Bioactive compounds for cyanobacteria and microalgae for human health applications: 'An Irish marine pharmacy'

Cyanobacteria and microalgae are rich sources of bioactive compounds (antioxidants, anti-inflammatory) that have been shown to have numerous health benefits for humans. An example of such bioactive compounds from these organisms includes essential fatty acids, which have been linked to improved heart health, and amino acids (essential, proteinogenic and nonproteinogenic), which have been shown to have properties that influence brain health e.g., GABA. These bioactive compounds make cyanobacteria and microalgae a veritable "Irish marine pharmacy “, providing a natural and sustainable source of nutrients and compounds that can benefit human health in a variety of ways.
This study involved cultivation of selected species of Irish marine cyanobacteria and microalgae from the Shannon ABC biobank, followed by extraction and characterisation of the most potential bioactive compounds (amino acids, fatty acids, carotenoids, phycobilipigments and nontargeted biodiscovery compounds). Characterisation of these extracts were carried out by using sophisticated analytical techniques such as High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HP-TLC), Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS) and UV Spectrophotometry.

In addition, in vitro and in vivo assays were carried out for their bioactivity potential analysis. Two cyanobacteria (Chlorogloea microcystoides SABC022904, and Spirulina subsalsa SABC051501) and two microalgae (Chlorococcum sp. SABC 012504 and Porphyridium cruentum SABC 022605) were identified as promising candidates for bioproduction of GABA and Taurine, amino acids known for their inhibitory, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant capabilities; fatty acids (Arachidonic acid and linolenic acid) which have been shown to assist in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory properties. The potential for improving human health through these natural sources needs further optimisation of their bioproduction followed by in vivo analysis.