The green synthesis of silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs), as well as Ag/Ag₂O/ZnO nanocomposites (NCs), using polar and apolar extracts of Chlorella vulgaris, offers a sustainable method for producing nanomaterials with tunable properties. The impact of the synthesis environment and the nanomaterials’ characteristics on cytotoxicity was evaluated by examining reactive species production and their effects on mitochondrial bioenergetic functions. Cytotoxicity assays on PC12 cells, a cell line originated from a rat pheochromocytoma, an adrenal medulla tumor, demonstrated that Ag/Ag₂O NPs synthesized with apolar (Ag/Ag₂O NPs A) and polar (Ag/Ag₂O NPs P) extracts exhibited significant cytotoxic effects, primarily driven by Ag⁺ ion release and the disruption of mitochondrial function. However, it is more likely the organic content, rather than size, influenced anticancer activity, as commercial Ag NPs, despite smaller crystallite sizes, exhibit less effective activity. ZnO NPs P showed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, correlated with higher cytotoxicity, while ZnO NPs A produced lower ROS levels, resulting in diminished cytotoxic effects. A comparative analysis revealed significant differences in LD₅₀ values and toxicity profiles. Differentiated PC12 cells showed higher resistance to ZnO, while AgNPs and Ag/Ag₂O-based materials had similar effects on both cell types. This study emphasizes the crucial role of the synthesis environment and bioactive compounds from C. vulgaris in modulating nanoparticle surface chemistry, ROS generation, and cytotoxicity. The results provide valuable insights for designing safer and more effective nanomaterials for biomedical applications, especially for targeting tumor-like cells, by exploring the relationships between nanoparticle size, polarity, capping agents, and nanocomposite structures.

Potato is a staple food crop and an important source of dietary energy. Its tubers contain several essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that contribute to the nutritional value of this important product. Recently, scientific interest has focused on purple and red potatoes that, due to the presence of anthocyanins, may be considered as natural powerful functional food. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of pigmented varieties, the types of anthocyanins accumulated and the level of both beneficial phytochemicals (vitamin C and chlorogenic acids, CGAs) and anti-nutritional compounds (glycoalkaloids) following various cooking methods. The analyses described the presence of a mix of several acylated anthocyanins in pigmented tubers along with high level of CGA. The amount of antioxidants was differently affected by heat treatments according to the type of molecule and the cooking methods used. In some cases, the beneficial compounds were made more available by heat treatments for the analytical detection as compared to raw materials. Data reported here describe both the agronomic properties of these pigmented varieties and the effects of food processing methods on bioactive molecules contained in this natural functional food. They may provide useful information for breeders aiming to develop new varieties that could include desirable agronomical and industrial processing traits.

Arthrospira platensis holds promise for biotechnological applications due to its rapid growth and ability to produce valuable bioactive compounds like phycocyanin (PC). This study explores the impact of salinity and brewery wastewater (BWW) on the mixotrophic cultivation of A. platensis. Utilizing BWW as an organic carbon source and seawater (SW) for salt stress, we aim to optimize PC production and biomass composition. Under mixotrophic conditions with 2% BWW and SW, A. platensis showed enhanced biomass productivity, reaching a maximum of 3.70 g L⁻¹ and significant increases in PC concentration. This study also observed changes in biochemical composition, with elevated protein and carbohydrate levels under salt stress that mimics the use of seawater. Mixotrophic cultivation with BWW and SW also influenced the FAME profile, enhancing the content of C16:0 and C18:1 FAMES. The purity (EP of 1.15) and yield (100 mg g⁻¹) of PC were notably higher in mixotrophic cultures, indicating the potential for commercial applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This research underscores the benefits of integrating the use of saline water with waste valorization in microalgae cultivation, promoting sustainability and economic efficiency in biotechnological processes.

This study explores the mixotrophic cultivation of Limnospira platensis using dairy byproducts, specifically scotta whey (SW), buttermilk wastewater (BMW), and dairy wastewater (DWW), to promote biomass production and enhance the composition of bioactive compounds. By assessing various concentrations (1%, 2%, and 4% v v⁻¹) of these byproducts in a modified growth medium, this study aims to evaluate their effect on L. platensis growth, phycocyanin (C-PC) content, and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles. The results show that the optimal biomass production was achieved with 2% scotta and dairy wastewater, reaching maximum concentrations of 3.30 g L⁻¹ and 3.19 g L⁻¹, respectively. Mixotrophic cultivation led to increased C-PC yields, especially in buttermilk and dairy wastewater treatments, highlighting the potential for producing valuable pigments. Additionally, the FAME profiles indicated minimal changes compared to the control, with oleic and γ-linolenic acids being dominant in mixotrophic conditions. These findings support the viability of utilizing dairy byproducts for sustainable L. platensis cultivation, contributing to a circular bioeconomy while producing bioactive compounds of nutritional and commercial interest.

This study investigates the effects of salinity and pH modulation on the growth, biochemical composition, and bioactive compound production of Limnospira platensis under photoautotrophic batch cultivation. Cultures were grown in cylindrical photobioreactors using modified Jourdan medium, with controlled variations in NaCl concentrations (0.2–10 g L⁻¹) and pH levels (9–11) to simulate moderate environmental stress. Maximum biomass productivity (1.596 g L⁻¹) was achieved at pH 11 with 10 g L⁻¹ NaCl, indicating that L. platensis can tolerate elevated stress conditions. Phycocyanin (PC) content peaked at 9.54 g 100 g⁻¹ dry weight (DW) at pH 10 and 5 g L⁻¹ NaCl, triple the value at pH 9, highlighting optimal physiological conditions for pigment synthesis. Protein fraction dominated biomass composition (40–60%), while total lipid content increased significantly under high pH and salinity. Polyphenol content reached 19.5 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) gDW⁻¹ at pH 10 with 0.2 g L⁻¹ NaCl, correlating with the highest antioxidant activity (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity). These findings underscore the potential of L. platensis as a valuable source of proteins, pigments, and antioxidants, and emphasize the utility of moderate environmental stress in enhancing biomass quality, defined by protein, pigment, and antioxidant enrichment. While this study focused on physiological responses, future research will apply omics approaches to elucidate stress-response mechanisms. This study provides insights into optimizing cultivation strategies for large-scale production exploitable in food, pharmaceutical, and bio-based industries.

The rising global focus on healthy lifestyles and environmental sustainability has prompted interest in repurposing plant-based by-products for health benefits. With increasing life expectancy, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases—characterized by complex, multifactorial mechanisms such as abnormal protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation—continues to grow. Medicinal plants, with their diverse bioactive compounds, offer promising therapeutic avenues for such conditions. Myrtus communis L., a Mediterranean plant primarily used in liquor production, generates significant waste rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study explores the neuroprotective potential of Myrtus berry by-products in a cellular model of neurodegeneration. Using PC12 cells exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), we assessed cell viability via MTT assay and measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) production using DCFDA fluorescence. Additionally, we analyzed the expression of genes linked to oxidative stress and neuronal function, including AChE, PON2, Grin1, Gabrd, and c-fos, by RT-PCR. Our findings reveal that Myrtus extract significantly protects against 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity, reduces ROS levels, and modulates the expression of key stress-related genes, underscoring its potential as a neuroprotective agent. These results highlight the therapeutic promise of Myrtus extracts in mitigating neurodegenerative processes, paving the way for future interventions.