Preparation of organic fibers with the addition of algae extracts

The presented bachelor thesis is focused on the preparation and characterization of organic fibers with an admixture of pre-prepared extracts of microalgae and cyanobacteria containing valuable active compounds. The theoretical part describes selected metabolites of microalgae and cyanobacteria, methods of their analysis, the issue of encapsulation and incorporation of active substances into nanofibers and presents some methods of their preparation. In the experimental part of this thesis, selected strains from the CCALA collection were first cultured. Subsequently, aqueous, ethanol and hexane extracts of biomass from cultured and commercial microalgae and cyanobacteria were prepared. The prepared extracts were spectrophotometrically evaluated in terms of the concentration of chlorophylls, carotenoids, antioxidants, polyphenols, and total proteins present. In addition, 96 % ethanol extracts were subjected to more accurate analysis of chlorophylls and carotenoids by HPLC. The highest antioxidant activity was observed for aqueous extracts. Gelatin nanofibers containing selected extracts were formed by electrospinning method. The formed fibers were examined afterwards to identify a mass fraction of incorporated microalgal and cyanobacterial substances. The fibers were further tested for antioxidant activity with the TEAC assay. The most pronounced antioxidant effect was detected for the fiber with incorporated aqueous extract of the cyanobacterium Arthrospira maxima. Finally, the fibers were tested for their safety in contact with human cells. The amount of fibers used did not show any cytotoxic effect on human keratinocytes and the tested materials can thus be considered safe for application in cosmetics