Algae and other phytoplankton, or microscopic aquatic plants, are widespread throughout the world's waters. Their potential as a food source was briefly explored in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and in the late 20th century their potential as a source of possible medicines or neutraceuticals has led to renewed scrutiny. One family of algae, the cryptomonadales, are used commercially as the source of a dietary supplement. A Taiwanese company, International Cryptomonadales Biotechnology or ICB, has trademarked the use of the term for that purpose.
Chlorella Sorokiniana
The specific algae used in Cryptomonadales tablets is Chlorella sorokiniana, a green algae. During the postwar vogue for research into algae as a food source, chlorella was thought to be a promising food source, offering high levels of protein and healthy oils as well as numerous vitamins and minerals. In practice, it turned out that it was difficult to grow in commercially-viable quantities, and that the algae's tough cell walls made it relatively indigestible. Manufacturers such as ICB and its rivals claim to have beaten the digestibility problem, producing chlorella with easily digested cell walls that allow its nutrients to be absorbed easily.
Vitamin Content
According to nutritional information provided by the manufacturer, ICB, cryptomonadales tablets contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. They are also said to contain biotin, niacin, pantothenic acid, beta carotene, folic acid and choline. The cryptomonadales.us website goes further, providing percentages of these and other nutrients as tested by German laboratories Institut Kirchhoff Berlin GmbH, and Dr. Wessling Laboratorien GmbH. Although the figures are impressive, it's important to remember that they are offered by self-interested advocates for the product, and there is no readily available method for a private citizen to verify these claims.
Other Nutrients
Aside from their vitamin content, cryptomonadales tablets include the minerals calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and phosphorous. Cryptomonadales tablets also contain all the essential amino acids that make up a complete protein, which can be important for vegetarians and especially vegans. Unlike the vitamin content, chlorella is well established in scientific literature as a protein source. This was one of the prime reasons for its importance in food research during the postwar years.
PPARs
The most significant health benefit of cryptomonadales may be the presence of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, or PPARs. These are a relatively new field of study, subject of their own scholarly journal -- PPAR Research -- since 2005. PPARs have shown promise as a potential factor in mitigating various forms of cancer, metabolic disorders, obesity, cardiovascular illness and a number of other common conditions. However, this field of research is still in its infancy, and it is too early to say whether cryptomonadales or any other source of PPARs can be efficacious in treatment of these health problems.
References
- USC Illumin Magazine: Underwater Habitats
- Biotechnology Advances: Micro-Algae as a Source of Protein
- Cryptomonadales.us: Cryptomonadales Nutritional Data per 100 g
- International Cryptomonadales Biotechnology Company, Ltd.: Cryptomonadales Nutritional Data
- PPAR Research: Successful Launching and Promising Future
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