FEATURE
References: Banerjee, M. & Deb, M. 1996. Potential of fly ash and Spirulina combination as a slow release fertilizer for rice field. Cientifica Jaboticabal, 24: 55–62. Borowitzka, M.A. 1988. Vitamins and fine chemicals from micro-algae. In M.A. Borowitzka & L Borowitzka, eds. Micro-algal Biotechnology, pp. 153–196. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. of Malaya. Britz, P.J. 1996. The suitability of selected protein sources for inclusion in formulated diets for the South African abalone, Haliotis midae. Aquaculture, 140: 63–73.
affects the stem cells that make up the cellular immune system and red blood cells that oxygenate the body. Phycocyanin stimulating hematopoiesis, (the creation of blood), emulating the affect of the hormone erythropoetin, (EPO). Phycocyanin also regulates production of white blood cells, even when bone marrow stem cells are damaged by toxic chemicals or radiation.
Spirulina anti-viral and anti-cancer abilities Calcium-Spirulan is a unique polymerized sugar molecule extract of spirulina and containing both sulphur and calcium. The treatment of this water-soluble extract has better recovery rates when infected with a lethal Herpes virus. This mechanism occurs because Calcium-Spirulan does not allow the virus to penetrate the cell membrane to infect the cell. The virus is stuck, unable to replicate. It is eventually eliminated by the body's natural defenses. Spirulina can prevent or inhibit cancers in aquatic animals, and fishes. The unique polysaccharides of spirulina enhance cell nucleus enzyme activity and DNA repair synthesis.
Antimicrobial properties Spirulina excretes variable quantities of products from its metabolism such as organic acid, vitamins and phytohormones. Cell extract of spirulina has shown antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria as like Bacillus sps, Streptococcus sps, Saccharomyces sps etc.
Bio-mineralisation activities Spirulina thrives in high alkaline waters and it incorporates and synthesizes many minerals and derivative compounds into its cell structure. Transformed into natural organic forms by spirulina, minerals become chelated with amino acids and they are more easily assimilated by the body. Along with adequate calcium and magnesium in the water (especially for marine organisms), Spirulina helps insure proper electrolyte function, calcium levels over calcium and other mineral.
Enhancing reproduction Research has shown that fresh and saltwater fish and shrimp exhibit superior growth, maturity, energetic behavior, and more elegant coloring when fed spirulina. It is also well documented that spirulina improves spawning, fecundity, fertility and hatching rates. It stimulates the reproductive processes, increases survival rates of younger fish, post larvae and promotes the appetite of fish or prawn to attain full maturity.
Spirulina as a colourant The colour appearance is the most important characteristic in shrimp and fish for choice and demand in the food market. A diet containing spirulina promotes the physiological activities for generating colour pigmentations and glazing appearance in various parts of body. Carotenoids are responsible for the development of various colours of crustaceans (Britton et al., 1981). Astaxanthin has been shown to be the predominant carotenoid associated with the red body colour of the black tiger prawn Penaeus monodon (Howell and Matthews, 1991). Spirulina platensis and pacifica stain contains the highest levels of β-carotene and zeaxanthin of any natural source. They both are converted to astaxanthin through an oxidative process for the desire red pigment. A marked increase in carotenoid content of the carapace of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) occurred when spirulina-supplemented diets are given. A practical strategy for the improved pigmentation of cultured P. monodon is the incorporation of spirulina diet for one month before harvest.
Conclusions Spirulina appears to have considerable potential for development, especially as a smallscale crop for nutritional enhancement, livelihood development and environmental mitigation. As natural feed, spirulina can play an important role in aquaculture, especially in aquatic farming and hatcheries where the results are quite significant. If spirulina feeds further improve, its effects will be more obvious and the prospects of spirulina will be very bright. ■ 36 | International AquaFeed | March-April 2013
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