Spirulina (dietary supplement)
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 1,213 kJ (290 kcal) |
|
23.9 g
|
|
| Sugars | 3.1 g |
| Dietary fiber | 3.6 g |
|
7.72 g
|
|
| Saturated | 2.65 g |
| Monounsaturated | 0.675 g |
| Polyunsaturated | 2.08 g |
|
57.47 g
|
|
| Tryptophan | 0.929 g |
| Threonine | 2.97 g |
| Isoleucine | 3.209 g |
| Leucine | 4.947 g |
| Lysine | 3.025 g |
| Methionine | 1.149 g |
| Cystine | 0.662 g |
| Phenylalanine | 2.777 g |
| Tyrosine | 2.584 g |
| Valine | 3.512 g |
| Arginine | 4.147 g |
| Histidine | 1.085 g |
| Alanine | 4.515 g |
| Aspartic acid | 5.793 g |
| Glutamic acid | 8.386 g |
| Glycine | 3.099 g |
| Proline | 2.382 g |
| Serine | 2.998 g |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A equiv. |
(4%)
29 μg
(3%)
342 μg0 μg
|
| Thiamine (B1) |
(207%)
2.38 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
(306%)
3.67 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
(85%)
12.82 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
(70%)
3.48 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
(28%)
0.364 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
(24%)
94 μg |
| Vitamin B12 |
(0%)
0 μg |
| Choline |
(13%)
66 mg |
| Vitamin C |
(12%)
10.1 mg |
| Vitamin D |
(0%)
0 IU |
| Vitamin E |
(33%)
5 mg |
| Vitamin K |
(24%)
25.5 μg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium |
(12%)
120 mg |
| Iron |
(219%)
28.5 mg |
| Magnesium |
(55%)
195 mg |
| Manganese |
(90%)
1.9 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(17%)
118 mg |
| Potassium |
(29%)
1363 mg |
| Sodium |
(70%)
1048 mg |
| Zinc |
(21%)
2 mg |
| Other constituents | |
| Water | 4.68 g |
|
|
|
|
|
| Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
|
Spirulina represents a biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and other animals. There are two species, Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima.
Arthrospira is cultivated worldwide; used as a dietary supplement as well as a whole food; and is also available in tablet, flake and powder form. It is also used as a feed supplement in the aquaculture, aquarium and poultry industries.
Dried spirulina contains about 60% (51–71%) protein. It is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids, with slightly lower amounts of methionine, cysteine, and lysine compared to certain animal-derived products. From a nutritional point of view, spirulina is no better than other protein sources, but is more expensive gram-for-gram and may have adverse interactions when taken with prescribed drugs.
Provided in its typical supplement form as a dried powder having 5% water (table), a 100 gram amount of spirulina supplies 290 Calories and is a source (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of numerous nutrients, particularly B vitamins (thiamin and riboflavin, 207% and 306% DV, respectively) and dietary minerals, such as iron (219% DV) and manganese (90% DV) (table).
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Wikipedia