Spirulina is a nutritional supplement that can be consumed by humans and other animals. It can be obtained from the three species of cyanobacteria, such as Arthrospira maxima, Arthrospira fusiformis, and Arthrospira platensis. Arthrospira is cultivated worldwide and is used as a whole food and also in dietary supplements. It is available in various forms such as powder, flakes, tablets, capsule, and liquid form. Spirulina grows naturally in the alkaline waters of rivers, ponds, and lakes. Moreover, it is associated with high nutritional value, such as Vitamin A, C, E, B1, B2, and B3 and carbohydrates, protein, minerals, and essential lipids. Spirulina is widely used as a feed supplement in poultry, aquariums, and aquaculture industries.
Growing awareness among consumers about the health benefits (such as may control blood sugar, may improve muscle strength and endurance, may reduce blood pressure, may have anti-cancer properties, and may lower bad LDL and triglyceride levels) of spirulina is the major factor driving the spirulina market growth. According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2019, around 463 million people (aged 20 to 79 years) were living with diabetes and the number is expected to reach 700 million by 2045. Moreover, considering the health benefits of spirulina, many countries around the world are promoting the production of spirulina, driving spirulina market growth.
