Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is cultivated for use as a dietary supplement. It grows well in warm, alkaline freshwater and derives its name from its spiral shape under microscopy. Spirulina contains high amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It has been used as a dietary supplement in many countries and was selected by NASA to be included in astronauts' food because of its high nutritional value. Spirulina provides numerous health benefits and is considered a superfood.

1. Spirulina (Algae)
1/31/2014
H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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2. Spirulina (Algae)
• What is Spirulina?
• Spirulina is blue-green algae.
• For the cultivation of spirulina culture warm,
fresh alkaline water is necessary.
• Its name is from the Latin word that means
"helix" or "spiral" because microscopy figures
show that its configuration is like a spiral.
Spirulina is a sea plant that contains both
chlorophyll (green) and phycocyanin (blue)
pigments which make it blue-green algae.
1/31/2014
H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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5. Introduction
• Spirulina is a super food because it has most
of the necessary nutrients to meet bodily
needs.
• Spirulina is sometimes called the "food for the
future." In comparison to meat / Besan (22
percent protein), spirulina has 65 to 71
percent complete protein and all essential
amino acids.
1/31/2014
H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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6. • Spirulina has been used as a dietary supplement
in many countries; NASA has chosen it as
astronauts' food in space. Spirulina contains the
most powerful combination of nutrients ever
known in any grain, herb or food. Spirulina also
benefits the immune system and other systems
crucial to human health. Spirulina's healing and
nourishing qualities make it an ideal food
supplement.
Spirulina is one of nature's richest source of
vitamins, iron, protein, carbohydrates, micro
nutrients and beta carotene.1/31/2014
H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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Dihé is traditionally harvested by women.

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H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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9. Benefits of Spirulina.
• builds immunity against infections
• maintains a healthy heart
• provides a glowing skin
• improves hemoglobin level in blood
• fights fatigue and stress
• keeps you active and energetic
• helps in lowering blood pressure and
correcting water imbalance
• can help in diabetes control. Diabetics may be
able to defer eating timings and sustain over long
periods without any discomfort
• Spirulina helps to relieve CFS (Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome).
1/31/2014
H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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11. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
OF SPIRULINA (10 g dry weight)
Content Amount
Proteins 6.5 g
Beta-carotene 14 mg
Vitamin C 2 mg
Thiamin (B1) 0.37 mg
Riboflavin (B2) 0.46 mg
Niacin 1.3 mg
Calcium 150 mg
Iron 18 mg
Vitamin E 0.4 mg
Vitamin B 6 0.07 mg
Vitamin B 12 0.02 mg
Phosphorus 67 mg
Magnesium 32 mg
Copper 0.10 mg
Phycocyanin 1500 mg
Gamma-linoleic acid 100 mg
Chlorophyll 110 mg
1/31/2014
H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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12. Benefits of Spirulina for children and young
adults.
• Spirulina is the richest source of protein and provides 18
out of 22 amino acids that the body requires for normal
growth and development.
• Spirulina through its range of B- Vitamins strengthens
the immune system and builds resistance in opposition to
diseases. The natural beta carotene (pro Vitamin A) in
• Spirulina helps maintain normal and healthy eyesight.
• Spirulina provides iron in a form that is simply absorbed. It
helps maintain an optimum level of hemoglobin in the
blood.
• Spirulina is the best natural source for antioxidants like
carotenoids, vitamin E, zinc and selenium, which help fight
against free radicals, and also slow down the ageing
process.
• Spirulina being the richest vegetarian source of vitamin B-
12 helps decrease physical and mental stress.
1/31/2014
H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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13. Benefits of Spirulina for seniors
• Gamma-linoleic acid(GLA)
in Spirulina prevents the creation of
cholesterol, keeps the heart healthy and
checks the beginning of degenerative diseases
like arthritis and diabetes.
• Dosage - 2-3 Tablets twice a day. Ideal and
safe for children, pregnant and nursing
mothers.
• Spirulina increases absorption rate of body for
Nutritional products.
1/31/2014
H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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14. • Imagine a vegetable with more protein than soy, more
Vitamin A than carrots, more iron than beef, profound
source of protective phytochemicals, naturally low in fat,
source of the essential fatty acid GLA and is easy to digest.
• NASA considers it an excellent, compact space food for
astronauts.
• The WHO has called it one of the greatest super food on
earth.
Spirulina's healing and nourishing qualities make it an
ideal food supplement.
Spirulina is one of nature's richest source of vitamins, iron,
protein, carbohydrates, micro nutrients and beta carotene.
• These nutrients are responsible for
– preventing cellular damage and
– rejuvenating the skin, hair and eyes from within
– energizing and bringing a much required freshness to life!
1/31/2014
H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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15. Human consumption
• The benefits of Spirulina as a low-calorie, high-protein, mineral
and vitamin food supplement are now well established and
recognized worldwide.
• Studies have shown that spirulina can lower
– cholesterol levels,
– stimulate the immune system and
– be effective in the treatment of obesity,
– heart disease,
– premenstrual stress,
– arthritis,
– anaemia and
– osteoporosis.
• Spirulina is also a rich source of beta-carotene, a natural
antioxidant, which the body converts to vitamin A and which
plays a protective role in the human organism.
• Recent studies have concluded that a diet rich in vitamin A
and pro-vitamin A can lower the risk of cancer
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H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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16. • Beta-carotene is considered a more effective
antioxidant than synthetic trans beta-
carotene.
• Positive results have also been seen in
performance and stamina levels when
Spirulina is taken as a sports supplement.
• The blue-green alga has a high level of biotin,
which is an inhibitor of lactic acid in muscles.
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H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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17. California (Earthrise) Hawaii (Cyanotech)
• Spirulina is produced in more than 22
countries: Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso,
Chad, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Côte
d'Ivoire, Cuba, Ecuador, France, India,
Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Peru,
Israel, Spain, Thailand, Togo, United
States of America and Viet Nam.
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H Tripathi, Functional Foods, B.Sc. FST,
AIILSG Ahmedabad
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