Iran Producing Spirulina Algae as Superfood for Astronauts
“There is potential for growing this type of algae in Bushehr province and several companies have embarked on growing the spirunila algae which can bring wealth to the villages with salty water in this province,” said Mohammad Mohammadi.
“Today, we have created the largest production center of spirulina algae in the country which can be produced in food, human, livestock, cosmetic and health grades,” he added.
Mohammadi explained that the nutritional value of spirulina is so high that it was included in the diet of astronauts to provide a lot of energy at a very low volume.
“Spirulina algae is used as a superfood and since in the future, food resources will be greatly reduced, therefore, this algae can be used to compensate for this deficiency,” he said.
Mohammadi noted that spirulina algae can also be grown in Hormuzgan and Sistan and Balouchestan provinces.
Spirulina is a biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and animals. The three species are Arthrospira platensis, A. fusiformis, and A. maxima.
Cultivated worldwide, Arthrospira is used as a dietary supplement or whole food. It is also used as a feed supplement in the aquaculture, aquarium, and poultry industries.
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