Mineral profile of edible algae Spirulina platensis

Spirulina platensis, is a photosynthetic, filamentous, spiral-shaped, multicellular and bluegreen 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 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. The extracts of Spirulina could prevent or inhibit cancer in humans and animals and has immunopromoting effects. It is the most important commercial micro alga for the production of biomass as health, food and animal. In the present study, the mineral profile of Spirulina platensis was analysed. The results conclude that among minerals, potassium has the maximum composition followed by phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, iron and sodium. 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 dietary supplement. K e y w o r d s