Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (dietary supplement)
Biology. Like other cyanobacteria and plants, AFA uses photosynthesis to produce the food material (glycogen) that is stored and utilized by the cell. While plant cell walls are mainly composed of cellulose, AFA" "cell walls are composed of peptidoglycan (carbohydrates and peptides), the typical cell wall material of bacteria. Therefore, the designation "cyanobacteria" ('cyano' meaning "blue-green" in Latin) refers to the blue-green coloration of this bacterial subdivision, including AFA. The cellular structure of AFA is that of a simple prokaryote. Most cyanobacteria are highly efficient photosynthesizers, even more so than plants. Algae utilize  light energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air, and water to synthesize carbohydrates and lipids. AFA is also able to directly use molecular nitrogen from the air to produce proteins and other nitrogen-containing biomolecules. This ability is widespread in prokaryotes, but unknown in eukaryotes. Potential toxicity. "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" as a species has both toxic and non-toxic forms. While benefits have been indicated, toxicity has been shown in some strains of the species "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae", with cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxins present, and microcystins found contaminating AFA dietary supplements. The World Health Organization's "Guidelines For Drinking  Water Quality" note Anatoxin-a, saxitoxins, and cylindrospermopsins are present in the Aphanizomenon genus. This linked article is about a single strain of AFA labeled as toxic that has been reclassified. Colony-forming morphology is one of the characteristics of the species "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae"; conversely "Aphanizomenon" are not known to form colonies. Algologists Li and Carmichael noted colony formation, or lack thereof, and other morphologic distinctions when comparing "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" with "Aphanizomenon". Their genetic comparison of "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" to other species in the genus "Aphanizomenon" indicates dissimilarity between "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" and "Aphanizomenon" species. History. Cyanobacteria have  been a staple in the diets of many cultures and have been used for both food and commerce by indigenous peoples all over the globe, from Africa and Asia to the Americas, from the Chinese to the Aztecs and Mayans. "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" began to be harvested as a human dietary supplement in the early 1980s. In 1998 a dry weight of approximately 2.2 million lbs (1 million kls.) of AFA was harvested for the subsequent production of supplements by a number of commercial harvesters. Commercial standards vary greatly in terms of documenting product composition to the consumer. Today, AFA  is marketed as a nutrient-dense food, harvested primarily from Upper Klamath Lake in North America. Harvesting and processing. Cyanobacteria as a crop are sensitive to heat, light, and rapid spoilage. Some native cultures in Africa and the Americas used simple sun-drying methods for preservation, but it is likely that a significant amount of the nutritional value was lost in the process because of exposure to extreme heat during harvesting and processing. The methods for harvesting and processing used to make cyanobacteria available for consumption today are critical factors in the quality and safety of the finished product. AFA  is processed by screening to remove debris, testing for contaminating species, storing at the optimum temperature, and drying by a method that preserves nutrients. As with any crop, differences exist with regard to harvesting procedures, quality control against contaminating species, adherence to proper processing to protect nutrients from degradation, and attention to adequate storage conditions of the processed algae. Nutritional value. Cyanobacteria are often marketed as a source of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids (including omega 3 fatty acids), beta-carotene, chlorophyll, phycocyanin, active enzymes, amino acids, proteins, complex sugars, phytonutrients, and other bioactive components. The nutrient  content of "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" is subject to much variation due to diverse habitats, environmental factors, and harvesting procedures, all of which influence the nutritional value; for example, altitude, temperature, and sun exposure can greatly affect lipid and pigment composition. As more is learned about the components of different cyanobacterial species, growers and harvesters are better able to determine the optimal growth conditions for obtaining optimal yields. Vitamins. " Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" has been shown to contain varying amounts at least 13 vitamins: vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E, vitamin K, and many of the B-complex  vitamins including B (thiamin), B (riboflavin), B (pyridoxine), choline, biotin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and B (cobalamin). However, "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" contains pseudovitamin B which can block absorption of true B and is therefore not suitable for use as a B source for humans. Minerals. "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" contains minerals and trace minerals (including calcium, chloride, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium, and zinc). Whether or not AFA microalgae contain a balance of bioavailable minerals and trace minerals depends on the mineral content of their growth environment. Protein. AFA" "is approximately 60% protein by dry weight. Essential fatty  acids. Approximately 45% of the lipids (fats) of AFA are essential fatty acids. "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" contains a balance of both linoleic acid (LA, an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, an omega-3 fatty acid). Photosynthetic pigments. Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants that is responsible for the production of oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is a significant phytonutrient as well as a powerful antioxidant. AFA contains 1 to 2% chlorophyll (dry weight). AFA is also a source of phycocyanin (PC), a photosynthetic pigment with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that contributes the 'blue ' to blue-green algae. Phenylethylamine. AFA contains phenylethylamine (PEA). Evidence of health effects. A team at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada, demonstrated that consumption of AFA results in an immediate change in the trafficking of immune cells. The effect is transient and cell-type specific. An extensive body of data documents that long-term consumption does not lead to hyper-stimulation of the immune system. According to researchers, AFA blue-green algae make natural killer cells "patrol" better throughout the body. These effects were seen when using a low oral dose of algae (1.5 gram), corresponding to a low  amount of food supplementation. The special molecule that provides the blue color in blue-green algae is called phycocyanin. Depending on the algae source, the amount of phycocyanin can amount to up to 15% of the dry weight of the algae. Phycocyanin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. One study evaluated the ability of a novel natural extract of AFA enriched with phycocyanin to protect normal human erythrocytes and blood plasma samples against oxidative damage "in vitro". In red blood cells, oxidative hemolysis and lipid peroxidation<nowiki> induced by the aqueous peroxyl radical generator [2, 2'-Azobis (2-amidinopropane ) dihydrochloride, AAPH] were significantly lowered by the AFA extract in a time- and dose-dependent manner; at the same time, the depletion of </nowiki>cytosolic glutathione was delayed. In plasma samples, the natural extract inhibited the extent of lipid oxidation induced by the pro-oxidant agent cupric chloride (CuCl); a concomitant increase of plasma resistance to oxidation was observed as evaluated by conjugated diene formation. In recent years, there has been an increase of interest in microalgal metabolites. A water-based extract of "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae" containing high concentrations of phycocyanin inhibited the "in vitro" growth of one  out of four tumor cell lines, indicating that at least some tumor cell types may be directly sensitive to killing by phycocyanin. Blue-green algae in general contain a significant amount of carotenoids, namely beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein, providing microalgae with antioxidant properties. By their quenching action on reactive oxygen species, antioxidants carry intrinsic anti-inflammatory properties. Other research describes the identification of three new high molecular weight polysaccharide preparations isolated from food-grade microalgae that are effective activators of human monocytes/macrophages, including "Immunon" from "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae". Immunostimulatory activity was measured using transcription factor-based bioassay. Each  polysaccharide studied in this research, including AFA, substantially increased mRNA levels of interleukin and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a). These polysaccharides are between one hundred and one thousand times more active for "in vitro" monocyte activation than polysaccharide preparations that are currently used clinically for cancer immunotherapy. Research also characterizes the effect of a water-soluble preparation from known agents that modulate the immune system. One such study suggests that the macrophage-activating properties of an AFA water-soluble preparation are mediated through pathways that are similar to LPS-dependent activation. The antimutagenic properties of whole, fresh-water AFA  were tested using the Ames test. Simultaneous addition of both algae and Nitrovin (a mutagen) to the test medium did not reduce the mutagenic activity. Addition of freeze-dried AFA to the test medium 2–24 hours before the application of the mutagen reduced mutagenic activity. An ethanol extract of AFA-cellular concentrate has been shown to increase stem cell proliferative action when incubated with human adult bone marrow cells or human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors in culture. The preliminary study suggests that the ethanol extract of AFA cellular concentrate may act to promote proliferation of human stem cell populations. Organic  certification. Organic certification can be a lengthy and complicated process, and it is achieved only through strict compliance with established official regulations. Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a stringent set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging, and shipping. It is up to individual algae producers to apply for and secure organic certification by adherence to the certifying agency's standards.