Natural Antioxidants Material

8 Frequently Asked Questions About Microalgae Haematococcus Pluvialis

What Is Haematococcus Pluvialis ?
Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae) is a green, unicellular fresh water microalga with global distribution in various watery habitats. The algae is a promising source of bioactive substances, such as carotenoids, proteins, and fatty acids and is currently recognized as the richest and most promising source for the commercial production of natural astaxanthin, the most powerful antioxidant in nature. Haematococcus pluvialis produces astaxanthin to protect itself from stressful environmental conditions. Astaxanthin has important applications in the nutraceuticals, cosmetics, food, and aquaculture industries.

What is the Biochemical composition of Haematococcus Pluvialis?
Haematococcus pluvialis is a rich source of astaxanthin, and also contains polysaccharides, vitamins, dietary fiber, minerals, fatty acids and proteins.

How is Haematococcus Pluvialis cultivated?
Haematococcus pluvialis is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world and can be found in fresh and saltwater environments. The algae grow best in warm, sunny conditions and does not require any special care or feeding. Once it has been harvested, Haematococcus pluvialis can be dried, extracted and powdered for use in supplements, or added to other products such as cosmetics and food. Because it is all natural and sustainable, Haematococcus pluvialis is an increasingly popular choice for those looking for a healthy, sustainable alternative.

What causes the algae to produce astaxanthin?
Having survived for billions of years, Haematococcus pluvialis is arguably one of the most resilient organisms in nature and the best source of astaxanthin. Haematococcus Pluvialis produces astaxanthin to protect itself from harsh environmental conditions. During the summer, when conditions become stressful and ponds begin to dry up, astaxanthin enables the microalga to preserve its DNA undamaged, ready to grow again when the next rain comes, even if that takes years.

What is the cultivation process of the algae?
Commercial production of Haematococcus pluvialis must mimic the natural growth cycle of microalgae to allow for creation of a completely pure product. The cultivation process of Haematococcus Pluvialis mainly consists of two stages to obtain high biomass and astaxanthin yield. During the first stage, or green stage, cells continuously divide and proliferate to gain biomass. Therefore, full nutrient medium and moderate light intensity, temperature and pH are required. The second stage refers to a reddening, when the algae produce the astaxanthin. To enter this phase, unfavorable environmental conditions must occur, such as nitrogen reduction, high light intensity, salinity, pH changes, or extreme temperatures.

What are the production methods to grow microalgae?
Haematococcus pluvialis can be cultivated in numerous ways, such as photobioreactor (PBR), open ponds, or plastic bags. The main factors in selecting a cultivation method are: capital and operational costs, cultivation area, climatic conditions (light, temperature, rain), the possibility of contamination, water availability, level of automation and system efficiency. Although Haematococcus pluvialis can be found all over the world, commercial production must mimic the natural growth cycle of microalgae to produce a product that is completely pure. Harvesting astaxanthin from microalgae on a commercial scale is a highly technical and skilled process. Indoor cultivation uses artificial lightning, which inflicts an environmental burden, especially if fossil fuels are used to produce electricity. Additionally, optimized environmental parameters, such as clean air and strong sun radiation, allow for achieving high biomass growth and, consequently, astaxanthin accumulation.

What affects the quality of the Haematococcus Pluvialis extract?
There are several characteristics of algae, including their ability to grow under varying conditions and the ability to absorb contaminants from the medium where they grow. Thus, microalgae are determined by the quality of the water, nutrients, and equipment used for their cultivation and processing.

Haematococcus pluvialis can be cultivated in numerous ways, including open ponds, plastic bags, and photobioreactors (PBRs). Microalgae cultivation should be fully controlled, using only food-grade ingredients and equipment, and conducted in a way that prevents both biological and chemical contamination.

What is Haematococcus Pluvialis extract good for?
There is a high concentration of astaxanthin in Haematococcus pluvialis powder. Aside from its antioxidant properties, astaxanthin also has anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties. The body can access astaxanthin through many organs and tissues, including muscles, the skin, the lungs, and the heart. In addition, it can cross the blood-brain and blood-retina barriers, resulting in a variety of health benefits.

Consequently, Haematococcus pluvialis extract has become an important natural source of astaxanthin. The final product is a dark red oil or powder that can be used in capsules, tablets, and gummies, as well as added to other foods and beverages.

