Definition:

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herbgreey®Spirulina extract Health Benefits:

herbgreey®Spirulina extract is derived from spirulina and contains key bioactive components, including phycocyanin, spirulina polysaccharides (PSP), β-carotene, γ-linolenic acid and endogenous enzymes. It has a wide range of applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, among others.

Particularities of herbgreey®Spirulina extract:

Product Specifications:

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Product quality standards:

● GB2760, Food grade, In-house, Feed grade, Cosmetic grade

▶ Core nutritional supplement

herbgreey®Spirulina extract Applications:

herbgreey®Spirulina extract contains 60-70% protein and provides all eight essential amino acids for the human body. Its balanced composition ensures easy absorption and utilisation, making it an ideal protein supplement, particularly for vegetarians, athletes or those requiring additional protein. Spirulina extract is rich in B vitamins (including B1, B2, B6 and B12), vitamin E, beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) and minerals such as iron, zinc, selenium and magnesium. These nutrients help to supplement any micronutrient deficiencies in daily diets and support normal metabolic function.

■ Source

herbgreey®Spirulina extract comes from algae belonging to the Spirulina genus within the cyanobacteria phylum. The composition and quality of the extract are directly determined by the selection, cultivation and processing of the raw materials. The Spirulina genus encompasses multiple species, with Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima being the most widely used for commercial extraction thanks to their rich nutritional content and suitability for large-scale cultivation. Wild harvesting cannot meet industrial demand, so artificial cultivation methods are necessary, including both open-water and closed-system techniques.

herbgreey®Spirulina extract is available in the following specification and contents:

☑  herbgreey®Spirulina extract juice E3 (Color value)

herbgreey®Spirulina extract is commonly used as nutritional supplements and natural colourants in functional foods, appearing in products such as tablets, capsules, oral liquids, gummies, yoghurt and plant-based beverages. Stability is enhanced at a pH level of 5.5-7.0, and water/alcohol-water extraction facilitates compliance and residue control. Protect from heat and light exposure and incorporate stabilisers (e.g. polyols or low-methoxy pectin) when necessary.

Spirulina extract may be incorporated directly into poultry, aquatic and swine feeds, or used in premixes. Avoid direct mixing with strongly oxidising minerals. Monitor oxidative stability during hot weather and add feed-grade antioxidants as required.

In cosmetic applications, spirulina extract is used for its hydrating, antioxidant and skin-brightening properties, as well as its ability to repair the skin's barrier. It is also used as a natural colourant and is commonly found in masks, sprays, gels, lotions, eye creams and hair masks. When formulating, it is important to avoid strong oxidising/reducing agents, control the pH and temperature, prioritise water-based/mild solvent systems and ensure consistent raw material batches.

■ Active ingredients

The active components of herbgreey®Spirulina extract are central to its physiological functions and applications. These include proteins, polysaccharides, pigments and lipids, all of which have distinct biological activities and are widely studied and used in pharmaceuticals, health supplements, cosmetics and other areas.

Phycocyanin is a water-soluble pigment protein that is unique to spirulina and accounts for 10-20% of its dry weight. Consisting of phycocyanin and apochromatin, it has a blue colour and is one of the few natural blue pigments found in nature. It is used as a natural food and cosmetic colouring, and is also being researched in the medical field for its potential as an antioxidant and immune-enhancing agent. herbgreey®Spirulina extract contains polysaccharides, which are composed of monosaccharides such as glucose, mannose and galactose. These polysaccharides are highly water-soluble and are one of the primary active components in spirulina extracts. β-Carotene contains over ten times the amount found in carrots, serves as a precursor to vitamin A and has strong antioxidant properties. Lutein and zeaxanthin belong to the carotenoid family and accumulate primarily in the macular region of the eye. Phycobilins include phycocyanin (bound to phycocyanin protein) and phycoerythrin (present in small amounts in some spirulina strains). These are photosynthetic pigments with antioxidant and fluorescent properties. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-6 series) that constitutes approximately 0.5-1% of spirulina's dry weight. Spirulina also contains vitamins, minerals and other components.

herbgreey®Spirulina extract contains phycocyanin, polysaccharides and beta-carotene, which possess potent antioxidant properties. These properties neutralise free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress damage to cells. Research suggests that these components may have anti-inflammatory properties, potentially offering additional support for health issues associated with chronic inflammation, such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome, by inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and IL-6.

▶ Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

herbgreey®Spirulina extract contains unsaturated fatty acids, such as gamma-linolenic acid, and phytosterols, which may help to regulate blood lipids by lowering total and LDL cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. The high mineral content of potassium and magnesium in spirulina extract may help to maintain normal blood pressure.

▶ Cardiovascular health

■ Extraction process characteristics

The production process for herbgreey®Spirulina extract must be designed based on the characteristics of the target active components, such as phycocyanin, polysaccharides and pigments. Key steps include the pretreatment of raw materials, extraction, separation and purification, and the processing of the finished product. The purity and bioactivity retention of the extracts are directly impacted by different processes. The raw material used is dried spirulina powder with a moisture content of ≤10%. Preference is given to strains of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or Arthrospira maxima that are free from microbial contamination and rich in active components (e.g. raw material with a phycocyanin content of at least 15%). The spirulina powder is then subjected to ultrafine grinding (particle size controlled at 10-50 μm) to increase the specific surface area and enhance the subsequent extraction efficiency. Sterilisation using wet heat (121°C for 30 minutes) or irradiation is employed to eliminate microorganisms in the raw material and prevent contamination during extraction.

The objective of extraction is to disrupt the cell walls of spirulina, which are composed of peptidoglycan and cellulose, and release the active components.

Common methods include water extraction, which is suitable for water-soluble components such as phycocyanin and polysaccharides; enzymatic hydrolysis, which is suitable for poorly soluble components or for enhancing extraction yield; and alcohol extraction, which is suitable for fat-soluble components such as β-carotene and γ-linolenic acid. The purified extract is then concentrated under reduced pressure until it reaches a solid content of 20-30%. A protective agent such as trehalose or sodium citrate is then added, after which the mixture undergoes spray drying or freeze-drying to yield a dry powder with a moisture content of ≤5%. Freeze-drying is recommended as the preferred method to preserve the activity of heat-sensitive components.

General Information:

CAS No.

Plant source

Extraction site

Active ingredient

Chemical formula

Molecular mass

Algal cells

C34H39N3O6

11016-15-2

585.71 g/mol

Phycocyanin

Spirulina L.

☑  herbgreey®Spirulina extract powder E6/E10/E18 (Color value, Trehalose, Sodium citrate)

☑  herbgreey®Spirulina extract powder M18 (Color value, Maltodextrin, Sodium citrate)

☑  herbgreey®Spirulina extract powder M18 (Color value, Maltodextrin, Sodium citrate), organic

☑  herbgreey®Spirulina extract powder E25 (Color value, Sodium citrate)

☑  herbgreey®Spirulina extract powder E30/E40 (Color value)