Chlorella
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Chlorella is a genus of single-celled green algae, belonging to the phylum Chlorophyta. It is spherical in shape, about 2 to 10 μm in diameter, and is without flagella. Chlorella contains the green photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll-a and -b in its chloroplast. It depends on photosynthesis for growth and multiplies rapidly, requiring only carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, and a small amount of minerals.
Chlorella has been researched as a potential source of food and energy, because its efficiency of photosynthesis can reach 8%, [1] this is comparable with other highly efficient crops such as sugar cane. It is high in protein and other essential nutrients. When dried, it is about 45% protein, 20% fat, 20% carbohydrate, 5% fiber, and 10% minerals and vitamins. However, because it is a single-celled alga, harvest had posed practical difficulties for its large-scale use as a food source. Methods of mass production are now being used to cultivate it in large artificial circular ponds. It has been eaten in times of famine, in areas such as China during the failed Great Leap Forward, and is often grown in human urine.[citation needed]
Following global fears of an uncontrollable population boom in the 1940's, chlorella became a possible answer to the tremendous food shortages the world would face in light of the speedy, post-war growth. Because meat was costly and so engergy intensive to produce, protein shortages were also an issue. Increasing harvest area alone would only go so far in providing adequate nutrition to the population. Chlorella was a seemingly viable option becuase of the technological advances in agriculture at the time, and the widespread acclaim it got from experts and scientists who studied it. Unfortunately, the hype far surpassed the productivity of the plant and early estimates of its success were proven to be exaggerated optimism. The plant could only reach its nutritional potential in highly modified artificial situations, that made little economic sense.[2]
The cell walls of Chlorella are made of cellulose and are very strong and so they are normally pulverized to improve digestibility.
The name Chlorella is taken from the Greek word chloros meaning green and the Latin diminutive suffix ella meaning small and was named by a Dutch biologist[citation needed]. The German biochemist Otto Heinrich Warburg received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1931 for his study on photosynthesis in Chlorella. In 1961 Melvin Calvin of the University of California received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on the pathways of carbon dioxide assimilation in plants using Chlorella. In recent years researchers have made less use of Chlorella as an experimental organism because it lacks a sexual cycle and, therefore, the research advantages of genetics are unavailable.
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[edit] Aquarium
Chlorella green algae can create green and opaque water problems in aquariums. Chlorella can grow due to high nitrate and phosphate levels or direct sunlight. Decreasing phosphate and nitrate by partial water change and moving the aquarium to shade can help in solving the problem.
[edit] Health benefits
Chlorella has been found to have anti tumor properties when feed to mice.[1][2][3] Another study found enhanced vascular function in hypertensive rats given oral doses of chlorella.[4] Although at its onset, Chlorella was thought by many to add a "dirt cheap" form of high protein to the human diet, studies proved otherwise. Chlorella, which actually lost most of its nutritional value when altered/processed in any way, was no longer an effective protein and therefore pro-Chlorella supporters decided to communicate other health benefits of the algae. Instead, weight control, cancer prevention, and immune system support were all positive health benefits attributed to this alga (Belasco 608,628-630).
[edit] Evidence of health and healing effects
The marketing of Chlorella for human consumption as a palliative, or "Superfood", has received criticism[ 1 ] ; as such, the following recommendations should be treated as speculative: [This claim is not supported by the Zelitch reference. Find new reference or modify this section accordingly]
Maintenance Dosage: 3-5 grams/day
Significant Part of the Diet: 6-10 grams/day
Immune System Builder: 11-14 grams/day
Primary Source of Protein: 12-19 grams/day
Healing Purposes & Heavy Metal Detoxification: 20-30 grams/day
[edit] References
- ^ I.Zelitch, Photosynthesis, Photorespiration and Plant Productivity, Academic Press, 1971, p.275
- ^ Belasco, "Algae Burgers for a Hungry World?", pp ??
Belasco, Warren. "Algae Burgers for a Hungry World? The Rise and Fall of Chlorella Cuisine". Technology and Culture, Vol. 38 No. 3, pp 608-634
[edit] External links
- Food and drug administration's view[5]
