Cited by 84Seaweed-derived Bioactive CompoundsAlgal biology and biofuel productionAquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics

Spirulina- An Edible Cyanobacterium with Potential Therapeutic Health Benefits and Toxicological Consequences

Gogna, Simran, Kaur, Jaspreet, Sharma, Kartik, Prasad, Rasane, Singh, Jyoti, Bhadariya, Vishesh, Kumar, Prashant, Jarial, Sapna·2023·Journal of the American Nutrition Association

Abstract

Spirulina is a blue-green algae which is cultivated not only for its maximum protein content but also due to the presence of other essential nutrients such as carbohydrates and vitamins (A, C and E). It is also a storehouse of minerals including iron, calcium, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc. Simultaneously, γ- linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid), as well as pigments such as chlorophyll A and phycobiliproteins (C-phycocyanin, allophycocyanin and β-carotene), is also a major component of its rich nutritional profile. Spirulina is known to have various promising effects on the prevention of cancer, oxidative stress, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and anemia. Moreover, it also plays a positive role in treating muscular cramps. The safety recommended dosage of Spirulina is approximately 3-10 g/d for adults and it's biological value (BV) is 75 with a net protein utilization (NPU) of 62. Spirulina does not have pericardium due to which it does not hinder the absorption of iron by chelation with phytates or oxalates. On the contrasting note, it may have some adverse effects due to the toxins (microcystins, β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA)) produced by Spirulina which might contribute to acute poisoning, cancer, liver damage as well as gastrointestinal disturbances. Its long-term consumption may also lead to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The current review focuses on the various aspects of spirulina including its cultivation, nutritional composition, extraction techniques, health benefits, adverse effects, industrial scope and market value which could be beneficial for its utilization in the development of value-added products and supplementary foods due to its high content of protein and bioavailability of nutrients.

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Crossref · 10.1080/27697061.2022.2103852

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Authors
Gogna, S., Kaur, J., Sharma, K., Prasad, R., Singh, J., Bhadariya, V., Kumar, P., & Jarial, S.
Affiliations
  • Lovely Professional University (IN)
  • Prince of Songkla University (TH)
  • Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
Corresponding author
Kaur, Jaspreet
Venue
Journal of the American Nutrition Association
Published
2022-08-02
Volume
42
Issue
6
Pages
559-572
ISSN
  • 2769-7061 (ISSN-L)
  • 2769-707X
OpenAlex
W4289521185
Cited by
83
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 2
FWCI
1.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of the American Nutrition Association (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
Keywords
Spirulina, cyanobacteria, nutritional composition, protein content, phycocyanin, phycobiliproteins, gamma-linolenic acid, microcystins, BMAA, neurotoxicity, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cancer prevention, oxidative stress, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, iron bioavailability, dietary supplements, spirulina cultivation, extraction methods, value-added products
MeSH terms
Chlorophyll A, Carbohydrates, Iron, Phycobiliproteins, Spirulina

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