What is Spirulina Algae ?
Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae that exists as a single celled organism turning sunlight into life energy.
It is one of the first life forms designed by nature more than 3.6 billion years ago. Spirulina contains billions of years of evolutionary wisdom in its DNA and is an offspring of earth’s first photosynthetic life forms.
Under the microscope, Spirulina is a blue-green color and has the appearance of a spiral of long thin threads.
Spirulina is exceedingly adaptable and occurs in a wide variety of environments including fresh water, tropical springs, saltwater and saltpans.
Spirulina is full of nutrients and very easily digested. Commercially, Spirulina is available as a powder, tablet and capsule or added to foods and health tonics.
There are many forms of valuable algae and in the last 40 years Spirulina has been singled out for its nutritional properties. Long before it became a favorite of the health food industry, Spirulina was eaten regularly by North Africans and Mexicans centuries ago. Now many people around the globe realize that Spirulina is a powerful food with huge potential as a whole food source, medicine and biochemical resource.
A great deal of research has concentrated on the cultivation and harvesting of what is affectionately referred to as ‘the green’. It has been described as ‘probiotic’ and a ‘superfood’.
The cultivation of Spirulina has also brought interest because, as with most micro algae, Spirulina is extremely adaptable, often thriving in extreme conditions. With its rich nutritional goodness and ability to grow in adverse conditions, Spirulina has a huge potential to be a food source that will help feed and nourish the worlds population.
As a plant, Spirulina is incredibly rich containing a balance of nutrients that make it virtually a ‘whole food’ capable of sustaining life without the need for other foods.
Spirulina provides vitamins, many minerals, essential amino acids, carbohydrates and enzymes. Spirulina is at least 60% vegetable protein, which is predigested by the algae, making it a highly digestible food. It is higher in protein than any other food. Its outstanding nutritional profile also includes the essential fatty acids, GLA fatty acid, lipids, the nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), B complex, vitamin C and E and phytochemicals, such as carotenoids, chlorophyll (blood purifier), and phycocyanin (a blue pigment), which is a protein that is known to inhibit cancer.
A breakdown in nutritional terms of a few of the most commonly available supplements reveals an impressive comparison.
Spirulina in water
How is it grown?
Spirulina thrives in natural alkaline lakes. Spirulina farming is part of the new era of ecological agriculture. The key component in the production of Spirulina is sunlight and attention is given to measurement of temperature and oxygen levels.
Because pesticides and herbicides would kill many microscopic life forms in a pond, algae scientists have learned how to balance pond ecology without the use of these harmful substances.
This form of aquaculture represents one of the solutions needed to produce food while restoring the planet.
Why Certifed Organic ?
Humans create toxic waste, spill oil in the oceans, fill the air with acid rain and car exhaust and dump herbicides and pesticides into the soil. Unfortunately, this story of destroying our planet is still unfolding, and we are all its authors. Theres no question that lives will be much poorer if conventional farming continues to pollute water, changing historic landscapes into arable deserts, reducing the ozone layer for the sake of a few more strawberries and allowing the return of diseases that modern society believed it had beaten. For healthy human race with happy prospects and for sake of our planet, choose organic food.
Fresh Spirulina
Ensures no Pesticides are used
Pesticides. People simply dont understand how dangerous they are, most of the commonly used manmade pesticides are potential carcinogens…some of them are related to nerve gases and all of them are poisonous. They have to be — they are designed to kill. But what we dont know is what the accumulation of potent pesticide residues do to us. Studies suggest that low-level exposure to pesticides over several years can cause health problems. The health effects of pesticides in our food and the environment are slowly becoming clear; immune suppression, hormone disruption, neurological damage,birth defects, cancer and nerve damage.
Additives
As if pesticides in our food were not enough, we are forced to ingest food additives. Have you ever wondered what is added to food before it is packaged? Or, have you ever found yourself perplexed by words like tocopherol, propionic acid, or carrageenan on a food label?
Food additives are defined as substances that are added to food during processing, but are not normally consumed by themselves as foods. But the larger question is why do food companies use additives in any amounts? And, why should we purchase foods that contain these additives if there is even the slightest health risk? Since artificial colours arent necessary to preserve the food or enhance food safety and quality, (and may cause medical problems in some people) its best to do without this particular type of additive.
The seven thousand artificial additives permitted in non-organic foods are used to make food last beyond its natural sell-by date, make it appear brighter or more colourful, and/or taste sweeter, saltier or just plain better than the manufacturer could manage without these crutches. At best, these additives are unnecessary and annoying to those who question their use and usefulness. At worst, they are possible carcinogens and could be causing damage that no one has bothered to study.
