Spirulina http www naturalways comspirul 1 htm By

Spirulina http: //www. naturalways. com/spirul 1. htm By Heather L. Milliken

What is Spirulina? u It is a blue-green algae u One-celled form u 65 -71 percent protein u Contains all essential amino acids u Spirulina has an 8 -10 percent photosynthetic conversion rate (land plants have about a 3 percent conversion rate)

The First Harvesting Techniques u Kanembu make Dihé cakes (2)

Harvesting u u In Mexico, Spirulina was found to be harvested and dried for consumption up until the late 16 th century The Spanish Conquest led to lakes being drained to make room for new civilization (2)

Techniques Continued… u Studies have been performed to maximize the production of Spirulina. u This is done by monitoring the floatation and by determining the most productive growth stage. (1)

The Benefits of Harvesting Spirulina u Spirulina ponds u As can be cultivated in shallow a 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 u Spirulina is a food source that consists of more than 60% protein. u It has the highest known source of beta carotene. (25 times more than raw carrots) u Spirulina has more vitamin B 12 than any other known source. u It contains the richest food source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA). (GLA is the precursor to body's important hormone prostaglandin) u Spirulina is richest source of chlorophyll. u Spirulina has a number of natural antioxidants like betacarotene, vitamin E, vitamin B 1, B 5, & B 6, zinc, manganese, copper and selenium & amino acid methionine. (3)

The Pink Flamingo u Some flamingos evolved a filter in its beak to specifically eat spirulina. http: //www. thewildones. org/Animals/flamingo. html

Forms of Consumption u Kanembu people use crumbled Dihé to mixed with a sauce of tomatoes and peppers, and poured over millet, beans, fish or meat. u It taken in the pill form as a nutritional suppliment u Spirulina is added to numerous types of pet foods.

The Benefits of Eating Spirulina u Reduces blood cholestrol u Spirulina helps to control diabetes u Helps in kidney detoxification u Useful in combating malnutrition u Spirulina is very useful in preventing vitamin A deficiency (helps prevent blindness and eye disease (4)) u 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/earthfoodch 1 b. html#beginning 3) http: //www/nbent. com/spirulin 1. htm 4) http: //www. spirulinasource. com/earthfoodch 8 b. html