Extraction of nutraceuticals from Spirulina (blue-green alga): A bioorganic chemistry practice using thin-layer chromatography

Irma Herrera Bravo de Laguna; Francisco J Toledo Marante; Kristerson R Luna-Freire; Roberto Mioso

doi:10.1002/bmb.20882

Extraction of nutraceuticals from Spirulina (blue-green alga): A bioorganic chemistry practice using thin-layer chromatography

Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2015 Sep-Oct;43(5):366-9. doi: 10.1002/bmb.20882. Epub 2015 Aug 31.

Authors

Irma Herrera Bravo de Laguna¹, Francisco J Toledo Marante², Kristerson R Luna-Freire³, Roberto Mioso⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Spain.
² Department of Chemistry, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Spain.
³ Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-970, Brazil.
⁴ Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-970, Brazil.

PMID: 26331489
DOI: 10.1002/bmb.20882

Abstract

Spirulina is a blue-green alga (cyanobacteria) with high nutritive value. This work provides an innovative and original approach to the consideration of a bioorganic chemistry practice, using Spirulina for the separation of phytochemicals with nutraceutical characteristics via thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates. The aim is to bring together current research, theory, and practice, and always in accordance with pedagogical ideas.

Keywords: bioorganic chemistry; chromatography; discovery learning; research; undergraduate education.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Chemistry, Organic / education*
Chromatography, Thin Layer / methods*
Dietary Supplements / analysis*
Humans
Laboratories
Problem-Based Learning / methods*
Spirulina / chemistry
Universities