Arthrospira platensis Gomont, A. maxima Setchell & N.L.Gardner

Spirulina platensis (Gomont) Geitler (= A. platensis); S. maxima (Setchell & N.L.Gardner) Geitler (= A. maxima)

Phormidiaceae

Biomass of cultured spirulina (a cyanobacterium/blue-green algae), as dried powder

Spirulina contains high levels of proteins (55–70% dry weight), vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, including γ-linolenic acid (GLA) and β-carotene. Phycocyanin, a phycobiliprotein, is one of the major pigment constituents of spirulina (Habib et al. 2008; Soltani et al. 2012). Although spirulina has been promoted as a source of vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin) for use by vegans, pseudovitamin B₁₂ is the predominant cobamide found in cyanobacteria and is not bioavailable to humans (Watanabe 2007).

A few preliminary clinical trials have investigated the functional effects of spirulina, but evidence from robust high quality trials is lacking.