Is Algae oil the sustainable low cost fuel of the future?
Algae has recently shot to prominence thanks to President Obama and the US elections, as a high yield, environmentally-sound renewable and potentially low cost transport fuel source.
Currently the well-established process for fossil fuel substitution has been plant based products such as soy, corn. However more recently algae, been hailed as the solution to our fossil fuel addiction, energy security, import replacement and sustainable fuels.
Indeed with the debate raging around the cost and sustainability and viability of crops to fuels, algae has emerged as a sustainable solution. clear winner. Algae, the fastest growing photosynthetic organisms on earth, can accumulate greater than 50% of their dry weight in oil and double their size within 2-5 hours.
A recent CSIRO report has named the organisms as a more viable solution with regard to cost and greenhouse gas emissions, than fossil fuels.
Algae fuel technologies use algae to produce fuels by combining light, carbon dioxide, water and nutrients for photosynthesis. In addition, the carbon capture is a clear benefit with algae production plants capable of absorbing CO2 waste from power stations and manufacturing facilities.
As more companies initiate production of algae fuels to meet biofuel targets throughout the USA, Asia and Europe, the debate now centres on the viability of the production method.
Land and water usage are key factors when producing algae and the pond method is challenged in both these areas. Many companies base their production around open pond systems. Increasingly these companies are focusing their attention on the production of algae outcomes producing high value product applications.
Using a combination of open water ponds and photobioreactors, requiring only carbon dioxide (CO2), sunlight, water, and nutrients. CCRES technology optimizes conditions for cultivation to improve efficiency using optimal turbulence in the water and the effective use of selected nutrients.
CCRES demonstration facility plays a pivotal role in testing and improving algae technology lineup to achieve cost reductions and efficiency benefits.
Once harvested, there are a number of conversion technologies that can be used to convert the algal oil into high quality biofuels, including transesterification and hydrotreating. The residual defatted biomass and carbohydrates can also be used to make a fishmeal replacement or animal feed supplement for the aquaculture and animal feed markets.
Our priorities are sustainability, productivity, cost-effectiveness, safety, and respect for the environment and communities. Our research and development activities at the demonstration facility are currently focused on yield improvement and cost reductions through engineering research.
HOW TO GROW SPIRULINA
If you want to grow Spirulina, you have to make sure that the following characteristics are present:
Spirulina is not likely to grow in sites that are constantly cold. Warmer temperatures are needed to achieve the growth of Spirulina.
Spirulina needs adequate sunlight. Sunlight causes a cell reaction in Spirulina, and when this reaction begins, Spirulina will create nutrients for itself. The more sunlight it gets, the more nutrients it will create.
The source of water should be clean. Preferably, the water should be alkaline and saline-based.
There should be no pollution which might affect Spirulina since it also gets its nutrients from the water.
The best pond sites for Spirulina are concrete ponds. The cement should be well hardened, dry, and thoroughly whitewashed. However, if you are making economical ponds, plastic film with U.V. protection will also do well.
Also, make sure that your site is well illuminated. However, be advised that illumination should not be strong when the temperature drops below 15 degrees Celsius.
You should use water that is clear from impurities such as algae. Portable clean water can be used in the pond. Meanwhile, salty water can also bring good results. However, you should test its contents before using it to water Spirulina. Water containing calcium can also be used, but you have to observe if it causes mud to form.
If you use fertilizers to supply the nutrients needed by Spirulina, make sure that it is the soluble type. Avoid those fertilizers that contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium as Spirulina absorbs these easily.
To harvest Spirulina, it is advised that you harvest it during mornings, as the sunlight will help you to easily dry it. In addition, proteins present in Spirulina are found to be higher during mornings.
Spirulina tastes best when freshly harvested. Keep in mind that it will lose its freshness after a couple of days in the fridge and only a couple of hours at room temperature. Freezing is the most suitable method of keeping the freshness of Spirulina.
As if pesticides in our food were not enough, we are forced to ingest food additives. Have you ever wondered what is added to food before it is packaged? Or, have you ever found yourself perplexed by words like tocopherol, propionic acid, or carrageenan on a food label?
Food additives are defined as substances that are added to food during processing, but are not normally consumed by themselves as foods. But the larger question is why do food companies use additives in any amounts? And, why should we purchase foods that contain these additives if there is even the slightest health risk? Since artificial colours arent necessary to preserve the food or enhance food safety and quality, (and may cause medical problems in some people) its best to do without this particular type of additive.