Medicinal importance of Guava Leaf Extract

Psidium guajava (guava) is well known tropic tree which is abundantly grown for fruit. Many countries have a long history of using guava for medicinal purposes. This plant finds applications for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, gastroenteritis, hypertension, diabetes, caries and pain relief and for improvement in locomotors coordination. Its leaf's extract is being used as a medicine in cough, diarrhea, and oral ulcers and in some swollen gums wound. Its fruit is rich in vitamins A, C, iron, phosphorus and calcium and minerals. It contains high content of organic and inorganic compounds like secondary metabolites e.g. antioxidants, polyphenols, antiviral compounds, anti-inflammatory compounds.

The phenolic compounds in guava help to cure cancerous cells and prevent skin aging before time. The presence of terpenes, caryophyllene oxide and p-selinene produces relaxation effects. Guava leaves contain many compounds which act as fungistatic and bacteriostatic agents. Guava has a high content of important antioxidants and has radio-protective ability. Quercetin is considered as most active antioxidant in the guava leaves and is responsible for its spasmolytic activity. Its ethyl acetate extract can stop the germ infection and thymus production. Guava possesses anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-plaque and anti-mutagenic activities. Guava extract shows antinociceptive activity and is also effective in liver damage inflammation and serum production. Ethanolic extract of guava can increase the sperm quality as well as quantity and can be used for the treatment of infertile males.

Psidium guajava L. is consumed not only as food but also as folk medicine in subtropical areas all over the world due to its pharmacologic activities. Medicinal plants find a very important place in medical systems almost in the entire world. These observations are reflected from traditional knowledge. It is well known that guava is frequently employed in numerous parts of the world for the cure of a lot of sickness like diarrhea reducing fever, dysentery, gastroenteritis, hypertension, diabetes, caries, pain relief and wounds.

The countries which have a long history of using medicinal plants are also using guava at big level like Mexico, Africa, Asia and Central America. With its medicinal uses it is also used as food and in the preparation of food products. It is also used in house construction and toys making. Guava contains high content of organic and inorganic compounds like secondary metabolites e.g. antioxidant, polyphenols, antiviral compounds and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Guava has a lot of compounds which have anti cancerous activities. It has a higher number of vitamins and minerals. Phenolic compounds like flavonoids also find an important place in the guava. Lycopene and flavonoids are important antioxidants. They help in the cure of cancerous cells and help to prevent skin aging before time. Guava can affect the myocardium inotropism . Guava skin extract can control level of diabetes after days treatment.

Antimicrobial activity
Guava has a high antimicrobial activity. Guava leaf's extract doses can reduce the amount of cough due to its anti-cough activity. Aqueous, chloroform and methanol extract of leaves can reduce the growth of different bacteria. Due to its anti-cough activity it is recommended in the condition of cough.

Guava leaves have high antibacterial activity in extracts that can inhibit the growth of S. aureus. Plant leaf and bark methanolic extracts of P. guajava have high antimicrobial activity. These extracts can inhibit the Bacillus and Salmonella bacteria. Methanolic extract of guava contains a remarkable antimicrobial activity. Species of Bacillus and Salmonella bacteria can be controlled by these extracts. It also has anti-plaque activity due to the presence of active flavonoids compounds.

The flavonoid compounds and their derivatives can be isolated from the guava. These compounds can inhibit the growth of different bacteria in different dilutions. Terpinene and pinene are present into the aqueous extract of plant's leaves which shows antimicrobial activity. Due to bacteriostatic effects on pathogenic bacteria it is also used as medicine in cough, diarrhea, oral ulcers and in some swollen gums wound.

Antidiarrheal activity
Diarrhea is one of most common and well recognized health problem and a global issue. It is very common even in developed countries. It is estimated that about 2.2 million people die annually by diarrhea; most of them, are children or infants .

Guava leaves have quercetin-3-arabinoside and quercetin which can be isolated from leaves. It controls the muscular tone. Quercetin repressed intestinal contraction encouraged by enhanced absorption of calcium. Quercetin has a strong effect on ileum. It is thought that quercetin in guava leaf are responsible for its spasmolytic activity. Guava has high cytotoxicity.

Guava can be used to treat the diarrhea caused by the E. coli or S. aureus toxins. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Psidium guajava at a concentration of 80 g/ml in an organ bath, display more than 70% embarrassment of acetylcholine and/or KCl solution-induced reduction of isolated guinea- pig ileum. Locomotor coordination can be improved by the ethyl acetate extract of guava fruit.