SPIRULINA Short Note About it

A Spirulina, a Blue Green Algae. It is the highest source of protein (55-70%).Amount of Iron is (58 mg/10) gm and vitamin B12 is (0.2 mg/100) . A good source of vitamin A(1400 I.U/) also. Why it call medicine? Because when using as a medicine it can combat ulcer, diabetes, pancreatitis, night blindness, malnutrition etc. Production of Spirulina in Bangladesh started in the Applied Botany Section. Biological Research Division, Bangladesh.Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories (BCSIR) in Dhaka. BCSIR scientists adopted the technology within 6 months. When Adopting the technology BCSIR scientists had to modify it . Up to certain extent to suit the climate and economic condition of Bangladesh. Spirulina is among the world’s most popular supplements.It is loaded with various nutrients and antioxidants that may benefit your body and brain.

Etymology and ecology

The species A. maxima and A. platensis were once classified in the genus Spirulina. The common name, spirulina, refers to the dried biomass of A. platensis, which belongs to photosyntheticbacteria that cover the groups Cyanobacteria and Prochlorophyta. Scientifically, a distinction exists between spirulina and the genus Arthrospira. Species of Arthrospira have been isolated from alkaline brackish and saline waters in tropical and subtropical regions. Among the various species included in the genus Arthrospira, A. platensis is the most widely distributed and is mainly found in Africa, but also in Asia. A. maxima is believed to be found in California and Mexico. The term spirulina remains in use for historical reasons.

Spirulina species

Arthrospira species are free-floating, filamentous cyanobacteria characterized by cylindrical, multicellular trichomes in an open left-handed helix. They occur naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes with high pH and high concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate.A. platensis occurs in Africa, Asia, and South America, whereas A. maxima is confined to Central America.Most cultivated spirulina is produced in open-channel raceway ponds, with paddle wheels used to agitate the water.

Spirulina thrives at a pH around 8.5 and above, which will get more alkaline, and a temperature around 30 °C (86 °F). They are autotrophic, meaning that they are able to make their own food, and do not need a living energy or organic carbon source. In addition, a nutrient feed for growing it is.