Investigation of Antiviral Effect of Six Microalgal Extracts on D274 IBV Strain

Abstract

Abstract Many studies indicate that microalgae and cyanobacteria which are used in cosmetics, medicine, various industrial areas as human and animal food have been used for many alternative treatments. These species have high nutritional values due to their high protein, carbohydrate and fatty acid content. Microalgae have different morphological and physiological featuresbesides their biological properties also vary due to the metabolites they contain. The therapeutic properties of microalgae have been the subject of scientific studies many times. In the literature, it has been stated that microalgae have anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral effects and also stimulate the immune system. The interest in compounds with antiviral effects against the SARS-CoV-2, which emerged in China and spread worldwide, is more than ever. The discovery and obtaining of bioactive compounds with antiviral effects is of great importance. In this study, the antiviral effects of Arthrospira platensis, Prasinococcus sp., Nanofrustulum shiloi, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Scenedesmus sp. and Pseudanabaena sp. were investigated. The antiviral effects of the extracts that obtained from microalgae species were determined by performing on the embryonated chicken egg system using the Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) D274 strain with hemagglutination feature. Compared to other microalgae species, the results showed that Pseudanabaena sp. has highest antiviral activity and potential antiviral effect and exhibited more antiviral properties at a concentration of 10 mg/ml than at the concentration of 5 mg/kg.