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Review Article
SPIRULINA - AN OVERVIEW
SHABANA KOUSER ALI*, ARABI MOHAMMED SALEH
School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore. India. Email: shabanakouserali03@gmail.com
Received: 28 Feb 2012, Revised and Accepted: 25 Mar 2012
ABSTRACT
Arthrospira is a photosynthetic, filamentous, spiral-shaped, multicellular and blue- green micro alga. Cell division occurs by binary fission. As it
contains chlorophyll a, like higher plants, botanists classify it as a micro alga belonging to Cyanophyceae class; but according to bacteriologists it is a
bacterium due to its prokaryotic structure. Mexicans (Aztecs) started using this microorganism as human food. Its chemical composition includes
proteins (55%-70%), carbohydrates (15%-25%), essential fatty acids (18%) vitamins, minerals and pigments like carotenes, chlorophyll a and
phycocyanin. Pigments are used in food and cosmetic industries. Spirulina is considered as an excellent food, lacking toxicity and have anticancer,
antiviral, immunological properties and it also acts as a potent antioxidant. There has been a significant change in Spirulina functions under stress
conditions.
Keywords: Arthrospira, Cyanophyceae.
INTRODUCTION
Systematics
Morphology
Fig. 1: Light micrograph of Arthrospira maxima. B. Light micrograph of Arthrospira platensis. Bar represents 20m.
Ali et al.
Fig. 2: Morphology of Spirulina. (A) Optical microscopy (X400) of axenic S. platensis. (Photo by G. Caretta) (B) Scanning electron micrograph of
a trichome of axenic S. platensis. (Photo by R. Locci) (C) Electron micrograph of Arthrospira maxima in longitudinal section showing the
division of the trichome into cells by cross-walls (s). Note the abundance of gas vacuoles (gv), the bundles of the thylakoid membranes (t),
with associated phycobilisomes, many osmiophilic granules and ribosomes (r). (D) Electron micrograph of Arthrospira platensis in crosssection showing the multilayered cell wall (cw) and the subcellular organization of the cytoplasm. Note the accumulation of polyglucan
granules (pg) close to the longitudinal cell wall (cw) and in the interthylakoidal space. In the central cytoplasmic region there are some
carboxysomes (cs) (arrows) and two cylindrical bodies (cb). Bar represents 0.5 m. (C and D were adapted from48).
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Ultra-Structure
Prokaryotic organization with fibrils of DNA region, photosynthetic
system, pluri-stratified cell wall, capsule, ribosomes and numerous
inclusions13. Cell wall is made of four numbered layers: L I, L II, L III
and L IV (Ciferri 1983). The LI layer is not digestible by human
beings as contains b-1, 2-glucan, the L II layer contains protein and
lipopolysaccharides are favorite reasons for the easy human
digestion of Spirulina5.
Life Cycle
Spirulina: has profound antioxidant potential, Its true healthprotective merit has only recently been discovered. phycocyanobilin
(PCB), the chromophore bound to chief protein, phycocyanin, can
function as a potent inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, the enzyme
complex that is the chief source of pathological oxidant stress in a
wide range of health disorders28. It appears to mimic the
physiological activity of free bilirubin15. NADPH oxidase overactivity in disorders had suggested that ample intakes of Spirulina
may prevent and has therapeutic potential with respect to many
vascular diseases (including atherogenesis, hypertension, and
congestive heart failure), cancers, complications of diabetes, and a
range of neurodegenerative, fibrotic, or inflammatory disorder28.
Oral administration of phycocyanin or of whole Spirulina has
exerted central neuroprotective effects in rodent studies an
observation which strongly suggests that PCB can transit the blood
brain barrier16.
Spirulina is an ideal food and dietary supplement for the 21st
century by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the
United Nations32. The authentication of food ingredients is of crucial
concern to food processors since the purity of food ingredients is
easily subject to abuse by unscrupulous suppliers13, 34. Recent
technological advances for the determination of food authenticity,
Trends in Food Science and Technology7. Spirulina powder is one
such food product that is easily subject to tampering.
Fig. 4: Phycocyanobilin of Spirulina and Bilirubin of Higher fauna can mimic their activity
Antiviral activity of Spirulina
Spirulina has all bio-chemicals in its constitution that can build a
healthy immune system, which scavenges free radicals as well.
Compounds extracted from Arthrospira have inhibitory activity
against a wide range of viruses such as HIV-1, HSV-1, HSV-2, HCMV,
influenza type A, measles, etc. Extracts from cyanobacteria have
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Several studies have shown that Spirulina or its extracts can prevent
or inhibit cancers in humans and animals. In vitro studies suggest
the unique polysaccharides of Spirulina enhance cell nucleus enzyme
activity and DNA repair synthesis6.
Immunological Applications
Spirulina extract (250mg) plus zinc (2mg) twice daily for 16 weeks may
be useful for the treatment of chronic arsenic poisoning with melanosis
and keratosis30. The first human feeding study that demonstrates the
protective effects of Spirulina towards allergic rhinitis27.
Spirulina helps to protect against certain nutritional deficiencies. It
plays in the prevention of cancer, cellular ageing, infectious diseases
and reduced immune system efficiency, as well as playing an
important part in the functioning of the medulla (stimulation of the
erythropoiesis)18. Aqueous extract of Spirulina, has a protective
effect against apoptotic cell death due to free radicals12.
Food Type
Spirulina powder
Whole Dried egg
Beer Yeast
Skimmed powdered milk
Whole soybean flour
Parmesan Cheese
Wheat germ
Peanuts
Chicken
Fish
Beef meat
Crude Protein %
65
47
45
37
36
36
27
26
24
22
22
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mg 100 g-1
2.330.000 IU kg 1
140
100 a-tocopherol eq:
3.5
4
14
0.8
0.32
0.01
0.01
0.1
2.2
Fatty acid
(C14) Myristic acid
(C16) Palmitic acid
(C16:1)D9 Palmitoleic acid
(C18:1)D9 Oleic acid
(C18:2)D9,12 Linoleic acid
(C18:3)D9,12,15 g-Linolenic acid
Others
Mineral
Calcium
Chromium
Copper
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Potassium
Sodium
Zinc
Pigments
Carotenoids
Chlorophyll a
Phycocyanin
mg 100g-1
370
1000
14000
Name of Company
Earthrise Farms
Location
Calipatria, California, USA
Myanma Microalgae
Biotechnology Project
Cyanotech Corporation
Yangon, Myanmar
China
Nanjangud, Mysore District,
India
Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
Thailand
La Huayca, Chile
Genix
mg 100g-1
700
0.28
1.2
100
400
5
800
1400
900
3
Cuba
Total area
Intensive ponds, total area
150.000m2
Production (ton)
1995: 360
1996: 400
b 2002: 450
1995: 32
1996: 40
1995: 250
1996: 300
b 2002: 330
1994 - 1995 : 25
1995 - 1996: 85
1995: 70
1996: 80
2000: 150
1995: 30
1996: 40
b 2001: 100
2002: 135
2000 (Oct-Dec): 4.5
b 2001: 28,6
b 2002 (Jan - Oct): 13
b
b
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CONCLUSION
Spirulina is claimed as a non-toxic, nutritious food, with some
corrective properties against viral attacks, anemia, and tumoral
growth and as a source of the yellow coloration of egg yolk when
consumed by hens, and growth. This contains proteins,
carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, carotenes,
chlorophyll a and phycocyanin. There has been a significant change
in functional properties of Spirulina under stressed conditions (salt
and heat). Awareness of the better nutritional quality of sea food
proteins and lipids will soon make them a major source of protein in
the human diet.
14.
15.
16.
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