{"paper_id":"37cae691-495a-421a-bba7-3aff9df9323b","body_text":"Microbial decontamination and enhanced extraction of value-added compounds from Spirulina platensis using gamma radiation | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Microbial decontamination and enhanced extraction of value-added compounds from Spirulina platensis using gamma radiation Hamdy Elsayed Ahmed Ali, Mohamed S. Abd El-AL, Marwa M. Moussa, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8148969/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 23 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology → Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Spirulina platensis has gained increasing attention as a valuable source of proteins, lipids, and pigments with applications in food, feed, and nutraceutical industries. However, large-scale cultivation in open pond systems is vulnerable to microbial contamination, posing risks to product quality and productivity. This study evaluated the effects of gamma (γ) irradiation up to 10 kGy as a dual strategy for microbial decontamination and enhanced extraction of bioactive compounds from dried Spirulina powder. A dose of 4 kGy substantially reduced microbial loads, while complete decontamination was achieved at 6 kGy. The D₁₀-values for Bacillus sp. (0.44 kGy), Staphylococcus aureus (0.41 kGy), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.58 kGy) indicated species-dependent radiosensitivity. Analyses using electron spin resonance (ESR), UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and lipid peroxidation assays demonstrated that γ-irradiation preserved the structural integrity of key biomolecules. Biomass irradiated at 6 kGy exhibited the highest recovery of lipids (60.83 ± 1.38 mg g⁻¹), proteins (547.43 ± 2.97 mg g⁻¹), and carbohydrates (275.60 ± 2.50 mg g⁻¹). Pigment extraction also increased, yielding elevated levels of chlorophyll a (11.40 ± 0.10 mg g⁻¹), carotenoids (3.48 ± 0.30 mg g⁻¹), and phycobiliproteins (125.20 ± 0.70 mg g⁻¹). Antioxidant activity peaked at 69.61 ± 1.47% at the same dose, associated with enhanced phenolic content. Overall, γ-irradiation represents a promising biotechnological tool for producing microbiologically safe Spirulina biomass while improving the extraction of value-added bioactive compounds for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Antioxidant activity Cell pretreatment Gamma irradiation Microbial decontamination · Pigments Spirulina platensis Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files SupplementrtyDataS1.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 23 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 20 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 19 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 04 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Nov, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 24 Nov, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 24 Nov, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 19 Nov, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 19 Nov, 2025 First submitted to journal 18 Nov, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {\"props\":{\"pageProps\":{\"initialData\":{\"identity\":\"rs-8148969\",\"acceptedTermsAndConditions\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"archivedVersions\":[],\"articleType\":\"Research Article\",\"associatedPublications\":[],\"authors\":[{\"id\":550029451,\"identity\":\"bf99913e-4094-4f51-8d2a-095ec102130d\",\"order_by\":0,\"name\":\"Hamdy Elsayed Ahmed Ali\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA)\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Hamdy\",\"middleName\":\"Elsayed Ahmed\",\"lastName\":\"Ali\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":550029452,\"identity\":\"bf5a789b-4b97-4e45-af53-4237ded6f2a7\",\"order_by\":1,\"name\":\"Mohamed S. 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from Spirulina platensis using gamma radiation\",\"fulltext\":[],\"fulltextSource\":\"\",\"fullText\":\"\",\"funders\":[],\"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow\":false,\"hasManuscriptDocX\":false,\"hasOptedInToPreprint\":true,\"hasPassedJournalQc\":\"\",\"hasAnyPriority\":false,\"hideJournal\":false,\"highlight\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"isAcceptedByJournal\":true,\"isAuthorSuppliedPdf\":true,\"isDeskRejected\":\"\",\"isHiddenFromSearch\":false,\"isInQc\":false,\"isInWorkflow\":false,\"isPdf\":true,\"isPdfUpToDate\":true,\"isWithdrawnOrRetracted\":false,\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"world-journal-of-microbiology-and-biotechnology\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"externalIdentity\":\"wibi\",\"sideBox\":\"Learn more about [World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology](https://www.springer.com/journal/11274)\",\"snPcode\":\"11274\",\"submissionUrl\":\"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11274/3\",\"title\":\"World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology\",\"twitterHandle\":\"\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":true,\"editorialSystem\":\"em\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"Springer Hybrid\",\"inReviewEnabled\":true,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":false},\"keywords\":\"Antioxidant activity, Cell pretreatment, Gamma irradiation, Microbial decontamination · Pigments, Spirulina platensis\",\"lastPublishedDoi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8148969/v1\",\"lastPublishedDoiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8148969/v1\",\"license\":{\"name\":\"CC BY 4.0\",\"url\":\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\"},\"manuscriptAbstract\":\"\\u003cp\\u003e\\u003cem\\u003eSpirulina platensis\\u003c/em\\u003e has gained increasing attention as a valuable source of proteins, lipids, and pigments with applications in food, feed, and nutraceutical industries. However, large-scale cultivation in open pond systems is vulnerable to microbial contamination, posing risks to