Skin repair is a global concern that requires multifunctional wound healing platforms that accelerate healing and shield the wound from external contamination. Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a natural protein that shows favorable characteristics for skin repair. The present study aims to investigate the synergistic wound healing potential of probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus and C-PC hydrogel formulation. C-PC whey protein nanofibrils (WPINF) were first prepared and evaluated for particle size, % entrapment efficiency, and zeta potential. Selected WPINF was used to prepare several hydrogel formulations which were further evaluated for physical properties and in vitro C-PC release. Formulation with acceptable physical properties and C-PC release was studied for oxidative stress markers, antioxidant biomarkers, and wound healing effect in animal models. WPINF had acceptable particle size (26.59–153.5 nm), % EE (65.76–95.98%), and zeta potential (22.3–26.1 mV). The developed hydrogels exhibited neutral pH values (6.97–7.10), optimal spreadability (5.60–7.50 cm), and viscosity (123–209 Pa). HEC-based hydrogel (F1) showed superior C-PC release which was found to follow Higuchi diffusion. In vivo, hydrogel formulations (with and without probiotic) showed significantly reduced oxidative stress markers, with MDA reduced by 54.76–98.58% and antioxidant biomarkers (GSH and TAC) ensuring successful delivery of therapeutic compounds. Histological analysis showed improved re-epithelialization, reduced inflammation, and well-formed granulation tissue in treated groups, with probiotic-C-PC group demonstrating additional immunomodulatory effects. The study highlights promising potential of C-PC-probiotic hydrogels as a safe and effective biotherapeutics for wound healing, supporting their advancement into further clinical investigations to validate their efficacy in humans.

This study aimed to enhance Nile Tilapia growth using Chlorella vulgaris as a food additive in the biofloc system. Different concentrations of C. vulgaris were tested in four different treatments compared to control. The growth rate of Nile tilapia was parallel with C. vulgaris addition to the treatments. The best productive value (growth performance) for Nile Tilapia was recorded in T1 that was distinctly superior to the other treatments. The use of C. vulgaris in the biofloc system decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) values; whereas the most significant value was observed at T1. Phytoplankton structure in Nile Tilapia gut was predominated with C. vulgaris representing 67.7% of the total phytoplankton crop. Statistical analysis also approved that the most important factor affecting Nile Tilapia growth was C. vulgaris addition, and some other chemical variables that affect phytoplankton’s growth such as PO4. In addition, muscle protein ratio of Nile Tilapia increased with increasing C. vulgaris concentrations. Our data concluded that increasing C. vulgaris concentration improved the growth performance of Nile Tilapia under the biofloc condition.

Manzala Lake, the largest Egyptian northern lake, suffers from continuous deterioration as it receives huge amounts of different wastes. This study evaluated the abiotic and biotic conditions of the lake water (e.g., physicochemical variables, bacterial communities, and phytoplankton structures and their biochemical contents) from 11 sites along the lake in 2020. The results revealed that the increase in phytoplankton densities and chlorophyll (a) in winter combined with increased nutrient contents. The highest concentrations of the biochemical contents of phytoplankton and the highest enumerations of bacterial indicators were recorded during summer. The sites close to the inlets of drains recorded a complete depletion of oxygen and a high ammonia content. The highest phytoplankton standing crop was recorded in the middle sector of the lake. Despite the efforts of the Egyptian government to rehabilitate Manzala Lake since 2017, the results showed an increase in pollution levels at various sites and the continued deterioration of the lake's ecological status. These results confirm the importance of increasing the efforts to restore the environmental health status of the lake, primarily by treating wastewater before it is discharged into the lake.

Wadi El Natrun is an elongated narrow depression in the Western Desert of Egypt. The depression characterized by many ancient alkaline salt lakes. These lakes are filled with water in winter and dried up in summer. Recently, some lakes become permanently dried, while others become submerged throughout the year as El Bieda Lake. El Bieda Lake has undergone ecological changes due to the prolonged extraction of minerals and the continual discharging of freshwater. This study investigates the recent biotic and abiotic changes of this lake and discusses its fisheries opportunities. The lake’s water is well-oxygenated, rich with different inorganic nutrients, and characterized by a low salinity. Sodium and chloride ion concentrations are lower than the equivalent surface seawater, while magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulfate, and bicarbonate ions are higher. The lake has low plankton species richness with high biomass and high nutritional values. More recently, two cichlid species, Oreochromis aureus and Coptodon zillii, have colonized the lake. Summer characterized by a very low mortality for Oreochromis aureus and a poor representation of Coptodon zillii. However, both species shared the catch the rest of the year. The high biomass and nutritional quality of plankton communities, as well as the dense phytobenthic film, indicate that the lake is currently below its carrying capacity. The well-oxygenated water, high biomass of plankton and phytobenthic diatoms, and the expected changes in salinity suggest that introducing the euryhaline, commercially valuable, and fast-growing Mugil cephalus or Chelon ramada in El Bieda Lake is highly advisable.

C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is a promising anti-aging nutraceutical due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its instability under acidic conditions limits its efficacy, necessitating advanced formulation strategies. This study evaluated the anti-aging potential of novel enteric C-PC nanoparticles (NPs) co-delivered with Pediococcus pentosaceus in a D-galactose-induced aging model in male Wistar rats. C-PC was extracted from microalgal biomass and encapsulated into Eudragit ^® S100 nanoparticles. Particle size, encapsulation efficiency, zeta potential, pH-responsive release, and morphology were characterized. Aging was induced in male Wistar rats using D-galactose. Oxidative stress markers, neurotransmitters, acetylcholine metabolism, behavioral performance, and brain histopathology were assessed following treatment with C-PC nanoparticles with or without probiotic co-supplementation. C-PC was extracted from 2.5 g dry biomass with a yield of 31.02% and a purity ratio (A ₆₂₀ /A ₂₈₀ ) of 0.704, then successfully encapsulated into Eudragit ^® S100 nanoparticles (211.4 ± 8.1 nm; encapsulation efficiency 63.7 ± 4.16%; zeta potential − 20.4 ± 3.7 mV) exhibiting pH-responsive release and uniform nanoscale morphology. D-galactose-induced aging markedly increased lipid peroxidation (MDA + 362.8%), depleted antioxidant defenses (GSH − 78.96%, TAC − 79.22%), reduced monoaminergic neurotransmitters (48.11–52.86%), decreased acetylcholine (− 66.12%), elevated acetylcholinesterase activity (+ 163.45%), impaired cognition and motor function (T-maze + 136%, beam balance + 69.6%), and caused severe brain histopathology. Treatment with C-PC nanoparticles, alone or combined with P. pentosaceus , significantly alleviated oxidative stress (MDA 112.2–196.4%, GSH 20.6–38.8%, TAC 42.9–50.7%), restored neurotransmitters (16–40.3%), improved cholinergic balance, enhanced behavioral performance, and preserved brain structure. These preclinical findings introduce C-PC nanoparticle–probiotic co-supplementation as a promising nutraceutical strategy against aging-associated neurodegeneration.