Variability in Macro- and Micronutrients of 15 Commercially Available Microalgae Powders
Fabian Sandgruber,
Annekathrin Gielsdorf,
Anja C. Baur,
Benjamin Schenz,
Sandra Marie Müller,
Tanja Schwerdtle,
Gabriele I. Stangl,
Carola Griehl,
Stefan Lorkowski,
Christine Dawczynski
Affiliations
Fabian Sandgruber
Junior Research Group Nutritional Concepts, Institute of Nutritional Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 29, 07743 Jena, Germany
Annekathrin Gielsdorf
Competence Center Algal Biotechnology, Anhalt University of Applied Science, Bernburger Straße 55, 06366 Köthen, Germany
Anja C. Baur
Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Science, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle, Germany
Benjamin Schenz
Junior Research Group Nutritional Concepts, Institute of Nutritional Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 29, 07743 Jena, Germany
Sandra Marie Müller
Department of Food Chemistry, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114–116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
Tanja Schwerdtle
Department of Food Chemistry, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114–116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
Gabriele I. Stangl
Competence Cluster for Nutrition and Cardiovascular Health (nutriCARD) Jena-Halle-Leipzig, Dornburger Str. 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
Carola Griehl
Competence Center Algal Biotechnology, Anhalt University of Applied Science, Bernburger Straße 55, 06366 Köthen, Germany
Stefan Lorkowski
Competence Cluster for Nutrition and Cardiovascular Health (nutriCARD) Jena-Halle-Leipzig, Dornburger Str. 25, 07743 Jena, Germany
Christine Dawczynski
Junior Research Group Nutritional Concepts, Institute of Nutritional Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 29, 07743 Jena, Germany
The nutrient composition of 15 commercially available microalgae powders of Arthrospira platensis, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and vulgaris, Dunaliella salina, Haematococcus pluvialis, Tetraselmis chuii, and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae was analyzed. The Dunaliella salina powders were characterized by a high content of carbohydrates, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), omega-6-polyunsaturated fatty acids (n6-PUFAs), heavy metals, and α-tocopherol, whereas the protein amounts, essential amino acids (EAAs), omega-3-PUFAs (n3-PUFAs), vitamins, and minerals were low. In the powder of Haematococcus pluvialis, ten times higher amounts of carotenoids compared to all other analyzed powders were determined, yet it was low in vitamins D and E, protein, and EAAs, and the n6/n3-PUFAs ratio was comparably high. Vitamin B12, quantified as cobalamin, was below 0.02 mg/100 g dry weight (d.w.) in all studied powders. Based on our analysis, microalgae such as Aphanizomenon and Chlorella may contribute to an adequate intake of critical nutrients such as protein with a high content of EAAs, dietary fibers, n3-PUFAs, Ca, Fe, Mg, and Zn, as well as vitamin D and E. Yet, the nutritional value of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae was slightly decreased by high contents of SFAs. The present data show that microalgae are rich in valuable nutrients, but the macro- and micronutrient profiles differ strongly between and within species.
