Arthrospira Platensis is the scientific name for the commonly used blue-green microalgae Cyanobacteria strain used for the mass cultivation of spirulina. Historically mistaken for Eukaryotes, a type of fungi, it is a non-toxic species of cyanobacteria with a wide array of medical, nutritional, and commercial value.
Arthrospira Platensis- An unusual strain in the Cyanobacteria Family
The prefix Cyano in Cyanobacteria indicates the blue-green color of Arthrospira Platensis, based on the wavelengths of light that it is able to absorb. While many bacteria are known for their pathogenic effects, A. Platensis is primarily known across the world for its high nutritional value. It is one of the rare edible cyanobacteria due to its low purine concentration, which allows it to pose very minimal risk of uric acid build up in the body, as opposed to most other cyanobacteria.
The Historical Origins of Arthrospira Platensis
Historically, it is known to have been regularly consumed by the Aztecs and tropical climate populations where it was often dried into flat patties for easy consumption. Because of its anti-carcinogen properties, it was also used to treat radiation sickness in people that were affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident. More recently, the consumption of this species has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol, which are two of the most prevalent health concerns in the modern world.
Arthrospira platensis in food and supplements
The food industry classifies Arthrospira Platensis as a single-celled protein, meaning that it is an edible microbe with high nutritional value. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, beta-carotene, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants, all of which have facilitated its commercial production as a human food supplement over the course of the past decade. It also has very high protein content with a well-balanced composition of all essential amino acids, making it even more desirable as a food supplement.
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