Spirulina Platensis: A Natural Product with many Biological Properties

The human population are continuously increasing; the concern about food, global warming, outbreak of diseases, and other environmental issues are also increased but thanks to nature which provides a viable solution and a good resource which are cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Spirulina platensis is spiral coil blue-green algae, free- floating filamentous undifferentiated cyanobacterium that live both in the sea and freshwater and belong to the family of Oscillatoriaceae. They are non-heterocyst found in warm bodies of water in tropical and subtropical regions with high elevated pH, salinity, carbonate & bicarbonate content. Spirulina has different pigments such as carotenes, phycobilins, chlorophylls, phycocyanin and phycoerythrin. It contains high protein, chemicals, vitamins and various bioactive compounds used as food supplements, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Spirulina has antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic properties which play an important role in human life. Spirulina is used as a model organism in a variety of studies in medical sciences, environmental science, and biotechnology. The aim of this review is to summarize the importance of cyanobacterial species on human health.