Spirulina Extract

Spirulina Extract is obtained from the dried biomass of Arthrospira platensis, a filamentous blue-green cyanobacterium commonly referred to as Spirulina. Although traditionally grouped with algae, Arthrospira is scientifically a cyanobacterium.

The biomass is particularly rich in proteins and phycobiliproteins, including C-phycocyanin, allophycocyanin and phycoerythrin, together with polysaccharides, amino acids, minerals, lipids, chlorophyll and other naturally occurring compounds. Published compositional studies have reported protein as the major fraction of dry biomass, with phycocyanin representing an important pigment-protein component.

For cosmetic applications, phycocyanin is the most useful characteristic marker when a standardized Spirulina extract is required. Water-based extraction is commonly used to recover phycocyanin because it is a water-soluble pigment-protein. The extraction and drying process has a major influence on the final phycocyanin concentration and colour of the finished extract.

Commercial Spirulina cosmetic extracts may be supplied as powder, aqueous extract or glycerin/glycol-based liquid extracts. Some commercial materials are standardized to a defined phycocyanin content, while others are supplied as whole Spirulina extracts without a fixed phycocyanin specification.

In cosmetic formulations, Spirulina Extract is commonly used in serums, creams, masks, moisturizers, cleansers, body-care products and hair-care formulations. Cosmetic ingredient references identify functions including skin conditioning, skin protecting, soothing and antioxidant.