Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Dunaliella salina

Also known as: Green microalga, Halotolerant microalgae, Dunaliella salina

Overview

Dunaliella salina is a unicellular green microalga renowned for its exceptionally high concentration of carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene, along with other beneficial bioactive compounds. This microalga naturally thrives in hypersaline environments, adapting to extreme conditions. It is primarily utilized as a nutritional supplement due to its potent antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and lipid-lowering properties. Beyond human supplementation, it finds application in animal nutrition, where it is used to enrich products like eggs with valuable carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. While research is ongoing, current evidence, predominantly from controlled animal studies and in vitro experiments, supports its potential health benefits. Human clinical data are currently limited, and comprehensive meta-analyses are not yet available.

Benefits

Dunaliella salina offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily supported by animal and in vitro studies. It demonstrates significant antioxidant effects by improving antioxidant status, increasing enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and reducing oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) in animal models like laying hens. It also exhibits immunomodulatory properties, evidenced by increased immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels and concentration-dependent effects on inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) in human cell lines. Furthermore, D. salina has shown promising lipid-lowering effects; in hypercholesterolemic rats, supplementation significantly decreased serum LDL-C, VLDL, and intermediate-density lipoprotein cholesterol fractions. Animal studies also suggest hepatoprotective effects, indicated by reduced serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT), and renal protective activity, maintaining normal creatinine and urea levels. Lastly, dietary D. salina can enrich animal products, such as eggs, with carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids, enhancing their nutritional quality.

How it works

The beneficial effects of Dunaliella salina are primarily attributed to its rich content of bioactive compounds, especially carotenoids like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids act as powerful antioxidants, effectively scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitigating oxidative stress. Its immunomodulatory actions are thought to involve the modulation of cytokine production, such as TNF-α and IL-6, and the enhancement of immune cell function. The observed lipid-lowering effects likely stem from its influence on various lipid metabolism pathways, although the precise molecular targets require further elucidation. The bioavailability of these compounds can vary depending on the formulation, with both dried biomass and extracts demonstrating biological activity.

Side effects

Overall, Dunaliella salina appears to be safe in animal studies at the tested dosages, with no cytotoxicity observed in intestinal cell models. Due to the limited human clinical data, common side effects in humans are not well documented. Animal studies consistently report no adverse effects on liver or kidney function markers, and while some variability exists, the general consensus indicates a favorable safety profile. Currently, there are no significant drug interactions or contraindications reported in the reviewed literature. However, it is important to note that for special populations, such as pregnant women or individuals with pre-existing health conditions, there is insufficient data to make definitive safety conclusions. Therefore, caution and professional medical advice are recommended for these groups.

Dosage

Currently, there are no established human dosing guidelines for Dunaliella salina due to the limited number of clinical trials in humans. Animal studies have utilized doses ranging from 500 mg/kg to 1 g/kg in feed, which have shown beneficial effects on antioxidant status and immune parameters. In rat models, supplementation durations of approximately 8 weeks were typically required to observe significant lipid-lowering effects. Dunaliella salina is available in various formulations, including dried biomass and extracts, and it is important to consider that the bioavailability and absorption of its active compounds may vary depending on the specific form. Without human-specific data, it is difficult to recommend an upper limit or safety threshold for human consumption.

FAQs

Is Dunaliella salina safe?

Animal studies suggest safety at tested doses; however, human safety data are limited, so caution is advised, especially for specific populations.

What benefits can be expected?

Potential benefits include antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and lipid-lowering effects, as well as the ability to enrich animal-derived foods with nutrients.

How long until effects appear?

Animal studies indicate that measurable benefits, such as lipid-lowering effects, typically appear after 6–8 weeks of consistent supplementation.

Is it cytotoxic?

No cytotoxicity has been observed in intestinal cell models, suggesting a favorable safety profile at the cellular level.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10825683/ – This RCT in broiler chickens investigated the effects of D. salina, finding improvements in liver enzyme profiles, maintenance of kidney function, and overall enhanced biochemical indices. The study, while an animal model, was well-controlled and statistically analyzed, providing moderate quality evidence for hepatoprotective and renoprotective effects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9781844/ – This study combined in vitro experiments with an RCT in rats, demonstrating that D. salina biomass promoted probiotic growth, modulated inflammatory cytokines, and significantly decreased LDL-C and VLDL in hypercholesterolemic rats. The research, using both cell line and animal models, provides moderate quality evidence for immunomodulatory and lipid-lowering effects.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1545433/full – This RCT in laying hens showed that D. salina supplementation increased antioxidant enzymes, immunoglobulin M (IgM), and carotenoid content in eggs. The study, a well-designed animal model with statistical rigor, provides moderate quality evidence for antioxidant and immunomodulatory benefits, as well as nutritional enrichment of animal products.