纤细裸藻培养及其产物功能的研究与展望

Advances of studies on culture and product functions of Euglena gracilis

摘要:

纤细裸藻(Euglena gracilis)是一类介于动物和植物之间的单细胞真核生物，在自然界中分布广泛。纤细裸藻兼具动植物细胞的特征，可进行光合自养、混养和异养培养，细胞内含有丰富的营养物质。近年来随着对纤细裸藻生物特性和胞内组分的深入研究，发现其在医药、食品以及饲料方面具有重要的应用价值，在提高免疫力、抗炎以及降低尿酸等方面的功效非常值得开发，特别是纤细裸藻特有的裸藻多糖等在生物医药领域具有广阔的应用前景。纤细裸藻作为食品原料、食品添加剂、饲料添加剂以及化妆品原料在国内外已经获得相关机构的认证，国外尤其是日本已经开发出系列产品。然而，国内对纤细裸藻的研究及开发还处于起步阶段，发展空间巨大，且目前关于纤细裸藻培养与功能研究及潜在的应用的综述报道较少。本文系统地介绍了纤细裸藻培养和生产的国内外研究现状，以及纤细裸藻粉与裸藻多糖活性功能的国内外研究结果，并对纤细裸藻应用开发存在的问题以及未来可能的发展方向进行了展望，为进一步建立和优化大规模且高效异养培养工艺、开发具有特定功能的纤细裸藻相关产品等提供科学依据。

Abstract:

Euglena gracilis is a unicellular eukaryote between animal and plant cells, which is widely distributed in nature. E. gracilis has both plant and animal characteristics, and can grow photoautotrophically, heterotrophically and mixotrophically. E. gracilis also features on abundant and various cellular composition. Recently, extensive researches on unique cellular components of E. gracilis have revealed its application in the field of medicine, food, and feedstuff, in terms of improving immunity, fighting inflammation, and lowering uric acid levels. The application prospects of paramylon in biomedical area were also discovered. As food ingredients, food additives, feedstuffs and cosmetic ingredients, E. gracilis has been certified domestically and overseas. A series of products have been developed overseas, especially in Japan. However, the research and development of E. gracilis are still in its infancy in China, and there is huge space for development. At present, the research and potential application of cultivation and product functions of E. gracilis have been rarely reviewed. This review systematically examines both the domestic and abroad research of cultivation and production of E. gracilis, as well as the biological activity of E. gracilis powder and paramylon. The existing problems in the application, exploitation, and possible development direction of E. gracilis in the future are prospected. This review might be useful for establishing and optimizing large-scale and efficient heterotrophic technology, as well as developing related products of E. gracilis with specific functions.