Spirulina is a blue-green alga. It is a unicellular organism and commercially distributed as organic algae dietary supplements. Spirulina is gram-negative bacteria having soft cell walls that consist of complex sugars and proteins. They are filamentous and symbiotic that fix nitrogen from the air. It appears rod or dish-like shape that contains phycocyanin photosynthetic pigment. which is blue. It grows in freshwater environments like lake liver and ponds. The biomass yield and Growth of Spirulina depend on pH, nutrient availability, light, and temperature. It contains various nutrients and antioxidants.
Production of spirulina :
Make an alkaline culture solution with nutrition is poured into a wide shallow culture pond, which is stirred by gentle streams. This condition allows spirulina to efficiently carry out photosynthesis and multiply itself.
Benefits of Spirulina:
- It is extremely high in nutrients mainly proteins.
- It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- To help reduce fatigue and boost up energy.
- It lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- It stimulates the immune system
- It fights against viral infections
- It helps to reduce blood pressure.
- It may have Anti-cancer properties.
- It helps in weight loss.
Dose:
A standard daily dose of spirulina is 1–3 grams, but doses of up to 10 grams per day are given which is more effective. Take Spirulina at least four hours before going to bed due to high protein food.
Contraindication:
- It is not prudent to eat more than 50 g of spirulina daily because it contains a high concentration of nucleic acids, substances related to DNA that is metabolized, they form uric acid, which could cause gout or kidney stones.
- To avoid spirulina if take blood thinners or have an autoimmune condition, bleeding disorder, allergies, or PKU.
- To avoid spirulina from pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Side effect:
Spirulina has minor side effects that may include nausea, insomnia, and headaches.
Reference :
Textbook of Pharmacognosy, Textbook of Microbiology, etc.
