This document discusses the superfood spirulina. It begins by defining spirulina as a blue-green algae and describing its spiral shape. Spirulina is considered a superfood because it is very nutrient-dense and contains more nutrients than most foods. The document then covers where spirulina is found, its composition, potential health benefits like boosting immunity and cardiovascular health, and studies conducted by the United Nations and NASA on spirulina's potential as a future food source.

1. SPIRULINA
SUPeR food
PRESENTED BY;
RAMA JEBA S
and DR.K.KARTHIKEYAN
Department of Food Science and Nutrition
Periyar University, Salem

2. WhAt IS SPIRULINA?
• Spirulina is an algae…
• It belongs to the family
CYANO BACTERIA
I.Arthrospira platensis
II.Arthrospira maxima
• It’s a blue green algae

3. WhY IS It CALLed
SPIRULINA?
• The microorganism called
SPIRULINA was so named
this because of its SPIRAL
FILAMENT like
apperance under the
microscope

4. WhY IS SPIRULINA CALLed
SUPeR food?
• Spirulina is called superfood
because its nutrient content is
more potent than any other
food
• Many of the essential nutrients
needed for our body is
concentrated in spirulina
• Therefore hippocrates of 370 BC
had mention spirulina to be a
superfood

5. ABoUt SPIRULINA!!
• Arthrospira are free floting filamentous
• Cyanobacteria characterized by;
a) Cylinderical
b) Multicellular trichomes
c) Open lefthanded helixs

6. WheRe IS SPIRULINA foUNd?
• Spirulina grows in mineral rich alkaline
lakes
• Brackish water
• Temp at 35 c-optimum growth of⁰c-optimum growth of⁰
spirulinaspirulina
• Above 38 c-spirulina dies⁰
• Below 20 c-spirulina will not grow but⁰
does’nt die

7. AvAILABLe foRmS
• Pills
• Powders
• Flakes

8. dRUG INteRACtIoNS
Possible Interactions;
There are no reports in the scientific literature to suggest that spirulina
interactions with any conventional medications. However, it is possible
that spirulina might interfere with drugs given to suppress the immune
system, including:
• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Cyclosporine (Neoral)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Leflunomide (Arava)
• Methotrexate
• Mycophenolate (CellCept)

9. COMPOSITION OF
SPIRULINA

12. DOSAGES
SPIRULINA;
• Disease-fighting dose: 20 grams / day
• Maintenance dose: 10 grams / day
• Athlete dose: as much as 60 grams / day
• Upper limit: there is no upper limit. You can
eat spirulina like food. If you eat "too much,"
you will simply get full"

13. SPIRULINA-IN
MALNUTRITION
MARASMUS;
• Marasmus is one of the types of protein-energy malnutrition
that affects childr en under the age of one.
• This is evident from the flaking of skin. In addition symptoms of
marasmus are:
• loose folds of skin
• Slow heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Drowsiness
• Irritable
• Big appetite

14. KWASHIORKOR
• Kwashiorkor is a severe form of
malnutrition, caused by a deficiency
in dietary protein. The extreme lack
of protein causes an osmotic
imbalance in the gastro-intestinal
system causing swelling of the gut
diagnosed as an edema or retention
of water.

15. PRODUCTION

17. Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
Description
• Arthrospira platensis ( referred to as ‘Spirulina’)is a uni-cellular
microalgae which grows in fresh water, in salt water, as well as
in brackish bodies of water.
• It grows best in a highly alkaline environment of pH 10-12.
• Such conditions currently exist in certain lakes in Sub-Saharan
Africa and formerly in Mexico and Central America.
• Spirulina has been used as a food source for centuries, and is
still commonly consumed in Chad and surrounding countries in
Africa.
• Spirulina has served as the sole source of nutrition in some
African communities in times of famine, during which entire
native populations have existed

18. Composition
• Spirulina is about sixty percent complete, highly digestible protein; it contains
all essential amino acids;
• Spirulina contains more beta-carotene than any other whole food.
• It is the best whole food source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), it is rich in B
vitamins, minerals, trace elements, chlorophyll, and enzymes.
• It is abundant in other nutrients, such as carotenoids, sulfolipids, glycolipids,
phycocyanin, superoxide dismutase, RNA, and DNA.

