Prophylaxis for vital organs against SARS-CoV-2: an algal carotenoid nutraceutical perspective

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Abstract

Post-stationary red-celled Dunaliella has natural ani-oxidant β-carotene but overlooked as nutritionally-tunable green-celled protein. USFDA-classified on Generally-Regarded-as Safe (GRAS) status, green-colored, mid-log phase comprised 57– 80% protein (Becker, 2007; Sui and Vlaeminck, 2019). By FAO Essential Amino Acid Reference Index (EAAI), it bears human protein quality [Sui et al., 2019). Without rigid cell wall, it is well-digested [Herrero et al., 1993). It enhanced PUFAs with temperature drop (30 to 12 °C); (Salamaa et al., 2018). SARS-CoV-2 targets respiratory, gastrointestinal, central nervous systems and kidney, heart, liver causing multiple organ failures (Zhu et al., 2020). Incidence of bioactive fragments in RuBisCo sequences are related with glycine and proline contents (Selvaraj et al., 2017). High-frequency occurrence of ACE-inhibiting peptides among microalgal RuBisCo sequences confer resourceful ACE-inhibitory peptides-based anti-hypersensitive drugs from Dunaliella (Selvaraj et al., 2017). Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2)-expressing cells alongwith spike protein (S-protein) and non-structural proteins (nsp) are pin-pointed as target-cells for neutralizing antibody and antiviral peptides, proving therapeutic targets against SARS-CoV-2 (Lu et al., 2020). Ethanolic extract of green-celled, Dunaliella primolecta with pheophorbide-like compounds inhibited cytopathic effect of HSV-1 during adsorption and invasion into host cells (Ohta et al., 1998). RuBisCo protein in Dunaliella is precursor of bioactive peptides, released by selected proteolytic enzymes. Papain and Proteinase K, enzyme with wide specificity release biologically-active fragments than bromealin and chymotrypsin. Dunaliella is underutilized (as capsules, fortified-nutritional blends, natural pigments in beverages etc) as resourcive RuBisCO bioactive peptides as ACE inhibitor, activating ubiquitin, anti-amnestic, antioxidative, antithrombotic, DPP IV inhibitory activities (Sami et al., 2020).

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