Introduction of Spirulina
Spirulina is a kind of economic microalgae in the genus Spirulina of the family Trichoderma, prokaryotic organisms. Algal filaments for the unilinear cell composition without branches, no heterosexual cells of the filamentous body, usually blue-green, algal filaments with a regular spiral curled structure, the whole can be cylindrical, fusiform or dumbbell; Algal filaments are slightly thin at both ends, the end of the cell is bluntly rounded or with a cap structure; usually without sheaths, occasionally with a thin and transparent sheath; the cells were terete; cells with a clear intercellular septum, intercellular septum absent or without a clear shrinkage constriction. Spirulina observed under the microscope body shape is spiral, hence the name Spirulina.
Spirulina is distributed in saline lakes with sufficient light and suitable temperature, and was first found in Lake Chad in Africa, and also distributed in Ordos Saline Lake in China. Spirulina like high temperature, saline and alkaline; mainly rely on simple cell division for proliferation, there is no sexual reproduction, can be adapted to seawater aquaculture after domestication.
Spirulina's protein content is high, contains a special pigment protein - phycocyanin, radicin and vitamins, containing essential large amounts of human body elements and trace elements. Human consumption of spirulina has a long history. Commercial cultivation is mainly used for production of health products, production of high-quality aquatic feed and extraction of blue algae protein.
The suitable growth temperature of Spirulina is generally 28℃-35℃, 15℃ and 40℃ are the lowest and highest growth temperature, while its heat-resistant strain can be cultivated at 35℃-40℃. The suitable pH for the growth of Spirulina is 8.3-10.3, and when the pH is 11, it still grows well. It is found that spirulina grows best in water with a salt concentration of 20-70g/L. The water can be used as a medium for the growth of Spirulina. Spirulina is a strictly photoautotrophic algae that depends on sunlight and absorbs CO2 from the water for photosynthesis. Spirulina's photosynthetic ability is extremely strong, the light energy utilization rate of higher plants is usually 5-6%, while Spirulina's light energy utilization rate is as high as 18%, with a photosynthetic efficiency of 43%, which is more than three times that of general crops. Spirulina grows and reproduces rapidly, suitable for indoor and outdoor mass culture in different areas or seasons, with a very short growth cycle, the normal growth cycle is only 11h, and when the conditions are in the best state, the fastest proliferation rate is 4h once.
Spirulina Nutrients and Other Compounds
1. PROTEIN
Spirulina contains an unusually high amount of protein, approximately 55-77% by dry weight, depending on the source. It contains all essential amino acids. However, compared to animal proteins such as meat, eggs or milk, the amounts of methionine, cysteine and lysine are lower. It is superior to plant proteins such as soybeans and legumes.
2. Vitamins
Spirulina contains a large number of vitamins such as B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (pterostilbene glutamate), B12 (cobalamin), vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E. The bioavailability of vitamin B12 in Spirulina has been questioned. Several studies have attempted to determine the presence of vitamin B12. The best known of these is the U.S. Pharmacopeia test using Lactobacillus casei. Studies using this method suggest that spirulina has the lowest bioavailable vitamin B12, but the disadvantage of this method is that it does not separate the bioavailability of vitamin B12 in humans from that in non-humans. Another experiment conducted by spirulina growers suggests that it is an important source of bioavailable vitamin B12.
3. Minerals
Dried Spirulina is very rich in potassium and also contains calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium and zinc.
4. Photosynthetic Pigments
Spirulina contains many pigments, such as chlorophyll a, lutein, β-carotene, sea urchin enkephalin, cyanobacterial lutein, zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin, diatomic xanthophyll, 3'-hydroxy sea urchin ketone, β-cryptoxanthin, treponemal xanthophyll, and C-alpha-phaoctocollagen and isoalpha-alpha-alpha-alpha-collagen.
The Main Value Of Spirulina
1. Nutritional value
Spirulina has a high protein content, contains a special pigment protein - phycocyanin, radishin and vitamins, and contains a large number of essential elements and trace elements.
