Mohammed A. AlSulaiman

Community College, Huraimla, King Saud University, P.O Box 300, Huraimla 11962, Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to determine the microbiological load of the fine powder of the locally produced Spirulina in Saudi Arabia in comparsion with a commercial sample. Biological raw materials can be contaminated with microorganisms and, to make them suitable for commercialization, the microbial quality is necessary to be achieved. The microalgae industry has developed to its current status by providing a safe and nutritious product for the human supplement market as well as the animal and aquaculture feed markets. The vast majority of this microalgae biomass is produced from Spirulina, Chlorella, and Aphanizomenon flos-aqua. Spirulina are multicellular and filamentous blue-green microalgae belonging to two separate genera Spirulina and Arthrospira are consists of about 15 species. Of these, Arthrospira platensis is the most common and widely available Spirulina and most of the published research and public health decision refers to this specific species. Spirulina has been marketed and consumed as a human food and has been approved as a food for human consumption by many governments, health agencies and associations of about 90 countries.

KEYWORDS: Spirulina; Microbiological load; Microalgae biomass

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