19. Nutrient Levels
• Besides basic nutrients such as amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
• Spirulina supplies many phytonutrients that are lacking in most of our diets.
• Moreover, Spirulina supplies common nutrients at high levels; comparing Spirulina with other foods
shows its unusual nutrient profile.
A few examples: Nutrient profile of Spirulina vs. other foods
• • 180% more calcium than whole milk
• • 670% more protein than tofu
• • 3100% more beta carotene than carrots
• • 5100% more iron than spinach
• • more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in 3 g of Spiurlina than in five servings of fruits and
vegetables

20. Diversity of Research
ReseaRch on spiRulina’s health benefits has been faR-
Ranging.
• The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.
• Other areas of research on Spirulina are varied; among many potential
health applications researched are the following:
• • Protection of the liver and kidneys
• • Improvement of blood quality and prevention of anaemia
• • Benefits for diabetes
• • Removal of heavy metals from the body
• • Control of allergic rhinitis

21. The areas of potential health benefits for Spirulina, -
immunity; anti-viral properties; cancer prevention; and
cardiovascular health
IMMUNE SYSTEM
• The benefits of Spirulina in building immunity and improving resistance to viral infections
are well documented.
• It has been reported a decrease in colds and flu from Spirulina use.
• Several pre-clinical animal studies have shown good immuno stimulatory effects in a
variety of species
• In humans, mammals, chicken and fish Spirulina produces an immuno stimulating effect by
enhancing the resistance to infections.
• The capacity of influencing hemopoieses, and stimulating the production of antibodies and
cytokines. Spirulina has also been shown to activate macrophages, T and B cells.
• Sulfolipids derived from Spriulina have proved effective against HIV.
• Extracts from Spirulina biomass have also been found active against herpes virus,
cytomegalovirus, influenza virus, etc. Spirulina extracts have also been shown capable of
inhibiting carcinogenesis.

22. CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS
• Spirulina has also been shown to indirectly modify the total cholesterol and
high density lipoprotein cholesterol values .
• Decreases in blood pressure and plasma lipid concentrations, especially
triacylglycerols and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol have been
demonstrated as a result of oral consumption of Spirulina.
• In the research it was founded that total cholesterol decreased by 65% more
with Spirulina consumption; LDL-C decreased by 54% more with Spirulina
consumption; while triglycerides saw a decrease of almost 200% more with
Spirulina consumption

23. CANCER PREVENTIVE
POTENTIAL
• Research has been conducted in the last six years on phycocyanin’s
antitumoral effect. The results have proven very promising:
• • 49% decrease in the proliferation of leukemia cell lines
• • 50% decrease in the proliferation of hepatocellular
• carcinoma (liver cancer) cell lines
• • significant decrease in HeLa cells in vitro compared to control cells (HeLa
cells are an immortal cancerous cell line extracted from cervical cancer
cells in1951).
• Phycocyanin is a compound - described as a non-toxic fluorescent
protein pigment with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-
cancer properties and this pigment is only found in Spirulina and other
species of blue green algae.

24. United Nations and NASA
Interest
• Due to its wealth of nutrients and health benefits reported by consumers,
Spirulina has been subjected to research throughout the world.
• In 1974, the United Nations named Spirulina one of the best foods for the
future.
• The UN continues to study Spirulina’s potential; in 2008 the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) report on Spirulina proclaimed that there is a
need for both national governments and inter-governmental organizations to re
evaluate the potential of Spirulina to fulfil both their own food security needs
as well as a tool for their overseas development emergency response efforts.
• It is interesting to also note that scientists from the US Space Program at
NASA have studied Spirulina as a potential food source for space travel and
settlement of space stations due to its remarkable nutrient profile
• Due to its wealth of nutrients and health benefits reported by consumers,
Spirulina has been subjected to research throughout the world.
• In 1974, the United Nations named Spirulina one of the best foods for the
future.
• The UN continues to study Spirulina’s potential; in 2008 the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) report on Spirulina proclaimed that there is a
need for both national governments and inter-governmental organizations to re
evaluate the potential of Spirulina to fulfil both their own food security needs
as well as a tool for their overseas development emergency response efforts.
• It is interesting to also note that scientists from the US Space Program at
NASA have studied Spirulina as a potential food source for space travel and
settlement of space stations due to its remarkable nutrient profile

27. REFERENCE
• spirulina@auroville.org.in
• http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supple
ment/spirulina
• http://www.auroville.org/health/food/spirulina.h
tm
• Source: Spirulina | University of Maryland
Medical
Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/s
upplement/spirulina#ixzz2sqVsCi9j
University of Maryland Medical Center

28. REFERENCE
• SPIRULINA for reducing MALNUTRITION
AS FOOD FOR EMERGENCY, FOOD SHORTAGES,
HUMANITARIAN URGENCIES
• A Document proposed by Docteur Ripley D.Fox
fox former Directeur General of the
"Intergovernmental Spirulina Program"
& the "CFPPA-HYERES Spirulina Training
Program":
CFPPA , 32 chemin St Lazare 83400 Hyéres -
France

29. THANK YOU…