Spirulina

Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

Study on Changing of Protein and Carbohydrate Ratios in Spirulina due to Light Intensity Molly1, Khine Zar Wynn Lae2

Abstract In this research work, spirulina samples were collected from Artificial Culture Pond of Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory (Yekharr), Sagaing Division. The samples were harvested eight times per day when the optical density became 0.6g/l and protein and carbohydrate ratios were determined during day and night conditions in November, December, January and February. It was observed that protein content decreased in day and increased at night. Some minerals essential for biologic functions were detected by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Introduction Spirulina is a multicellular, filamentous blue-green alga (cyanobacterium). It consists of blue-green filaments of 1 to 12 μm diameter cylindrical cells in unbranched, helicoidal trichomes. The filaments are motile, gliding along their axis and have no heterocysts. Spirulina can grow rapidly, reaching high filament densities in warm, shallow, briackish lakes. Spirulina is rich in protein. It contains about 60% protein, 15% carbohydrate, 5% lipid, 7% minerals and others are some phytochemicals and vitamins. The chemical composition of spirulina reflects its potential as human foods, animal feed and as a source of natural products. It is a naturally rich source of nutrients and its high quality, easily digested proteins may support immunity and optimum health for human beings. It is a satisfying Super Food for dieters as it provides aids in cleansing and detoxifying. Water extract of spirulina plantensis inhibits HIV-1 replication in human derived T-cell lines and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Spirulina is also extremely high in vitamin B12, the mucoprotein cell walls are easy to digest, unlike the cellulose cell wall found in many other nutritional algae, it is completely non-toxic, and its lipids are made up of unsaturated fatty acids that do not form cholesterol.

1. 2.

Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Yadanarbon University Demonstrator, Dr, Department of Chemistry, Yadanabon University

2

Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

In addition to being exceptionally high in protein, spirulina appears to have the highest vitamin B12 content among unprocessed plant or animal food, representing a boon to vegetarian diets. The effect of spirulina tablets as a supplement for those who are on reducing diet and the body weight of person has been recently conducted in Germany (W. Becker, personal communication). It was found that, 14 spirulina tablets were taken before each meal daily and during four weeks body weight fell significantly by 1.4 (±0.4) kg. Spirulina is used as a feed ingredient for pigmentation of ornamental fish, especially goldfish and fancy red carp (Miki et al-1986). In Myanmar, Spirulina has been found in four alkaline lakes, namely Lake Twyn Taung, Lake Twyn Ma, Lake Taung Pyauk and Lake Yekharr. Artificial Culture Ponds were constructed at Myanmar Spirulina Factory, Yekharr in 2003. Ayerawady river water and trona (Soda Ash) are used for Spirulina Culture Media. The source of Spirulina strain is natural lake, Twyn Taung. Myanmar Spirulina contains approximately one-third more carbohydrate and polysaccharides than those from any other sources. The antiviral activities of Myanmar Spirulina have been investigated by Professor Dr. Dr. O.Pulz and Dr. P.J.Mewes (Germany) in 2006. The results showed that extracts of spirulina from Myanmar provided 80 to 100 % protection level against Herpes simplex viruses and 75 to 83 % protection against influenza viruses. In this research work, the samples were collected from Artificial Culture Ponds of Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory, Yekharr in Sagaing Division. Material and Methods Botanical Name Arthrospira Platensis Family Name Oscillatoriaceae Genus Arthrospira Species Spirulina Platensis Common Name Spirulina The samples, Spirulina biomass, were collected four times in November, December, January and February from the Artificial Culture ponds of Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory (Yekharr) in Sagaing Division. Spirulina grows well during those months.

Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

3

The mineral contents were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) (model-AA 6200). During harvesting, the temperature was measured by thermometer and light intensity was measured by Lux meter. The protein content was determined by Kjeldahl method and the carbohydrate content by phenol sulphuric colorimetric method.

Results and Discussions Phytochemical screening indicates that Myanmar Spirulina from Yekharr contains alkaloid, protein, carbohydrate, flavonoid, glycoside, lipophilic, phenolic, polyphenol, sugar and steroid. Moreover, it is rich in protein and carbohydrate. Determination of essential elements has been carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique. Table-1. Mineral Contents in Spirulina Dry Chip No. Mineral Content (%) Function 1. Sodium 0.2880 Salt flavour (as NaCl) 2. Potassium 1.2603 Prevent high blood pressure 3. Magnesium 0.2376 Essential for life function 4. Calcium 0.402 Proper bone and teeth formation 5. Iron 0.05 Oxygen carrier in blood 6. Manganese 0.00137 Smooth functioning in brain 7. Zinc 0.00123 Normal taste and smell Carbohydrate content increases in day and decreases at night. It was observed that the higher the intensity of light the higher is the carbohydrate content.

