Uso tradicional y actual de spirulina sp. (arthrospira sp.)

spirulina sp. (arthrospira sp.) is a non-differentiated filamentous cyanobacteria common in alkaline lakes and is cultivated for food because of its high nutritional value. in mexico, it has been used as food since prehispanic times, when it was known as tecuitlatl. at present time, this cyanobacteria was described in africa, native tribes from the chad lake region have consumed and called it dihé. in recent years, many properties it was attributed to it for the treatment of allergies, anemia, cancer, virus and cardiovascular diseases. many of its properties could be attributed to the presence of pigments like phycobiliproteins and carotenoids, as well as other compounds such as polysaccharides, fatty acids (specially gamma linoleic acid), proteins, vitamins and minerals. the properties and applications of this organism make of it a functional food or nutraceutic.