Optimised extraction of [beta]-carotene from Spirulina platensis and hypoglycaemic effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

• Published in: Journal of the science of food and agriculture 2016-03, Vol.96 (5), p.1783
• Main Authors: Ma, Qiu-Yue, Fang, Ming, Zheng, Jia-Hui, Ren, Di-Feng, Lu, Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Diabetes; Rodents; Vitamin A
• ISSN: 0022-5142; 1097-0010
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7286

BACKGROUND Spirulina platensis is rich in [beta]-carotene, which possesses many important biological activities. This study investigated the ultrasound-assisted extraction and purification of [beta]-carotene from Spirulina platensis by using response surface methodology (RSM), determined its antioxidant capacity in vitro and explored its hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic mice. RESULTS The raw [beta]-carotene extract with a concentration of 1942.14±10.03µg mL-1 was obtained at the optimised condition by RSM (0.40 of the solid-liquid ratio, 51% of the extraction power, and 17min of the extraction time), and the purity of evaporated [beta]-carotene extract reached 816.32±10.57mgg-1 after purified by a NKA-9 resin with a sampling and elution rate of 1 mL min-1. The [beta]-carotene extract scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl free radicals with the highest ratios of 44±0.26% and 35±0.45% respectively, and exhibited strong inhibiting capacity on anti-lipid peroxidation. The blood glucose level of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice was significantly reduced from 15.81±1.71mmolL-1 to 8.10±0.88mmolL-1 after 10 d administration of the [beta]-carotene extract [100mgkg-1 body weight (BW)], and the increased food and water intakes in the diabetic mice were also significantly relieved after [beta]-carotene treatment. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that extraction of [beta]-carotene from Spirulina platensis had potential prospects in scaled-up industrialisation and healthcare applications. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry