Spirulina is the commercial name for Arthrospira platensis, a species of filamentous cyanobacteria that is cultivated around the world as a food source. It is a very rich source of nutrition. As a matter fact, it was a staple of Aztec cuisine. The genus is also responsible for the flamingo's pink plumage.
It is currently popular as a health food in the U.S. and Europe, often taken as a dietary supplement in the form of powder or tablet.
Nutritional Facts
55 - 70 % protein.
Contains Vitamin A, B1 Thiamine, B2 Riboflavin, B3 Niacin, B6 Pyridoxine, B12 Colobalimine, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Folate, Vitamin K, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Beta Carotene, Inositol.
Minerals: Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Chromium, Phosphorus, Molybdenum, Iodine, Chloride, Magnesium, Sodium, Zinc, Potassium, Selenium, Germanium, Copper, Boron.
Contains: Phycocyanin, Chlorophyll, Carotenoids.
Contains: Myxoxanthophyll, Zeaxanthin, Cryptoxanthin, Echinenone and other Xanthophylls.
Gamma Linolenic Acid, Glycolipids, Sulfolipids, Polysaccharides.
Amino Acids: Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Leucine, Threonine, Lysine, Tryptophan, Methionine, Valine, Alanine, Glycine, Arginine, Histidine, Aspartic acid, Proline, Cystine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Tyrosine.
Reference
Spirulina | ||||||||||||
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Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
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Spirulina corakiana |
Spirulina is also a genus of filamentous blue-green algae, with a coil-like shape. ITIS recognises 13 species.