A group of nine students in HCM City have successfully grown spirulina indoors, and are selling the know-how to others who want to grow the super food at home (Photo VNA) HCMCity (VNS/VNA) - Nine chemistrical engineering students in Ho Chi Minh City havesuccessfully managed to grow spirulina at home and are selling the know-how toenthusiasts.
“I just spent a small amount initially,” NguyenHa Hai, 59, a customer who bought from them and has already set up an indoorsystem, said.
Earlier he used to buy fried spirulina powderfrom the US for his mother’s health and raves about its efficacy: “It has beenreally useful for my mother. Her health has improved.”
Tran Dinh Trong, 22, the leader of the group,said the idea to grow the nutrient-dense algae took root following a suggestionby a teacher at university.
“My group members were very excited byspirulina’s amazing therapeutic properties and dense nutrient content.”
Growing the algae indoors is popular in the USand Japan, he said.
The cyanobacteria is an edible spiral-shapedaquatic blue-green algae that grows naturally in alkaline waters in warmregions. It has its origins in South America and Africa.
Throughout history this remarkable aquatic planthas nourished people in Africa, America and Asia.
Nguyen Nhat Phong, 22, another group member,said the group did about seven months of research in the school laboratorybefore trying to sell the know-how. It meets high organic standards, he said.
Spirulina contains various easily digestiblebio-active components that promote optimal health in humans.
It is cheap, safe and filled with more nutrientsthan any other known food.
Each aspect, like nutrient content, pH factor,and temperature to grow indoors is carefully calculated before selling to acustomer, Phong said.
He said the quantity they grow is enough forthree people for four months.
Nguyen Minh Quoc, 22, another member, saidgrowing spirulina is like breeding ornamental fish indoors, and it is verysimple for their customers who only need to plug the aeration machine.
When the algae is degraded and productivitybecomes low, the group replenishes the seeds for the customer to continuefarming, he said.
"The [glass or plastic] tanks should beinstalled in sunny places though only 30 percent of the maximum outdoorsunlight is required.”
To increase productivity, lights are required atnight to promote photosynthesis, he said.
The group sells packages costing 1.7 million-4.2million VND (75-185 USD) depending on the size and shape of the tank.
The package consists of what is nothing morethan a simple fish tank with a capacity of 80-100 litres, nutrients, an aeratorand seeds.
After a week one can begin harvesting around 30percent of the algae in the tank every day.
The fresh algae can be added directly to foodand drink or used to make face masks.
It can be stored in the refrigerator.
Trong said they plan to expand production in thenear future.
They have opened a small shop displaying andselling the system at No 1/8 Doan Gioi Street, Tan Phu District.
Since opening in August it has sold more than 30systems, mostly to customers from HCM City but also some from some southern andcentral provinces, he said.
He is hopeful of recouping the initialinvestment in the next few months.
“I hope this product will become popular in thedomestic market and other markets in the region.”
Prof Dr Trinh Van Dung of the faculty ofchemical engineering at the HCM City University of Technology said growingspirulina at home is useful and the breeding process is very simple.
“I expect it will be embraced by many people toimprove their and their family members’ health.”
Spirulina is a super food rich in protein andvitamins.
Multiple studies on its efficacy and potentialclinical applications have found it can reverse anaemia (rich in iron), haspowerful antioxidants and anti- inflammatory substances, can lower LDLcholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduce blood pressure, mitigate allergies,help control blood sugar and fight cancer, improve muscle strength andendurance, protect against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and detox the body.
It is commonly available in powder or tabletform.
Prof Nguyen Lan Dung, the first in the countryto propagate the benefits of spirulina, said its protein content is 15-20 percenthigher than in meat, 35 percent higher than in soya beans, and 12 percenthigher than in eggs.
“I use fresh algae every day for diseaseprevention and improving my health”.-VNA
