Functional Activity Determination of Microalgal Bioactive Compounds

Introduction

Microalgae are rich reservoirs and renewable sources of natural products. They have attracted significant interest as a renewable and safe source of various bioactive compounds, seen as a gateway to multi-billion dollar commercial scale. Algal biomass possesses a wide range of bioactivities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antidiabetic, antiallergic, anticoagulant, analgesic activity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. In addition, algal bioactive compounds vary widely depending on the algal species, harvest season, growth habitat and environmental parameters, geographic origin, and cultural conditions. Different extraction parameters such as solvent, temperature, and pressure can affect the obtaining of different microalgal extracts. The biological activity of various microalgal bioactive compounds must be tested by performing appropriate functional activity assays.

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Customized Solutions

Our scientists can quickly assist you in extracting microalgal bioactive compounds of interest with various advanced techniques. Here at Lifeasible, we are committed to providing our global clients with professional, functional activity assay services for microalgal bioactive compounds through rapid in vitro assays. Our goal is to help you determine the bioactivity of the microalgae extracts obtained that are desirable.

Our skilled scientists have tested the possible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, and anti-biofilm activities of compounds in microalgae extracts using a variety of advanced techniques.

Determination of Antioxidant Activity

We evaluated the antioxidant potential of microalgae extracts using two different assays, the Cellular Lipid Peroxidation Antioxidant Activity (CLPAA) and the Cellular Antioxidant Activity (CAA) assays.

Determination of Anti-Inflammatory Activity

We screened the anti-inflammatory activity of microalgae extracts by assessing the ability to inhibit the release of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), one of the main effectors of inflammation.

Determination of Anti-Cancer Activity

We established a mature lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytic leukemia cell (THP-1) model and evaluated the anti-cancer properties by testing the anti-proliferative activity of microalgae extracts against human melanoma cells.

Determination of Antibacterial Activity

We evaluated the ability of microalgae extracts to inhibit the growth of various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria using a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test.

Determination of Anti-Biofilm

We measured the activity of microalgae extracts against biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Lifeasible performs comprehensive in vitro measurements of the functional activity of bioactive compounds from microalgae as well as a detailed chemical characterization to help you extract target compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative activities for several select applications. If you are interested in our solutions for purification and chemical characterization of microalgal bioactives, please contact us directly.