Alteration of the gastrointestinal microbiota of mice by edible blue-green algae: Blue-green algae alter gut microbiota

Rasmussen, H.E.; Martínez, I.; Lee, J.Y.; Walter, J.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04288.x

Cited by 32Gut microbiota and healthAnimal Nutrition and PhysiologyProbiotics and Fermented Foods

Alteration of the gastrointestinal microbiota of mice by edible blue-green algae: Blue-green algae alter gut microbiota

Rasmussen, H.E., Martínez, I., Lee, J.Y., Walter, J.·2009·Journal of Applied Microbiology

DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04288.x

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Abstract

AIMS: To characterize the effect of edible blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) on the gastrointestinal microbiota of mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a diet supplemented with 0% or 5% dried Nostoc commune, Spirulina platensis or Afanizominon flos-aquae (w/w) for 4 weeks. Molecular fingerprinting of the colonic microbiota using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed that administration of N. commune induced major alterations in colonic microbiota composition, while administration of S. platensis or A. flos-aquae had a more subtle impact. Community profile analysis revealed that administration of N. commune did not reduce microbial diversity indices of the colonic microbiota. Despite its pronounced effects on the bacterial composition in the colon, total bacterial numbers in the gut of mice fed N. commune were not reduced as assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and bacteriological culture. CONCLUSIONS: The results presented here show that administration of blue-green algae, and especially N. commune, alters colonic microbiota composition in mice with limited effects on total bacterial numbers or microbial diversity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Blue-green algae are consumed in many countries as a source of nutrients and to promote health, and they are intensively studied for their pharmaceutical value. Given the importance of the gut microbiota for many host functions, the effects of blue-green algae on gut microbial ecology revealed during this study should be considered when using them as food supplements or when studying their pharmaceutical properties.

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In mice, Spirulina feeding changes gut microbiota composition, reducing Bifidobacterium animalis and increasing Clostridium irregulare.
“The authors observed that Spirulina plantensis leads change to gut microbiota composition in mice reducing Bifidobacterium animalis and increasing Clostridium irregulare”
From Antioxidant, Immunomodulating, and Microbial‐Modulating Activities of the Sustainable and Ecofriendly Spirulina (2017) · cites this paper as [110]

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Authors: Rasmussen, H. E., Martínez, I., Lee, J. Y., & Walter, J.
Affiliations: University of Nebraska–Lincoln (US)
Corresponding author: Walter, J.
ORCID: Rasmussen, H.E.
Walter, J.
Venue: Journal of Applied Microbiology
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 2009-03-30
Volume: 107
Issue: 4
Pages: 1108-1118
ISSN: 1364-5072 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04288.x
OpenAlex: W1901775987
Cited by: 32
References: 42
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI: 0.40
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 2346 d)
Locations: Journal of Applied Microbiology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Lincoln (University of Nebraska) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Nutrition and Physiology
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
Keywords: gut microbiota, cyanobacteria, Nostoc commune, Spirulina platensis, dietary supplementation, microbial diversity, dietary supplements
MeSH terms: Cyanobacteria, Animals, Bacteria, Colon, Diet, DNA, Bacterial, Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel, Feces, Ileum, Mice, Inbred C57BL, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, Colony Count, Microbial, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Gastrointestinal Tract, Mice

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Alteration of the gastrointestinal microbiota of mice by edible blue-green algae: Blue-green algae alter gut microbiota

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