History of Spirulina Use

In 16th century Mexico, Aztecs were using Spirulina as their source of food, the harvesting of this plant had been done from the Lake Texcoco. At that time, this plant was called as Tecuutlatl by Aztecs which means the excrement of stones. Spirulina was found in large quantity by the French researchers at the lake in 1960s, there is no remark to the use of this plant as daily food source after 16th century. In 1970s the first production of Spirulina at a large-scale plant was established and this attracted the people from all over the world. This plant is believed to have a long history in Chad back in 9th century during Kanem Empire. It is used daily now; it is dried into cakes and sold in markets. These cakes are called “Die” or “Dihe”. The plant is harvested from tiny ponds and lakes near Lake Chad.

The greatest discovery

The story and history of Spirulina was unveiled to public with a great finding of few scientists who discovered that the way of life of one tribe of Africa was interesting unexpectedly. Though the villagers were very poor and they got less nutrition from their food, they could still manage to live healthily on the plant grown around the lake near their village, and this plant was called “Spirulina” later, it was harvested from the outer part of the lake and dried in the heat later. Spirulina was full of different types of high quality nutrients.

Consumption of Spirulina

A huge production of microalgae that could be utilized in the production of protein and in water treatment was projected in 1970. Spirulina is sold and consumed in Brazil, Philippines, India, Germany, Canada, Egypt, Belgium, Argentina, United States, New Zealand, Africa and some other countries. It is consumed in countries where associations and public administration have permitted human intake.