Wide Range Applications of Spirulina: From Earth to Space Missions
Giacomo Fais,
Alessia Manca,
Federico Bolognesi,
Massimiliano Borselli,
Alessandro Concas,
Marco Busutti,
Giovanni Broggi,
Pierdanilo Sanna,
Yandy Marx Castillo-Aleman,
René Antonio Rivero-Jiménez,
Antonio Alfonso Bencomo-Hernandez,
Yendry Ventura-Carmenate,
Michela Altea,
Antonella Pantaleo,
Gilberto Gabrielli,
Federico Biglioli,
Giacomo Cao,
Giuseppe Giannaccare
Affiliations
Giacomo Fais
Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Alessia Manca
Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Federico Bolognesi
Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, University of Milan, Via Antonio di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy
Massimiliano Borselli
Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Alessandro Concas
Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Marco Busutti
Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Giovanni Broggi
Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, University of Milan, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
Pierdanilo Sanna
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Yandy Marx Castillo-Aleman
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
René Antonio Rivero-Jiménez
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Antonio Alfonso Bencomo-Hernandez
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Yendry Ventura-Carmenate
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Michela Altea
TOLO Green, Via San Damiano 2, 20122 Milan, Italy
Antonella Pantaleo
Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Gilberto Gabrielli
TOLO Green, Via San Damiano 2, 20122 Milan, Italy
Federico Biglioli
Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, University of Milan, Via Antonio di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy
Giacomo Cao
Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Giuseppe Giannaccare
Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Spirulina is the most studied cyanobacterium species for both pharmacological applications and the food industry. The aim of the present review is to summarize the potential benefits of the use of Spirulina for improving healthcare both in space and on Earth. Regarding the first field of application, Spirulina could represent a new technology for the sustainment of long-duration manned missions to planets beyond the Lower Earth Orbit (e.g., Mars); furthermore, it could help astronauts stay healthy while exposed to a variety of stress factors that can have negative consequences even after years. As far as the second field of application, Spirulina could have an active role in various aspects of medicine, such as metabolism, oncology, ophthalmology, central and peripheral nervous systems, and nephrology. The recent findings of the capacity of Spirulina to improve stem cells mobility and to increase immune response have opened new intriguing scenarios in oncological and infectious diseases, respectively.
