1 by mid‐October. Silver carp had no affect (P>0.1) on chlorophyll a concentrations across all sampling dates (April though October) or for sampling dates late in the growing season (August–October) when the prevalence of cyanobacterial off‐flavours among catfish populations is usually greatest. Silver carp did not eliminate odour‐producing cyanobacteria from pond phytoplankton communities: on sampling dates in September and October, three to six ponds in all treatments contained populations of the odour‐producing cyanobacteria Oscillatoria perornata, Anabaena spp., or both. Failure of silver carp to eliminate odour‐producing cyanobacteria resulted in a relatively high incidence in all treatments of ponds with off‐flavoured catfish. On sampling dates in September and October, catfish in three to five ponds in each treatment were tainted with either musty (2‐methylisoborneol) or earthy (geosmin) off‐flavours. The presence of silver carp had no obvious effect on off‐flavour intensity: on each sampling date, at least three ponds in each treatment contained catfish described as distinctly to extremely off‐flavored. Apparently, hypertrophic conditions in catfish ponds overwhelm the effect of silver carp grazing at the low carp densities used in this study.     

Preliminary Study on the Activity of Phycobiliproteins against Botrytis cinerea

Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are proteins of cyanobacteria and some algae such as rhodophytes. They have antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activity at the human level, but there is a lack of knowledge on their antifungal activity against plant pathogens. We studied the activity of PBPs extracted from Arthrospira platensis and Hydropuntia cornea against Botrytis cinerea, one of the most important worldwide plant-pathogenic fungi. PBPs were characterized by using FT-IR and FT-Raman in order to investigate their structures. Their spectra differed in the relative composition in the amide bands, which were particularly strong in A. platensis. PBP activity was tested on tomato fruits against gray mold disease, fungal growth, and spore germination at different concentrations (0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, and 4.8 mg/mL). Both PBPs reduced fruit gray mold disease. A linear dose–response relationship was observed for both PBPs against disease incidence and H. cornea against disease severity. Pathogen mycelial growth and spore germination were reduced significantly by both PBPs. In conclusion, PBPs have the potential for being also considered as natural compounds for the control of fungal plant pathogens in sustainable agriculture.     

响应面法优化蓝藻溶藻菌CZBC1发酵培养工艺

[目的]优化蓝藻溶藻菌——蜡样芽孢杆菌CZBC1的发酵培养工艺,为蓝藻溶藻菌制剂的工业化发酵生产提供技术支持.[方法]通过单因素试验筛选适合蜡样芽孢杆菌CZBC1生长的最适碳源和氮源,在单因素试验的基础上,采用中心组合试验设计(CCD)确定关键因子的最佳数量水平,并以Desig-Expert 8.0.5进行回归分析,通过响应面分析获得CZBC1的最佳发酵培养工艺参数.[结果]蜡样芽孢杆菌CZBC1的最佳碳源、氮源分别为麸皮+糖蜜(1:1)和酵母膏.以麸皮+糖蜜用量(A)、酵母膏用量(B)、pH(C)、培养时间(D)为因素变量,CZBC1芽孢数(lgN)为响应值,拟合得到二次多元回归方程为lgN=8.5019-0.2222A+0.0998B-0.1292C+0.3801D+0.2194AB-0.1133AC+0.1350AD+0.2049BC-0.0651BD+0.0638CD-0.1260A2-0.3152B2-0.0380C2-0.2533D2,其中,碳源(麸皮+糖蜜)用量与氮源(酵母膏)用量的交互作用、碳源用量与pH的交互作用、碳源用量与培养时间的交互作用、氮源用量与pH的交互作用对CZBC1芽孢数的影响均达极显著水平(P<0.01,下同).响应面分析优化得到的蜡样芽孢杆菌CZBC1最佳发酵培养参数:麸皮+糖蜜6.84 g/L,酵母膏3.36 g/L,pH 6.50,培养时间42 h.此条件下,CZBC1芽孢数的实际值为5.75×108 CFU/mL,与理论值(5.90×108 CFU/mL)间无显著差异(P>0.05),但极显著高于优化前采用营养肉汤发酵培养的芽孢数(1.28×107 CFU/mL).[结论]采用响应面法优化得出蜡样芽孢杆菌CZBC1最佳发酵培养工艺能有效提高菌株的芽孢数量,且模型拟合效果较好,可用于指导蓝藻溶藻菌制剂的工业化发酵生产.