Abstract
Abstract Health safety of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) for food application was evaluated through hematology and histopathology of liver, spleen and kidney in Sprague Dawley rats fed on three isoproteic diets maintained to 10% protein for forty five days. Three groups of rats were maintained as control diet casein (R-C); diet containing crude spirulina (R-S) and diet containing purified spirulina protein (R-SPI). Hematological profile of the rats group fed on spirulina diets showed no significant increase in white blood cells (WBCs), while there was decreasing trend in the levels of neutrophils (60.46 ± 2.60%) and lymphocytes (33.53 ± 1.06%) in rats that were fed on spirulina diet (R-S) than the other tested experimental diet group. Histopathological examination revealed normal architecture of the liver with no abnormality in kidneys and spleen exhibiting safety of spirulina in both forms to mitigate protein energy malnutrition widely prevalent in developing countries.
Highlights
Consumer demands and interest regarding use of “natural green” additives in different food products is greater than ever mainly due to food safety related issues
Means for effect of spirulina and Spirulina protein isolate (SPI) supplemented diets on red blood cells (RBC) in rats (Table 2) showed slightly high value (8.72 ± 1.02 cells/pL) in rats fed on diet containing spirulina
Means for effect of different diets and study intervals on monocytes in rats (Table 2) showed 5.95 ± 0.36% monocytes in rats fed on diet containing spirulina, 5.94 ± 0.34% in rat group fed on spirulina protein isolates and 5.90 ± 0.26% control diet
Summary
Consumer demands and interest regarding use of “natural green” additives in different food products is greater than ever mainly due to food safety related issues. Spirulina is good source of protein, vitamin A, D, E and B group; whereas among the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper and selenium helps in improving general health and vigour (Jiwan et al, 2010; Ravi et al, 2010). The major bioactive components of spirulina are phycocyanin, γ-linolenic acid, sulfated polysaccharides, mixed carotenoids, phytonutrients, and essential amino acids which are believed to play important role in improving human body defense system (Simpore et al, 2006). Hematological profile was improved after consumption of spirulina that contained highly available form of iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, vitamin B6 & B12, and folic acid which are essential for haemopoiesis (Kaur et al, 2009). The prepared bars were fed to rats and histopathological and hematological examination of rats were carried out assess the safety level of spirulina
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