4

Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

Table-2. The protein and carbohydrate content depending on light intensity in November, 2008. Harvesting Time

Air Temperature (ºC)

Light Intensity (Wm-2)

Protein (%)

Carbohydrate (%)

1

3:00 AM

20

-

58.77

6.532

2

6:00 AM

21

0.364

58.50

6.894

3

9:00 AM

27

116.0

58.43

7.416

4

12:00 PM

32

118.28

57.49

10.08

5

3:00 PM

31

115.94

56.19

10.59

6

6:00 PM

25

0.024

53.43

12.79

7

9:00 PM

23

-

62.47

8.147

8

12:00 AM

22

-

65.41

7.755

Protein and Carbohydrate %

No:

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 3:00 AM 6:00 AM 9:00 AM

12:00 AM

3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 PM

Harvesting Time Protein %

Carbohydrate %

Table-3. The protein and carbohydrate content depending on light intensity in December, 2008. No:

Harvesting Time

Air Temperature (ºC)

Light Intensity (Wm-2)

Protein (%)

Carbohydrate (%)

1

3:00 AM

17

-

67.13

11.651

2

6:00 AM

15

0.250

65.0

11.339

3

9:00 AM

22

111.05

61.69

13.904

4

12:00 PM

26

156.82

61.56

13.924

5

3:00 PM

28

123.06

60.25

15.152

6

6:00 PM

21

0.0002

60.38

14.052

7

9:00 PM

19

-

62.5

13.262

8

12:00 AM

18

-

63.91

11.801

Protein and Carbohydrate %

Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

5

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 3:00 AM 6:00 AM 9:00 AM

12:00 AM

3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 PM

Harvesting Time Protein %

Carbohydrate %

Table-4. The protein and carbohydrate content depending on light intensity in January, 2009. No:

Harvesting Time

Air Temperature (ºC)

Light Intensity (Wm-2)

1

3:00 AM

16

-

3 4 5 6 7 8

6:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 AM Protein and Carbohydrate %

2

16

Protein (%)

-

27

108.90

27

138.01

31

130.89

28

0.256

25

-

18

-

Carbohydrate (%)

59.63 59.31 56.5 55.69 52.25 55.56 57.56 60.38

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 3:00 AM 6:00 AM 9:00 AM

12:00 AM

3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 PM

Harvesting Time Protein %

Carbohydrate %

8.536 8.958 9.132 12.833 18.084 15.452 10.141 8.867

6

Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

Table-5. The protein and carbohydrate content depending on light intensity in February, 2009. No:

Harvesting Time

Air Temperature (ºC)

Light Intensity (Wm-2)

1

3:00 AM

12

-

2 3 4 5 6 7

9:00 AM 12:00 PM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 AM Protein and Carbohydrate %

8

6:00 AM

15

-

24

101.48

32

148.67

31

122.96

25

0.296

22

-

19

-

Protein (%) 64.06 61.75 60.06 56.94 59.94 59.95 60.13 60.19

Carbohydrate (%) 8.3947 10.5054 12.654 15.150 12.0747 11.668 11.554 8.826

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 3:00 AM 6:00 AM 9:00 AM

12:00 AM

3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 PM

Harvesting Time Protein %

Carbohydrate %

Conclusion Culture spirulina can be obtained found all the year round although peak blooming season occur during November to March. Therefore, from November-2008 to February-2009, the protein and carbohydrate content of spirulina were determined by monthly and it was found that the carbohydrate and protein ratios in spirulina depend on light intensity. The carbohydrate content is high between 12:00 AM to 6:00 PM due to photosynthesis, whereas protein content increases at night. It is due to the facts that during the night, carbohydrates are converted to proteins and there may be losses of carbohydrate because of respiration. Thus, the research findings are quite reasonable and in conformity with the nature.

Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

Acknowledgements We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Acting-rector, U Than Nwe and Pro-rector Dr Than Tun Oo, Yadanabon University for their interest and encouragement on our research work. We also thank to Professor and Head, Dr Aye Aye Cho, Department of Chemistry, Yadanabon University, for her valuable advice and permission to use research facilities in doing this research. We are greatly indebted to Professor Dr. Min Thien, General Manager, Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory, Sagaing, Ministry of Industry (1) (Retired) for his kind helps to measure some of the data. References • Babadzhanov, A.S., et al. "Chemical Composition of Spirulina Platensis Cultivated in Uzbekistan." Chemistry of Natural Compounds. 40, 3, 2004. • Elizabeth A. Cook and Lillian N. Ellis. Variations in the Growth Response of Four Different Vitamin B12 Assay Microorganisms to the Same Tissue and Standard Preparations. Appl Microbiol. 1968 December; 16(12): 1831–1840. • Jaap Van Rijn and Moshe Shile, "Nitrogen Limitation in Natural Populations of Cyanobacteria (Spirulina and Oscillation spp.) and Its Effect on Macromolecular Synthesis", Aug, 1986, American Society of Microbiology, Vol.52, No.2. • Microalgae: Spirulina platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, and Isochrisis galbana." Journal of Food Science. 68, 4, 2003. • Myanmar Spirulina - Myanmar Traditions and Culture.mht http://www.myanmartravilinformation.com/ • Prof. Dr. Dr. O. Pulz, Dr. P. J. "MewesVarious antiviral activities of Spirulina/Arthrospira plantensis extracts." OM & Ernahrung 1006/Nr116. • Spirulina (dietary supplement) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.mht

7