Spirulina
Spirulina is the dried biomass of filamentous cyanobacteria, mainly Arthrospira (now Limnospira) platensis and A. maxima, grown in open raceway ponds or closed photobioreactors in alkaline, bicarbonate-rich water. The culture is harvested by filtration, washed, and spray dried to a dark green powder that is also pressed into tablets. A water extract of the biomass, rich in the blue pigment phycocyanin, is sold separately as a food color.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Spray-dried whole biomass, the main form for drink mixes, bars and capsules. Sold by protein, phycocyanin and color specifications.
Powder pressed into tablets, sometimes with no binder; tablet hardness and disintegration go on the spec.
Biomass grown under an organic system, with the organic certificate tied to the lot. Organic grades differ from conventional mainly in the nutrient sources fed to the ponds.
Dried biomass extruded or broken into flakes for toppings and snacks.
Water extract concentrated for its blue pigment and sold as a color additive, often with a carrier such as trehalose or sugar. It is a separate ingredient with its own specification.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Keep powder sealed in foil-lined bags or drums with minimal headspace, cool and away from light, because the pigments fade and the fat oxidizes once exposed. Reseal opened bags promptly, since the powder picks up moisture and odor. Shelf life or retest date follows the supplier's specification, often with a phycocyanin retest.
Phycocyanin, color and protein vary with season, strain and pond, and microcystin results belong on every lot's COA. Record grow site and harvest date, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
GRN 127, for spirulina (the dried biomass of Arthrospira platensis) from Cyanotech Corporation and Earthrise Nutritionals, closed with FDA having no questions, noting some uses may require a color additive listing.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.530 lists spirulina extract, made by filtered aqueous extraction of the dried biomass of Arthrospira platensis, as a color additive exempt from certification.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Spirulina natural health product monograph lists Limnospira platensis, L. maxima, L. fusiformis and L. indica, using the whole organism.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Arthrospira platensis (POL-NF-00152) lists it as not novel in food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Kailua-Kona, HI
Sells it as Hawaiian Spirulina
Cyanotech grows microalgae on a farm in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and sells astaxanthin (from Haematococcus pluvialis) and spirulina in bulk to supplement and food makers.
Manufacturer · Irvine, CA
Earthrise Nutritionals grows spirulina at a farm in Calipatria, California, and sells spirulina powder and a blue spirulina extract (phycocyanin) for use as a food color. It is part of the DIC group.
Distributor · Sacramento, CA
Starwest Botanicals is a Sacramento company that mills and sells bulk organic herbs, spices, teas and botanical powders by the pound and in 25 lb bags, with wholesale accounts for businesses.
Manufacturer · Eustis, FL
Florida producer of CO2-extracted botanical and algae ingredients, including natural astaxanthin, saw palmetto extract, and organic spirulina and chlorella.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include powder, tablets, organic, flakes and crunchies and phycocyanin extract (spirulina extract). Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity (microscopy), protein and phycocyanin, microcystins, heavy metals, microbiology and moisture and color, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Keep powder sealed in foil-lined bags or drums with minimal headspace, cool and away from light, because the pigments fade and the fat oxidizes once exposed. Reseal opened bags promptly, since the powder picks up moisture and odor. Shelf life or retest date follows the supplier's specification, often with a phycocyanin retest.
GRN 127, for spirulina (the dried biomass of Arthrospira platensis) from Cyanotech Corporation and Earthrise Nutritionals, closed with FDA having no questions, noting some uses may require a color additive listing. 21 CFR 73.530 lists spirulina extract, made by filtered aqueous extraction of the dried biomass of Arthrospira platensis, as a color additive exempt from certification. Health Canada's Spirulina natural health product monograph lists Limnospira platensis, L. maxima, L. fusiformis and L. indica, using the whole organism. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Arthrospira platensis (POL-NF-00152) lists it as not novel in food.
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