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Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2015) 4(1): 478-483

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 4 Number 1 (2015) pp. 478-483 http://www.ijcmas.com

Original Research Article profile of edible algae Spirulina platensis

J. Carolin Joe Rosario* and R. Mary Josephine

Nirmala college for women, Coimbatore, India *Corresponding author

A B S T R A C T

Spirulina platensis, is a photosynthetic, filamentous, spiral-shaped, multicellular and blue- green micro alga. 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 as human . Its chemical composition K e y w o r d s includes (55%-70%), (15%-25%), essential fatty acids (18%), , and pigments like carotenes, chlorophyll a and Spirulina phycocyanin. Pigments are used in food and cosmetic industries. The extracts of platensis, Spirulina could prevent or inhibit cancer in humans and animals and has immuno- Mineral profile, promoting effects. It is the most important commercial micro alga for the Dietary production of biomass as health, food and animal. In the present study, the mineral supplement profile of Spirulina platensis was analysed. The results conclude that among minerals, has the maximum composition followed by phosphorous, , , and . Based on the results, Spirulina supplementations proved with a larger evidence and based on scientific validation studies has been accepted by global accreditation as a safe nutritional and .

Introduction

Systemic classification length, which makes some individual cells Phylum:Cyanobacteria visible to the naked eye. There are several Class: Cyanophyceae species of Spirulina. Order: Oscillatoriales Genus: Spirulina The most commonly used nutritional Species: platensis supplements are Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima. Although Spirulina in The name Spirulina comes from a Latin fact is a it is commonly referred to word meaning tiny spiral. It is microscopic, as a type of algae. It is estimated to have spiral-shaped, belong to the phylum been around for 3.5 billion years, making it Cyanobacteria. Even though it is single- one of the older photosynthetic life forms. celled attaining sizes of 0.5 millimeters in

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Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2015) 4(1): 478-483

Spirulina platensis (Fig.1) was found in has pluri-stratified cell wall, photosynthetic abundance at the lake by French researchers, or thylakoid lamella system, ribosomes and trait within the 1960s, it is used as a daily fibrils of DNA region and numerous food source after the 16th century. The first inclusions are present. The capsule has large-scale production plant was established fibrillar structure and covers each filament in the early 1970s and drew attention protecting it. The irregular presence of worldwide. Today it is consumed by capsule around the filaments in S.platensis is millions of people all over the world and a differentiating morphological they are discovering lots of health benefits characteristic to compare with S.maxima. apart from its nutritive value. Trichome width varies from 6 to 12 m, and is composed of cylindrical cells. The helix Habitat diameter varies from 30 to 70 m; the trichome length is about 500 m. It is very Spirulina is found in tropical and subtropical important to explain that the helical shape of regions in warm bodies of with high Spirulina in liquid culture is changed to carbonate/bicarbonate content, elevated pH spiral shape in solid media. These changes and salinity. Their large, gas-vacuolate are due to hydratation or dehydratation of filaments (3 to 12 m in diameter) are easily oligopeptides in the peptidoglycan layer. collected by filtration and other physical Cell division occurs by binary fission. means of separation. Spirulina was isolated from sample in 1827 by Turpin. Materials and Methods It has been on the planet over 3 billion years. It still grows wild and abundantly around the Collection of sample world in very alkaline, mineral-rich, largely pollution-free, soda lakes. However, the Spirulina platensis was manufactured and fresh-water ponds and lakes favors are purchased from Genius nature herbs Pvt. notably more alkaline, in the range of 8 to Ltd., Coimbatore. 11 pH, than ordinary lakes and cannot sustain any other forms of . Mineral Analysis This water is too salty (up to pH 11) to support fish to use for growing terrestrial The mineral analysis was found out by crops or for drinking. But it is perfect for using Atomic Absorption growing Spirulina. It thrives in very warm Spectrophotometer (AAS) by (AOAC, of 32 to 45 C (approximately 85 to 1995); (Gupta, 1999). 112 F) and has even survived in temperatures of 60 C (140 F). In fact, the Results and Discussion hotter it gets and the more the mineral concentrate as water evaporates faster and The sample Spirulina was analsyed to find more prolifically Spirulina grows. out the mineral profile and was represented ( table and chart). In the present study based Morphology on mineral composition potassium (930.0mg) and calcium (876.0mg) was Spirulina belongs to the oxygenic showed the maximum content, followed by photosynthetic bacteria that cover the groups phosphorous (230mg) and magnesium Cyanobacteria They are filamentous and (205.0mg), iron (29.0mg) and sodium non-heterocystous. They are prokaryotic, (32.0mg) was found to be very low. Iron in

