Calcium-Rich Spirulina: A Potential Immunopotentiator and Calcium Supplement

Spirulina is considered to be a good food and medicinal resource. However, its calcium content is relatively low compared with the other nutritional components. Therefore, to improve the calcim content of Spirulina, a new kind of Spirulina, calcium-rich Spirulina was developed by the bioaccumulating ability of Spirulina. To assess the influence of the Spirulina on the health of animal, the present paper compares the effects of the calcium-rich Spirulina, natural Spirulina and the inorganic calcium salt CaCO
₃
on immune function and serum calcium content in mice. The results showed that Ca-rich Spirulina could improve immune function in mice, in terms of delayed type hypersensitivity, antibody response, and IL-2 serum levels, versus those of controls. Natural Spirulina also improved immune function, but the improvement was smaller than that with the Ca-rich Spirulina, which suggested that the calcium Spirulina would be a better immunopotentiator. The inorganic calcium salt CaCO
₃
did not improve immune function and even did harm to the health of the mice. All three samples could improve the calcium level in mouse serum, suggesting their possible value as calcium supplements.