Spirulina with its comprehensive and balanced nutrition and extremely high value of disease prevention and health care has been concerned and highly evaluated by many scientists and international organizations around the world. Nutritionists and physicians call it "the nutritional champion of the earth" and "the new star of medicine". The World Health Organization recognizes Spirulina as "the best health care product for human beings in the 21st century" and "future superfood"; UNESCO recommends Spirulina as "the most ideal and perfect food for tomorrow"; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also recommends Spirulina as "the most ideal and perfect food for tomorrow". UNESCO recommends Spirulina as "the most ideal and perfect food for tomorrow"; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also solemnly recommends to the whole world that "Spirulina is the best food resource and future food for human beings in the future".
Nutritional Value of Spirulina Spirulina is considered by modern science as a "miniature nutritional library" in which the content of 8 kinds of nutritional essential amino acids is close to or exceeds the standard of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The ratio of protein, sugar and fat is about 60:20:5, with balanced nutritional composition. In addition, it also contains a variety of vitamins and trace elements, of which the content of β-carotene is 4000mg/kg and vitamins are as high as 1320mg/kg, and each person who consumes 15g of dry weight Spirulina per day can ensure the source of necessary nutrients. Spirulina is considered "the most ideal and excellent food for human beings" by the FAO for its high nutritional value and safety.
The safety evaluation conducted by the American Dietary Supplement Expert Committee shows that Spirulina is safe and has no toxic side effects.
Spirulina has been widely used as a health food around the world, and has been recommended by both the U.S. and European Space Agencies as one of the primary foods for long-term space mission personnel. Spirulina has been found to have a variety of pharmacological effects. Such as lowering blood lipids, antioxidant, anti-infection, anti-radiation, anti-aging, enhancing immunity and so on.
2. Food value
Human consumption of Spirulina has a long history. Commercial cultivation is mainly used for the production of health products, the production of high-quality aquatic feed, and the extraction of blue algae protein. The use of Spirulina has resulted in a variety of food products, all of which are made by adding Spirulina dry powder or extract to conventional foods or beverages, each with its own characteristics. The main products reported include soy sauce, yogurt, jelly, beverages, and noodles.
The Effectiveness Of Spirulina
1. Antioxidant action
Spirulina contains compounds (including chlorophyll, beta-carotene, lutein, and phycocyanin) that are potent antioxidants, eliminating oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Examples of oxidation include the rusting of metals and the browning of avocados or apples cut on the kitchen counter. In the body, oxidation can damage tissues and arteries and increase the risk of cancer and vascular disease. Finding ways to protect the body from this process is essential to preventing disease.
2. Allergy relief
Seasonal allergies can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, ears and nose, and a lot of discomfort. Many people take allergy medicines such as loratadine (Kerratan), Benadryl (Benadryl), and sometimes steroid nasal sprays such as fluticasone (fluticasone propionate). For those who don't want to use medications, spirulina may be another option. Studies have shown that spirulina helps relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis when compared to placebo (sugar) pills. Spirulina does this by "calming" the cells that respond to allergens, such as pollen and other substances that cause allergic reactions. However, no known studies have compared spirulina with prescription drugs.
3. Protect against the effects of radiation and chemotherapy
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are commonly used to treat cancer in patients undergoing cancer treatment. However, radiation and chemotherapy are not without serious side effects. Although radiation therapy is designed to kill cancer cells, it can also destroy nearby healthy cells. Similarly, as chemicals circulate in the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells, they can cause collateral damage to healthy cells.
Studies have shown that taking spirulina may help protect healthy cells from the side effects of radiation therapy. 2001 - A study showed that spirulina may protect cells from the side effects of chemotherapy.
Spirulina was able to protect cells from the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while a 2014 study in rodents showed that
In 2014, rodent studies showed that Spirulina helped protect healthy cells from the toxic side effects of chemotherapy.
If you would like to learn more, please contact sales@sxytbio.com，Click here to contact us online
