Limnospira platensis LEGE 231238: Exploring Commercial Potential through Comprehensive Biochemical and Taxonomic Analysis

The strain Limnospira platensis LEGE 231238, isolated from the saline Alalay Lake in Bolivia, was identified through a polyphasic approach. The biochemical characterization revealed that the dry biomass presented (% of dry weight) protein (45.40 ± 0.54), carbohydrates (27.84 ± 0.25), ash (19.90 ± 0.32), lipids (6.86 ± 0.18), and C:N ratio (5.54 ± 0.17). Lipid extracts revealed 46.23 ± 0.60% polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA), 41.24 ± 0.72% saturated FA, with palmitic acid (FA 16:0) accounting for 39.05 ± 0.66% and γ-linolenic acid (FA 18:3 n–6) for 31.32 ± 0.30%. Nutritional quality indices included atherogenic (0.75 ± 0.03%), thrombogenic (1.32 ± 0.04%), and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic index (0.45 ± 0.03%). Acetonic extracts contained 78.66% chlorophyll-a, 16.18% total carotenes, and 5.11% xanthophylls. The aqueous extract showed the following contents (µg mg⁻¹): phenolics with 15.64 ± 1.76 as gallic acid equivalents, sugars with 7.19 ± 0.75 of glucose equivalents, chlorophyll-a with 5.84 ± 1.87 mg g⁻¹ of dry extract, and total chlorophylls with 10.02 ± 2.06 mg g⁻¹ of dry extract. Phycobiliprotein content revealed concentrations of phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, and phycoerythrin at 84.88 ± 8.29, 53.11 ± 6.21, and 20.25 ± 3.12 µg mg⁻¹ of dry extract, respectively. The nutritional profile of LEGE 231238 is comparable to that of other Spirulina strains currently available on the market, supporting its suitability as a food supplement. This work represents the first published report of an L. platensis isolate from Bolivia and underscores its strong potential for commercial exploitation.