The seven thousand artificial additives permitted in non-organic foods are used to make food last beyond its natural sell-by date, make it appear brighter or more colourful, and/or taste sweeter, saltier or just plain better than the manufacturer could manage without these crutches. At best, these additives are unnecessary and annoying to those who question their use and usefulness. At worst, they are possible carcinogens and could be causing damage that no one has bothered to study.
CCRES ALGAE
Is Algae oil the sustainable low cost fuel of the future?
Algae has recently shot to prominence thanks to President Obama and the US elections, as a high yield, environmentally-sound renewable and potentially low cost transport fuel source.
Currently the well-established process for fossil fuel substitution has been plant based products such as soy, corn. However more recently algae, been hailed as the solution to our fossil fuel addiction, energy security, import replacement and sustainable fuels.
Indeed with the debate raging around the cost and sustainability and viability of crops to fuels, algae has emerged as a sustainable solution. clear winner. Algae, the fastest growing photosynthetic organisms on earth, can accumulate greater than 50% of their dry weight in oil and double their size within 2-5 hours.
A recent CSIRO report has named the organisms as a more viable solution with regard to cost and greenhouse gas emissions, than fossil fuels.
Algae fuel technologies use algae to produce fuels by combining light, carbon dioxide, water and nutrients for photosynthesis. In addition, the carbon capture is a clear benefit with algae production plants capable of absorbing CO2 waste from power stations and manufacturing facilities.
As more companies initiate production of algae fuels to meet biofuel targets throughout the USA, Asia and Europe, the debate now centres on the viability of the production method.
Land and water usage are key factors when producing algae and the pond method is challenged in both these areas. Many companies base their production around open pond systems. Increasingly these companies are focusing their attention on the production of algae outcomes producing high value product applications.
LEADING ALGAE PRODUCTION FACILITY IN THE CROATIA
Using a combination of open water ponds and photobioreactors, requiring only carbon dioxide (CO2), sunlight, water, and nutrients. CCRES technology optimizes conditions for cultivation to improve efficiency using optimal turbulence in the water and the effective use of selected nutrients.
CCRES demonstration facility plays a pivotal role in testing and improving algae technology lineup to achieve cost reductions and efficiency benefits.
Once harvested, there are a number of conversion technologies that can be used to convert the algal oil into high quality biofuels, including transesterification and hydrotreating. The residual defatted biomass and carbohydrates can also be used to make a fishmeal replacement or animal feed supplement for the aquaculture and animal feed markets.
Our priorities are sustainability, productivity, cost-effectiveness, safety, and respect for the environment and communities. Our research and development activities at the demonstration facility are currently focused on yield improvement and cost reductions through engineering research.
HOW TO GROW SPIRULINA
If you want to grow Spirulina, you have to make sure that the following characteristics are present:
Spirulina is not likely to grow in sites that are constantly cold. Warmer temperatures are needed to achieve the growth of Spirulina.
Spirulina needs adequate sunlight. Sunlight causes a cell reaction in Spirulina, and when this reaction begins, Spirulina will create nutrients for itself. The more sunlight it gets, the more nutrients it will create.
The source of water should be clean. Preferably, the water should be alkaline and saline-based.
There should be no pollution which might affect Spirulina since it also gets its nutrients from the water.
The best pond sites for Spirulina are concrete ponds. The cement should be well hardened, dry, and thoroughly whitewashed. However, if you are making economical ponds, plastic film with U.V. protection will also do well.
Also, make sure that your site is well illuminated. However, be advised that illumination should not be strong when the temperature drops below 15 degrees Celsius.
You should use water that is clear from impurities such as algae. Portable clean water can be used in the pond. Meanwhile, salty water can also bring good results. However, you should test its contents before using it to water Spirulina. Water containing calcium can also be used, but you have to observe if it causes mud to form.
If you use fertilizers to supply the nutrients needed by Spirulina, make sure that it is the soluble type. Avoid those fertilizers that contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium as Spirulina absorbs these easily.
To harvest Spirulina, it is advised that you harvest it during mornings, as the sunlight will help you to easily dry it. In addition, proteins present in Spirulina are found to be higher during mornings.
Spirulina tastes best when freshly harvested. Keep in mind that it will lose its freshness after a couple of days in the fridge and only a couple of hours at room temperature. Freezing is the most suitable method of keeping the freshness of Spirulina.
CCRES SPIRULINA
project of NGO
CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)
