Phytochemical, Nutritional, Mineral and Antioxidant Characterization of Spirulina Biomass: Potential for Sustainable Aquaponic Crop Production
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Spirulina is a nutritionally valuable cyanobacterial biomass containing proteins, minerals, lipids, pigments, and diverse biologically active constituents. Its chemical composition and antioxidant properties have attracted interest in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, and emerging agricultural applications. This study aimed to provide an integrated phytochemical, nutritional, mineral, antioxidant, and safety characterization of Spirulina biomass, with emphasis on total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and chemical antioxidant activity. The investigated biomass contained 433.39 ± 8.67 mg g⁻¹ FW total protein, 12.40 ± 0.18 mg g⁻¹ DW crude fiber, and 28.61 ± 1.33 mg g⁻¹ DW total lipids. Mineral analysis demonstrated measurable levels of potassium (8.92 ± 0.29 mg g⁻¹ DW), sodium (6.87 ± 0.23 mg g⁻¹ DW), phosphorus (1.56 ± 0.06 mg g⁻¹ DW), calcium (3.44 ± 0.18 mg g⁻¹ DW), and iron (0.63 ± 0.10 mg g⁻¹ DW). Phytochemical analysis revealed total phenolic content of 9.35 ± 0.09 μg gallic acid equivalents mg-1 sample and total flavonoid content of 3.77 ± 0.15 μg quercetin equivalents mg-1 sample. DPPH radical-scavenging activity was demonstrated, with an IC₅₀ of 59.57 ± 1.05 μg mL-1. Targeted LC–MS/MS analysis showed that aflatoxins AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁, AFG₂, and AFM₁ were not detected under the applied analytical conditions. Overall, the investigated Spirulina biomass exhibited substantial protein content, measurable mineral constituents, phenolic- and flavonoid-associated compounds, and chemical antioxidant activity. These findings provide a baseline supporting the potential of Spirulina biomass as a nutritional, phytochemical, mineral, and antioxidant resource that may contribute to human health and sustainable aquaponic crop production.
Language: English
Subfield: Aquatic Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7222881527