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Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2015) 4(1): 478-483 some nutritional complements is not minerals without benefit to health because appropriately absorbed. Thus Spirulina is the body does not know what to do with considered as an excellent food, lacking these incompatible forms. In fact, evidence and have anticancer, antiviral, is accumulating that the inorganic minerals immunological properties and it also acts as can block absorption of the organic forms, a potent . The and leading ultimately to mineral contents of edible seaweeds make diseases. them nutritionally valuable. Thus Spirulina contains essential minerals Manivannan et al (2009) reported the and trace elements absorbed from its growth mineral composition of different groups of medium into chelated, easily absorbed seaweeds such as Chlorophyceae (Ulva forms: lactuca, Enteromorpha intestinalis) Phaeophyceae (Turbinaria ornata, Padina POTASSIUM: A crucial mineral that gymnospora) and Rhodophyceae ( Hypnae regulates body balance. valentiae, Gracilaria folifera ) from Deficiency can cause heart arrest, Mandapam coastal regions and found that hypertension, adrenal exhaustion and P.gymnospora was showed the maximum muscular collapse. content of mineral composition such as CALCIUM: The most abundant mineral , , iron, , sulphur and in the body, it is especially important to calcium content and potassium than other and dental health, but is also seaweeds. Seaweeds are known as an involved in neural transmissions to the excellent source of vitamins and minerals, muscles. Spirulina supplies about as especially sodium and , due to their much calcium, gram for gram, as . . high polysaccharide content which could be MAGNESIUM: Deficiency can lead to the . Muthuraman and spasmodic muscle disorders, including Ranganathan (2004) selected six species of cardiac irregularities. Helps assimilation marine macro algae viz., Caulerpa of , vitamin B and . scalpelliformis, Cladophora vagabunda, : Activates Enteromorpha compressa, Halimeda systems along with . Promotes macroloba, Ulva fasciata and activity of neurotransmitter acetylcholine Chaetomorpha antennina to investigate and helps to stabilize blood . protein, amino acids, and IRON : Promotes formation of contents. Mineral content are shown to vary , the -carrying blood according to species, wave exposure, pigment found in healthy red blood cells. seasonal, annual, environmental and is most common among physiological factors and the type of women in their reproductive years. processing and method of mineralization : The second most (Honya et al.,1993; Fleurence, and Le abundant mineral in the , it Coeur, 1993; Mabeau, and Fleurence, 1993; is found practically in every cell. Yamamoto et al.,1979; Yoshie 1994). Functions with calcium to maintain bone Transformed into natural organic forms by density. Helps to digest carbohydrates Spirulina, minerals become chelated with and the niacin and riboflavin. amino acids and are therefore more easily assimilated by the body. Many times people Iron in some nutritional complements is not have ingested large amounts of inorganic appropriately absorbed. Iron in Spirulina is

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60% better absorbed than ferrous sulfate and attacks and tumoral growth and as a source other complements. Consequently, it could of the yellow coloration of egg when represent an adequate source of iron in consumed by hens. By taking Spirulina, anemic pregnant women (Courtesy of people are able to maintain consistent Earthrise Farms Spirulina Library Earthrise energy levels. In addition, because it is so Company. 424 Payran Street, Petaluma, CA high in minerals, protein and essential fatty 94952 USA). acids it is a healthy energy food that is especially useful for people on low-calorie Thus the results of the present study proved diets. It lowers cholesterol, suppresses fatty that Spirulina platensis is used as a potential accumulation in the , prevents tumor health food in human and used in food formation, enhances the immune system and industry as a source of ingredients especially protects kidneys. Thus in Indian system of with high minerals. S.platensis are known to medicine, the blue green algae S.platensis is contain an excellent source of minerals, considered as an important source of food especially calcium and potassium. Spirulina and as health tonic. is claimed as a non-toxic, nutritious food, with some corrective properties against viral

Table.1 Mineral profile of Spirulina platensis

S.No Parameter Values 1. Potassium 930.0 mg 2. Calcium 876.0 mg 3. Phosphorous 230.0 mg 4. Magnesium 205.0 mg 5. Iron 29.0 mg 6. Sodium 32.0 mg

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Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2015) 4(1): 478-483

Fig.1 Spirulina platensis Fig.2 Spirulina powder

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