Unveiling the bioactive potential of microalgae: Integrative analysis of nutritional composition and peptidomic signatures

This study aims to identify potential bioactive peptide in different microalgae species. Proteins were extracted by mechanical disruption, digested, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Bioactive peptides or motifs with previously reported bioactivities (antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antioxidant potential) were successfully identified and quantified in Chlorella vulgaris, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Dunaliella salina, Nannochloropsis oculata and Arthrospira platensis, respectively. Notably, the antidiabetic peptide IPR was detected in P. tricornutum. Additionally, the study presents a comprehensive biochemical characterization of five microalgae species. A. platensis contained the highest protein (71.6 g/100 g dry matter), while N. oculata and P. tricornutum were richest in lipids (∼17 g/100 g d.m.) enriched in ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids. The amino acid profiles indicated favorable essential amino acid indices across all species. Distinct pigment signatures included C-phycocyanin in A. platensis, fucoxanthin in P. tricornutum, violaxanthin in N. oculata, lutein in D. salina and C. vulgaris, and β-carotene across species.