Assessment of the safety and toxicity of sulphur-enriched spirulina in white mice

The study of Spirulina platensis biomass enriched with sulphur is of particular relevance due to its potential as a valuable feed supplement for livestock. This study aimed to assess the safety and acute toxicity of sulphur-enriched spirulina biomass. Linear mice were used for the experiment. To evaluate the safety, the mice were administered 0.35 cm3 of physiological saline (control) and 25% and 50% suspensions of sulphur-enriched spirulina biomass (experimental groups I and II) via intragastric administration. The animals were observed for 12 days, and protein metabolism indicators were examined. For acute toxicity assessment, laboratory animals received intragastric doses of spirulina biomass ranging from 5 to 6,000 mg/kg body weight. The observation period lasted 14 days. It was established that during the 12-day observation period following the administration of spirulina biomass suspensions, no lethal cases were recorded in the mice. No pathological or anatomical changes in the internal organs were observed in the experimental animals. No statistically significant increase or decrease in total protein levels or aminotransferase activity was detected in mice from experimental groups I and II compared with the control group. Assessment of acute toxicity indicated that spirulina biomass belongs to toxicity class 4, categorising it as a low-toxicity substance. No significant behavioural changes or notable effects on metabolic processes were observed, suggesting the potential safety of this biomass for use in animal husbandry. The findings of this study may be applied in livestock production to introduce innovative approaches to feed enrichment with beneficial elements that enhance animal productivity and health