SpirulinaSpirulina

By Heather L. MillikenBy Heather L. Milliken

http://www.naturalways.com/spirul1.htm

What is Spirulina?What is Spirulina? It is a blue-green algaeIt is a blue-green algae

One-celled formOne-celled form

65-71 percent protein65-71 percent protein

Contains all essential amino acidsContains all essential amino acids

Spirulina has an 8-10 percent photosynthetic Spirulina has an 8-10 percent photosynthetic conversion rate (land plants have about a 3 conversion rate (land plants have about a 3 percent conversion rate)percent conversion rate)

The First Harvesting TechniquesThe First Harvesting Techniques

Kanembu make Dihé cakes Kanembu make Dihé cakes (2)(2)

HarvestingHarvesting

In Mexico, Spirulina was In Mexico, Spirulina was found to be harvested and found to be harvested and dried for consumption up dried for consumption up until the late 16until the late 16thth century century

The Spanish Conquest led The Spanish Conquest led to lakes being drained to to lakes being drained to make room for new make room for new civilization civilization (2)(2)

Techniques Continued…Techniques Continued…

Studies have been performed to Studies have been performed to maximize the production of Spirulina.maximize the production of Spirulina.

This is done by monitoring the This is done by monitoring the floatation and by determining the floatation and by determining the most productive growth stage. most productive growth stage. (1)(1)

The Benefits of Harvesting The Benefits of Harvesting SpirulinaSpirulina

Spirulina can be cultivated in shallow Spirulina can be cultivated in shallow pondsponds

As a result of this, Spirulina can As a result of this, Spirulina can double its biomass every 2 to 5 days, double its biomass every 2 to 5 days, yields can produce over 20 times yields can produce over 20 times more protein than soybeans on the more protein than soybeans on the same area, and 40 times that of corn same area, and 40 times that of corn and 400 times that of beef. and 400 times that of beef. (2)(2)

Nutritional ValueNutritional Value Spirulina is a food source that consists of more than 60% Spirulina is a food source that consists of more than 60%

protein.protein.

It has the highest known source of beta carotene. (25 times It has the highest known source of beta carotene. (25 times more than raw carrots)more than raw carrots)

Spirulina has more vitamin B12 than any other known source. Spirulina has more vitamin B12 than any other known source.

It contains the richest food source of gamma linolenic acid It contains the richest food source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA). (GLA is the precursor to body's important hormone (GLA). (GLA is the precursor to body's important hormone prostaglandin)prostaglandin)

Spirulina is richest source of chlorophyll.Spirulina is richest source of chlorophyll.

Spirulina has a number of natural antioxidants like beta-Spirulina has a number of natural antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin B1, B5, & B6, zinc, manganese, carotene, vitamin E, vitamin B1, B5, & B6, zinc, manganese, copper and selenium & amino acid methionine. (3) copper and selenium & amino acid methionine. (3)

The Pink FlamingoThe Pink Flamingo

Some flamingos evolved a filter in its Some flamingos evolved a filter in its beak to specifically eat spirulina. beak to specifically eat spirulina.

http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/flamingo.html

Forms of Consumption Forms of Consumption

Kanembu people use crumbled Dihé Kanembu people use crumbled Dihé to mixed with a sauce of tomatoes to mixed with a sauce of tomatoes and peppers, and poured over millet, and peppers, and poured over millet, beans, fish or meat.beans, fish or meat.

It taken in the pill form as a It taken in the pill form as a nutritional supplimentnutritional suppliment

Spirulina is added to numerous types Spirulina is added to numerous types of pet foods. of pet foods.

The Benefits of Eating SpirulinaThe Benefits of Eating Spirulina Reduces blood cholestrolReduces blood cholestrol

Spirulina helps to control diabetesSpirulina helps to control diabetes

Helps in kidney detoxificationHelps in kidney detoxification

Useful in combating malnutritionUseful in combating malnutrition

Spirulina is very useful in preventing vitamin A Spirulina is very useful in preventing vitamin A deficiency (helps prevent blindness and eye deficiency (helps prevent blindness and eye disease disease (4)(4)))

Aids in the prevention of anaemiaAids in the prevention of anaemia (3)(3)

ReferencesReferences

1) Kim, S.G., Choi, A., Ahn, C.Y., Park, C.S., Park, Y.H., Oh, H.M.1) Kim, S.G., Choi, A., Ahn, C.Y., Park, C.S., Park, Y.H., Oh, H.M.

(2005). Harvesting of Spirulina platensisby cellular floatation and(2005). Harvesting of Spirulina platensisby cellular floatation and

growth stage determination. growth stage determination. Letters in Applied Microbiology Letters in Applied Microbiology 40, 40,

190-194.190-194.

2) http://www.spirulinasource.com/earthfoodch1b.html#beginning2) http://www.spirulinasource.com/earthfoodch1b.html#beginning

3) http://www/nbent.com/spirulin1.htm 3) http://www/nbent.com/spirulin1.htm

4) http://www.spirulinasource.com/earthfoodch8b.html4) http://www.spirulinasource.com/earthfoodch8b.html