Food Science in the News:
On August 13th, the FDA approved the use of a
certain bacteria as a natural color additive.
Now presenting:
THE 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SPIRULINA
10- IT’S FROM MARS.
The petition to use spirulina extra as a color additive was
filed by Mars Inc. The petition is for candy and chewing gum so it’s fair to
expect slight color changes in Mars products.
9-IT’S BEEN TO OUTER SPACE.
Spirulina was used to feed NASA and ESA astronauts due to
its concentrated nutritional profile (60-70% protein by dry weight, high
beta-carotene, B12 and iron content).
8-IT LIKES SALT AND WATER.
Spirulina is a type of algae that needs alkaline lakes to
flourish. It grows in fresh and marine waters but it needs high salt and high
pH conditions.
7-IT’S THE MASTER OF TWO KINGDOMS.
Spirulina was first classified in the plant kingdom because
it performs photosynthesis. It was later classified in the bacterial kingdom
based on its genetics and other biochemical properties.
6-IT’S PROOF SCIENTISTS ENJOY NAMING THINGS.
If you look at spirulina under a microscope you’d see….
spirals. Surprised, aren’t you. Spirulina’s structure involves filaments that wind into a
helix or spiral.
5-IT’S GRAS.
No, not like the stuff that’s greener on the other side but
Generally Recognized As Safe. A substance obtains GRAS status when the FDA
reviews studies proving toxicological safety.
Side-note: Ingredients in a food/beverage product must be
either approved food additives or GRAS. Spirulina is popular in supplements,
but it has been GRAS since 2003.
See GRN000127 – Oct 2003 - FDA GRAS Notice.
4-IT LIKES HEAVY METAL, ... especially mercury.
Because it’s grown in alkaline lakes, mercury content is
cause for concern. The good news is the WHO/FAO tested
commercial spirulina products and found their lead and mercury contents were
below the limit for safety. The bad news is that survey was done way back in
’89. The bottom line is controlling the source of the water can alleviate the
heavy metal load.
3-IT MAY IMPROVE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS.
Some of the human clinical trials published using spirulina
as a functional supplement have suggested the following correlation (with the
corresponding dose, specified):
- Increased HDL, decreased LDL (4.5 grams per day for 6 weeks)
- Improved lipid profile for patients with CVD (2-4 grams per day for 3 months)
- Improved cholesterol profile for patients with diabetes type 2 (1-2 grams per day for 2 months)
The fine print here is that these trials were all small and
their findings are not consistent across multiple trials. It’s too soon to say
whether spirulina will be the next Lipitor.
2-FINALLY, A FOOD COLORANT YOU CAN EAT ALL DAY AND NIGHT.
The “No Observed Effects Level” is 15 grams per kilogram of
bodyweight per day, which means a 60 kilogram person can eat 900 grams of this
stuff per day and not notice any side effects. No word yet on whether “seaweed
breath” counts as a side-effect.
1-JUST A PINCH WILL SPREAD THE COLOR FURTHER THAN YOU CAN
IMAGINE.
As someone who has personally worded with spirulina, I can
testify that a small pinch of it is potent enough to turn an entire glass of
water dark blue-green. It’s also quite magical how this stuff colors the scale,
the countertop, the tips of your fingers/gloves, the measuring spoon…
Welcoming spirulina into the world of color additives brings
us one step closer to not needing artificial colors, but achieving a true blue
may be more of a challenge than it seems. Step 1 is to know what you’re dealing
with (“the devil you know beats the devil you don’t). Step 2 comes later, when
blue M&Ms start looking a little green…
REFERENCES:
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