The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics

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An Assessment of Nutritional Value of a Local Strain of Spirulina platensis Using Fish Model


Affiliations
1 Departments of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, India
2 Departments of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, India
     

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Spirulina has the highest protein content among plants on earth. Therefore, it is favoured as a good diet supplement for growth and weight gains of malnourished children and adults, ruminants, weaning piglets, silkworm, fish Tilapia and Broiler chicks. Along with maximum protein content, Spirulina also contains lipids, vitamins, minerals and β carotene. The antioxidant property of β carotene is known to have anti-tumour effects in most animals and human beings. Spirulina feeding therefore prevented oral cancer in rats, whereas its blue pigment (phycocyanin) increased survival rate of mice injected with liver tumour cells, hence improved their immune system. Therapeutic properties such as lowering of cholesterol level in humans as well as alleviating premenstrual syndrome have been documented on Spirulina platensis. Spirulina has also been found effective against deadly viruses such as Herpes simplex virus type-1 and AIDS virus.
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  • An Assessment of Nutritional Value of a Local Strain of Spirulina platensis Using Fish Model

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Authors

Shweta Sharma
Departments of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, India
Subhasini Sharma
Departments of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, India
Arvind Pareek
Departments of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, India
Pushpa Srivastava
Departments of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, India
Ruby Grover
Departments of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, India
K. P. Sharma
Departments of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 302 004, India

Abstract


Spirulina has the highest protein content among plants on earth. Therefore, it is favoured as a good diet supplement for growth and weight gains of malnourished children and adults, ruminants, weaning piglets, silkworm, fish Tilapia and Broiler chicks. Along with maximum protein content, Spirulina also contains lipids, vitamins, minerals and β carotene. The antioxidant property of β carotene is known to have anti-tumour effects in most animals and human beings. Spirulina feeding therefore prevented oral cancer in rats, whereas its blue pigment (phycocyanin) increased survival rate of mice injected with liver tumour cells, hence improved their immune system. Therapeutic properties such as lowering of cholesterol level in humans as well as alleviating premenstrual syndrome have been documented on Spirulina platensis. Spirulina has also been found effective against deadly viruses such as Herpes simplex virus type-1 and AIDS virus.