Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Iranian Biotechnology Society Agricultural Biotechnology Journal 2228-6705 18 3 2026 08 23 Study of amino acids and the functional properties of two types of algae (Arthrospira platensis and a local Arthrospira sp) Study of amino acids and the functional properties of two types of algae (Arthrospira platensis and a local Arthrospira sp) 231 250 5414 10.22103/jab.2026.27007.1871 FA Lina Sameer Mohammed Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq. 0000-0002-0147-2611 Mahmood Shakir Hashim Marine science center, University of Basrah, Iraq. Mujtaba AbdulWahab Taher Ankush Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq. 0000-0002-4703-2224 Journal Article 2026 04 14 ObjectiveAlgae have the ability to grow rapidly, utilize light energy and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and produce a greater amount of biomass per hectare compared to vascular plants. The bioactive compounds have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties, as well as the prevention of stomach ulcers, constipation, anemia, diabetes, and hypertension. The aim of this study was to compare the proximate composition, GC-MS volatile profile, amino acid composition, and selected functional properties (water- and oil-holding capacities) of S. major and S. platensis collected from Basrah, Iraq. Materials and methodsThis study was conducted on two types of algae, Spirulina paltensis and Spirulina major, collected from water bodies in the Karma Ali area of Basra Governorate, southern Iraq. Preliminary analyses of the algal extracts were performed, including the analysis of proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, and glycosides, as well as their chemical composition. ResultsThe protein content in S. major was 55.6%, and in S. paltensis, it was 53.11%. The content of bioactive compounds was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 39 bioactive compounds were identified in both algae. The highest concentration in Spirulina major was 32, represented by hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester, followed by 13, represented by hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester. The bioactive compounds in Spirulina paltensis were not specified. The alga S. paltensis showed that the highest concentration was at peak 34, represented by the compound Hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester, followed by peak 13, represented by the compound Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester. The amino acid profile of the two algae was also studied, identifying 13 amino acids in both species. Serine was the most abundant, reaching concentrations of 52.1 µg/gm and 62.4 µg/gm in S. major and S. paltensis. ConclusionRegarding functional properties such as water-holding capacity and lipid binding, S. major exhibited superiority over S.paltensis. ObjectiveAlgae have the ability to grow rapidly, utilize light energy and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and produce a greater amount of biomass per hectare compared to vascular plants. The bioactive compounds have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties, as well as the prevention of stomach ulcers, constipation, anemia, diabetes, and hypertension. The aim of this study was to compare the proximate composition, GC-MS volatile profile, amino acid composition, and selected functional properties (water- and oil-holding capacities) of S. major and S. platensis collected from Basrah, Iraq. Materials and methodsThis study was conducted on two types of algae, Spirulina paltensis and Spirulina major, collected from water bodies in the Karma Ali area of Basra Governorate, southern Iraq. Preliminary analyses of the algal extracts were performed, including the analysis of proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, and glycosides, as well as their chemical composition. ResultsThe protein content in S. major was 55.6%, and in S. paltensis, it was 53.11%. The content of bioactive compounds was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 39 bioactive compounds were identified in both algae. The highest concentration in Spirulina major was 32, represented by hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester, followed by 13, represented by hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester. The bioactive compounds in Spirulina paltensis were not specified. The alga S. paltensis showed that the highest concentration was at peak 34, represented by the compound Hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester, followed by peak 13, represented by the compound Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester. The amino acid profile of the two algae was also studied, identifying 13 amino acids in both species. Serine was the most abundant, reaching concentrations of 52.1 µg/gm and 62.4 µg/gm in S. major and S. paltensis. ConclusionRegarding functional properties such as water-holding capacity and lipid binding, S. major exhibited superiority over S.paltensis. https://jab.uk.ac.ir/article_5414_d3e2e8f631bd9336ed25b8162aef8782.pdf