Blue algae

Definition of Blue Algae

Among the prokaryotic and autotrophic unicellular bacteria, the blue algae stand out, known more commonly as cyanobacteria and scientifically as Cyanobacteria, Cianofita, Myxoficee, Schizoficee or, again, Cianoficee. [adapted from Reasoned dictionary of herbal medicine and phytotherapy, by A. Bruni]

Considering that, in botany, it is defined as alga a eukaryotic organism - unicellular or multicellular - belonging to the kingdom of protists, the name "blue algae" referring to the Cyanoficee does not seem entirely correct: so much so that they are currently included in the "taxon" of cyanobacteria, Regno Monere. In any case, the term, albeit improper, has entered fully into the common language and, by convention, we will talk about algae blue also in this informative article.

General description

The blue (or green-blue) algae are commonly called such to recall their color, rendered by the phycocyanin, greenish or bluish pigment that perfectly camouflages the bright green color of chlorophyll; in addition to these pigments, it is possible to detect allophycocyanins and phycoherethrins in cyanobacteria, responsible, respectively, for the blue and red shades of the algae in question. Again, among the other pigments that can be found, there are: zeaxanthin, β-carotene, myxoxanthophyll and echinone. [taken from http://it.wikipedia.org/]
The blue algae represent the most ancient life forms ever, dating back to the Precambrian period (corresponding to over 3 billion years ago): it is believed probable that the blue algae have conquered the primacy of being the very first colonizers of the Earth, in able to produce its own nutrition thanks to photosynthesis. Studies carried out on fossils have brought to light important considerations: comparing the fossils of ancient bacteria with others of blue algae (eg Ainimikiea) their particular similarity was observed. [adapted from Plants. Origin and evolution , by A. Garassino]
The blue algae have some fundamental peculiarities:

• The cyanophycin granules constitute the reserve substance: it is a compound characterized by aspartic acid (or asparagine) and arginine, two amino acids present in equal quantities.
• The blue algae, in symbiosis with the fungi, form lichens
• The blue algae fix the atmospheric nitrogen in the heterocysts, special cells used not only for nitrogen fixing, but also for the conversion of elemental nitrogen into ammonia.

[adapted from Food plant botany, by C. Rinallo]

Botanical analysis

More than 2,000 species of blue algae have currently been identified, classified into 5 major systems according to their morphological structure. In any case, some authors do not approve the classification of algal species, as often happens, moreover, for many systematics of prokaryotic organisms.
We have seen that blue algae are prokaryotic (nucleusless) immobile unicellular microorganisms. Blue algae have a gram-negative cell wall. They live as single cells but, more often, they group together forming real cell colonies of aggregation; tant "is that the blue algae can organize themselves in branched, unbranched filamentous structures or in cenobia (small permanent or temporary colonies).
The blue algae have a thylakoid membrane, in which photosynthesis takes place.
As for the red algae, the blue ones also contribute to the formation of carbonate platforms: thanks to photosynthesis, they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, favoring the precipitation of calcium bicarbonate (CaCO3).
As reserve substances, in addition to the aforementioned cyanophycin, there are also traces of polyphosphates (phosphorus reserve, known as volutin granules) and higher quantities of starch.
All varieties of blue algae are capable of producing cyanotoxins (whose name derives from cyanobacteria): these are toxins useful to the algae themselves as a defense from other unicellular algae, protozoa or potentially dangerous microorganisms.
Sometimes, the ingestion of some toxins - undermined in fish or molluscs - could give a fatal outcome to man (eg. BMMA toxin, produced by blue algae belonging to the genus Nostoc).

Blue algae: replication

Blue algae are ubiquitous aquatic organisms: they are found in thermal or cold waters, and in sweet or salty ones. Among the particularly favorable elements for the replication of blue algae are the alkalinity of the water and the high temperatures.
Being prokaryotes, blue algae have asexual reproduction by splitting.

Employments

Some species of cyanobacteria (eg. Arthrospira platensis, Arthrospira maxima Kütz, etc.) are grown for phytotherapeutic purposes: after cultivation and freeze-drying, blue algae can be used for the formulation of supplements, as some species represent a protein mine. Arthrospira platensis, in particular, it is also exploited for its richness in mineral salts, vitamins and gamma-linolenic acid (essential fatty acid); this algal species also contains a modest amount of vitamin B12, which is not used in phytotherapy since it is found in a non-bioavailable form.
Starting from some recent hypotheses formulated by the scientific community, it seems that the blue alga Arthrospira platensis (which together with the Arthrospira maxima it is found in supplements generically known as "spirulina") has potential antioxidant, immunostimulating and antitumor properties: in any case, further confirmations will have to be awaited to demonstrate the theory. The same goes for Aphanizomenon flos-aquae extracted from upper Klamath lake.

Summary

Blue algae: definition Prokaryotic and autotrophic unicellular bacteria included in the order (taxon) of cyanobacteria, Monere Kingdom Blue algae: synonyms Cyanobacteria, Cyanophyte, Myxoficee, Schizoficee or Cyanoficee Blue algae: pigments

• Phycocyanin: greenish or bluish pigment that perfectly camouflages the bright green color of chlorophyll
• Allophycocyanins responsible for the blue shades
• Phycoerethrins responsible for red shades
• Other pigments: zeaxanthin, β-carotene, myxoxanthophyll and echinone

Blue algae: general description

• Most ancient life forms ever, dating back to the Precambrian period
• The very first colonizers of the Earth, able to produce their own nourishment thanks to photosynthesis
• Particular similarity between ancient bacteria and blue algae (eg. Ainimikiea)

Blue algae: botanical analysis

• 2,000 species of blue algae, classified into 5 major systems
• Prokaryotic immovable unicellular microorganisms (without nucleus)
• Gram-negative cell wall
• They live as single cells but, more often, they group together forming real cell colonies of aggregation
• Organization in branched, unbranched filamentous structures or in cenobia
• Thylacoid membrane, in which photosynthesis takes place
• They contribute to the formation of carbonate platforms

Blue algae: reserve substances and toxins

• Reserve substance: cyanophycin, polyphosphates (phosphorus reserve, known as volutin granules), starch
• Toxins: cyanotoxins (defense from other unicellular algae, protozoa or from potentially dangerous microorganisms)

Blue algae: natural environment and replication

• Ubiquitous aquatic organisms (thermal or cold waters, fresh or salt waters)
• Particularly favorable elements for replication: alkalinity of water and high temperatures
• Reproduction: asexual by splitting

Blue algae: uses Some species of cyanobacteria are grown for phytotherapeutic purposes:
cultivation → freeze drying → formulation of protein supplements
Arthrospira platensis: blue alga also exploited for its richness in mineral salts, vitamins and gamma-linolenic acid, to which potential antioxidant, immunostimulating and anticancer properties are ascribed
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