product quality and productivity. This study evaluated the effects of gamma (γ) irradiation up to 10 kGy as a dual strategy for microbial decontamination and enhanced extraction of bioactive compounds from dried \\u003cem\\u003eSpirulina\\u003c/em\\u003e powder. A dose of 4 kGy substantially reduced microbial loads, while complete decontamination was achieved at 6 kGy. The D₁₀-values for \\u003cem\\u003eBacillus\\u003c/em\\u003e sp. (0.44 kGy), \\u003cem\\u003eStaphylococcus aureus\\u003c/em\\u003e (0.41 kGy), and \\u003cem\\u003ePseudomonas aeruginosa\\u003c/em\\u003e (0.58 kGy) indicated species-dependent radiosensitivity. Analyses using electron spin resonance (ESR), UV\\u0026ndash;Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and lipid peroxidation assays demonstrated that γ-irradiation preserved the structural integrity of key biomolecules. Biomass irradiated at 6 kGy exhibited the highest recovery of lipids (60.83\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;1.38 mg g⁻\\u0026sup1;), proteins (547.43\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;2.97 mg g⁻\\u0026sup1;), and carbohydrates (275.60\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;2.50 mg g⁻\\u0026sup1;). Pigment extraction also increased, yielding elevated levels of chlorophyll a (11.40\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.10 mg g⁻\\u0026sup1;), carotenoids (3.48\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.30 mg g⁻\\u0026sup1;), and phycobiliproteins (125.20\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;0.70 mg g⁻\\u0026sup1;). Antioxidant activity peaked at 69.61\\u0026thinsp;\\u0026plusmn;\\u0026thinsp;1.47% at the same dose, associated with enhanced phenolic content. Overall, γ-irradiation represents a promising biotechnological tool for producing microbiologically safe \\u003cem\\u003eSpirulina\\u003c/em\\u003e biomass while improving the extraction of value-added bioactive compounds for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.\\u003c/p\\u003e\",\"manuscriptTitle\":\"Microbial decontamination and enhanced extraction of value-added compounds from Spirulina platensis using gamma radiation\",\"msid\":\"\",\"msnumber\":\"\",\"nonDraftVersions\":[{\"code\":1,\"date\":\"2025-11-28 06:46:29\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8148969/v1\",\"editorialEvents\":[{\"type\":\"communityComments\",\"content\":0},{\"type\":\"decision\",\"content\":\"Revision requested\",\"date\":\"2025-12-20T10:53:10+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"editorInvitedReview\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2025-12-20T01:58:06+00:00\",\"index\":\"hide\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"editorInvitedReview\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2025-12-04T19:26:00+00:00\",\"index\":\"hide\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"reviewerAgreed\",\"content\":\"224949138620774671778177675252066283588\",\"date\":\"2025-11-29T03:36:40+00:00\",\"index\":\"hide\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"reviewerAgreed\",\"content\":\"61677063413434673282801736947699848392\",\"date\":\"2025-11-24T14:44:58+00:00\",\"index\":\"hide\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"reviewersInvited\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2025-11-24T14:30:37+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"editorAssigned\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2025-11-19T07:38:03+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"checksComplete\",\"content\":\"\",\"date\":\"2025-11-19T05:55:11+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"submitted\",\"content\":\"World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology\",\"date\":\"2025-11-18T20:50:30+00:00\",\"index\":\"\",\"fulltext\":\"\"}],\"status\":\"published\",\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"world-journal-of-microbiology-and-biotechnology\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"externalIdentity\":\"wibi\",\"sideBox\":\"Learn more about [World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology](https://www.springer.com/journal/11274)\",\"snPcode\":\"11274\",\"submissionUrl\":\"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11274/3\",\"title\":\"World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology\",\"twitterHandle\":\"\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":true,\"editorialSystem\":\"em\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"Springer Hybrid\",\"inReviewEnabled\":true,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":false}}],\"origin\":\"\",\"ownerIdentity\":\"70cd0906-50f1-436a-a2c9-e8babf784ff3\",\"owner\":[],\"postedDate\":\"November 28th, 2025\",\"published\":true,\"recentEditorialEvents\":[],\"rejectedJournal\":[],\"revision\":\"\",\"amendment\":\"\",\"status\":\"published-in-journal\",\"subjectAreas\":[],\"tags\":[],\"updatedAt\":\"2026-03-30T16:18:28+00:00\",\"versionOfRecord\":{\"articleIdentity\":\"rs-8148969\",\"link\":\"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-026-04868-3\",\"journal\":{\"identity\":\"world-journal-of-microbiology-and-biotechnology\",\"isVorOnly\":false,\"title\":\"World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology\"},\"publishedOn\":\"2026-03-23 16:11:09\",\"publishedOnDateReadable\":\"March 23rd, 2026\"},\"versionCreatedAt\":\"2025-11-28 06:46:29\",\"video\":\"\",\"vorDoi\":\"10.1007/s11274-026-04868-3\",\"vorDoiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-026-04868-3\",\"workflowStages\":[]},\"version\":\"v1\",\"identity\":\"rs-8148969\",\"journalConfig\":\"researchsquare\"},\"__N_SSP\":true},\"page\":\"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]\",\"query\":{\"redirect\":\"/article/rs-8148969\",\"identity\":\"rs-8148969\",\"version\":[\"v1\"]},\"buildId\":\"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd\",\"isFallback\":false,\"isExperimentalCompile\":false,\"dynamicIds\":[84888],\"gssp\":true,\"scriptLoader\":[]}","source_license":"CC-BY-4.0","license_restricted":false}