Spirulina

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

By Heather L. Milliken
 What is Spirulina?
 It is a blue-green algae

 One-celled form

 65-71 percent protein

 Contains all essential amino acids

 Spirulina has an 8-10 percent photosynthetic

conversion rate (land plants have about a 3
percent conversion rate)
 The First Harvesting Techniques
 Kanembu make Dihé cakes (2)
 Harvesting
 In Mexico, Spirulina was
found to be harvested and
dried for consumption up
until the late 16th century

 The Spanish Conquest led

to lakes being drained to
make room for new
civilization (2)
 Techniques Continued…

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

 Thisis done by monitoring the

floatation and by determining the
most productive growth stage. (1)
 The Benefits of Harvesting
Spirulina

 Spirulina can be cultivated in shallow

ponds

 Asa result of this, Spirulina can

double its biomass every 2 to 5 days,
yields can produce over 20 times
more protein than soybeans on the
same area, and 40 times that of corn
and 400 times that of beef. (2)
 Nutritional Value
 Spirulina is a food source that consists of more than 60%
protein.

 It has the highest known source of beta carotene. (25 times

more than raw carrots)

 Spirulina has more vitamin B12 than any other known

source.

 It contains the richest food source of gamma linolenic acid

(GLA). (GLA is the precursor to body's important hormone
prostaglandin)

 Spirulina is richest source of chlorophyll.

 Spirulina has a number of natural antioxidants like beta-

carotene, vitamin E, vitamin B1, B5, & B6, zinc,
manganese, copper and selenium & amino acid methionine.
(3)
 The Pink Flamingo
 Some flamingos evolved a filter in its
beak to specifically eat spirulina.

http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/flamingo.html
 Forms of Consumption
 Kanembu people use crumbled Dihé
to mixed with a sauce of tomatoes
and peppers, and poured over millet,
beans, fish or meat.

 Ittaken in the pill form as a

nutritional suppliment

 Spirulina is added to numerous types

of pet foods.
The Benefits of Eating Spirulina
 Reduces blood cholestrol

 Spirulina helps to control diabetes

 Helps in kidney detoxification

 Useful in combating malnutrition

 Spirulina is very useful in preventing vitamin A

deficiency (helps prevent blindness and eye
disease (4))

 Aids in the prevention of anaemia

(3)
 References

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
growth stage determination. Letters in Applied Microbiology 40,
190-194.

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

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

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