Arthrospira platensis

Arthrospira is a genus of free-floating filamentous cyanobacteria characterized by cylindrical, multicellular trichomes in an open left-hand helix. A dietary supplement is made from A. platensis and A. maxima, known as spirulina. The A. maxima and A. platensis species were once classified in the genus Spirulina. Although the introduction of two separate genera is now generally accepted, there has been much dispute in the past and the resulting taxonomical confusion is tremendous. The common name, spirulina, refers to the dried biomass of A. platensis, which belongs to the oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria that cover the groups Cyanobacteria and Prochlorales. These photosynthetic organisms, Cyanobacteria, were first considered as algae until 1962 and for the first time, these blue-green algae were added to prokaryote kingdom and proposed to call these microorganisms as Cyanobacteria where algae are considered to be a very large and diverse group of eukaryotic organisms. This designation was accepted and published in 1974 by Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. Scientifically, quite a distinction exists between Spirulina and Arthrospira genera. Stizenberger, in 1852, gave the name Arthrospira based on the septa presence, helical form, and multicellular structure, and Gomont, in 1892, confirmed the aseptate form of the genus Spirulina. Geitler in 1932 reunified both members designating them as Spirulina without considering the septum. The worldwide research on microalgae was carried out in the name of Spirulina, but the original species exploited as food with excellent health properties belongs to genus Arthrospira. This common difference between scientists and customers is difficult to change. However, current taxonomy claims that the name Spirulina for strains which are used as food supplements is inappropriate, and agreement exists that Arthrospira is a distinct genus, consisting of over 30 different species, including A. platensis and A. maxima. The genus Arthrospira comprises helical trichomes of varying size and with various degrees of coiling, including tightly coiled morphology to even a straight form. The helical parameters of the shape of Arthrospira is known to differentiate between- and even within the same- species. These differences may be induced by changing environmental conditions, such as the growth temperature. The helical shape of the trichomes is only maintained in a liquid environment. The filaments are solitary and reproduce by binary fission, and the cells of the trichomes vary from 2 to 12 μm and can sometimes reach 16 μm. Arthrospira is very rich in proteins. Contents range from 53 to 68 percent by dry weight.Its protein harbours all essential amino acids. Arthrospira also contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), about 1.5-2 percent of the total lipid content of 5-6 percent. These PUFAs contain the γ-Linolenic acid (GLA), an essential Omega-6 Fatty acid. Further ingredients of Arthrospira include Vitamins, Minerals and Photosynthetic pigments. A detailed composition of the proteins and nutrients can be found in the Spirulina (dietary supplement) article. Species of the genus Arthrospira have been isolated from alkaline brackish and saline waters in tropical and subtropical regions. Among the various species included in the genus, 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. A. platensis and A. maxima occur naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes with alkaline 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, and A. pacifica is endemic to the Hawaiian islands. Most cultivated spirulina is produced in open-channel raceway 70th ponds, with paddle-wheels used to agitate the water. The largest commercial producers of spirulina are located in the United States, Thailand, India, Taiwan, China, Pakistan, Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar), Greece and Chile. Spirulina is widely known as a food supplement today, but there’s a variety of other possible applications for this cyanobacterium. As an example, it is suggested to be used medically for patients for whom it is difficult to chew or swallow food, or as a natural and cheap drug delivery carrier. Further, promising results in the treatment of certain cancers, allergies and anemia, as well as hepato-toxicity and vascular diseases were found. Next to that, spirulina could also be interesting as a healthy additional animal feed if the price of its production can be further reduced. Spirulina may also be used in technical applications, such as the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, which allows the formation of metallic silver in an environmentally friendly way.Also in the creation of textiles it harbors some advantages, since it can be used for the production of antimicrobial textiles. And paper or polymer materials may be produced with this versatile small organism.This microalga is also known for its antioxidant activity and it maintains the ecological balance in aquatic bodies and reduces various stresses in the aquatic environment. Growth of Arthrospira platensis depends on several factors. To achieve maximum output, factors such as the temperature, light and photoinhibition, nutrients, and CO2 level, need to be adjusted. In summer the main limiting factor of spirulina growth is light. When growing in water depths of 12–15 cm self-shading governs the growth of the individual cell. However, research has shown, that growth is also photoinhibited, and can be increased through shading. The level of photoinhibiton versus the lack of light is always a question of cell concentration in the medium. The optimal growth temperature for A. platensis is 35 – 38 °C. This poses a major limiting factor outside the tropics, confining growth to the summer months. A. platensis has been grown in fresh water, as well as in brackish water and sea water. Apart from mineral fertilizer various sources such as, waste effluents, and effluents from fertilizer, starch and noodle factories have been used as nutrient source.Especially the waste effluents are also available in rural locations, allowing small scale production.One of the major hurdles for larger scale production is the complicated harvesting process that makes up for 20-30% of the total production costs. Due to small size, and diluted cultures (mass concentration less than 1 g/L-1) with densities close to that of water microalgae are difficult to separate from their medium.