Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis)
Scientific Name: Arthrospira platensis — Spirulina, Blue-Green Microalga.
Native Home: Alkaline lakes and warm-water environments, especially in Africa and other tropical regions.
Height: Microscopic; individual filaments are typically a few micrometres wide.
Lifespan: Rapidly reproducing microorganism; cultures can grow within days under suitable conditions.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Not applicable.
Harvesting: Biomass is filtered from the culture water, washed, and dried.
Age to Harvest: Approximately 5–14 days for initial biomass production under suitable cultivation conditions.
Products: Spirulina powder, tablets, food ingredients, and aquaculture feed.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Spirulina from Lake Texcoco in Mexico was consumed by the Aztecs; it has also been collected from Lake Chad in Africa.
Global Spread: Commercially cultivated in India, China, the United States, and other warm-climate regions.
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