Toxicological, phytochemical, and antibacterial assessment of Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis poder in albino rats. a preliminary study

Resumen

Objectives. To describe acute toxicity, antibacterial activity and phytochemical assessment of Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis powders. Material and Methods. FeCl3 test, Wagner test, Keller Killiani test, frothing test, alkaline solution and dilute acid; concentrated sulphuric acid were used for phytochemical analysis. Antibacterial screening of the extracts was conducted using the disc gel diffusion method in E. coli, S. aureus and B. cereus clinical strains. In order to evaluate acute toxicity and its effects on haematological and biochemical parameters; 15 albino rats were grouped into five groups: I (powder of aqueous extract of Chlorella vulgaris), II (powder of methanol extract of Chlorella vulgaris), III (powder of aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis), IV (powder of methanol extract of Spirulina platensis) and V (control). The dosage was 25g/day/rat. After six days, haematological and biochemical parameters and gross pathologic changes were evaluated. Results. Alkaloids and flavonoids were detected from the methanol extracts of both Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira). Only cardiac glycosides and steroids were detected from Spirulina’s extracts. Chlorella vulgaris extracts significantly inhibited B. cereus. Rats fed with Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis powder showed an increase in white blood cell counts and haemoglobin level compared to negative control rats (p<0.001). Serum glumatic oxalate
transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) had normal values but
significative differences between groups (p<0.001). Conclusion. This powder is rich in bioactive
phytochemicals but only Chlorella’s extracts have shown antibacterial effect. Signs of toxicity weren’t
found in any parameter.