Chlorella Vulgaris

Chlorella freshwater algae is a spherical microalga and one of the oldest plants on our planet. Affectionately called "the green spherical algae," it is highly popular as a valuable food and superfood, especially among health-conscious individuals and athletes. Particularly noteworthy is its high content of bioactive vitamin B12 (100 µg/100 g)¹ and iron (112 mg/100 g)², which makes the algae interesting not only for vegans. Vitamin B12 and iron contribute, among other things, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, as well as to the normal functioning of the immune system and energy metabolism.

Our chlorella algae are cultivated in a 500 km long glass tube system filled with spring water in a greenhouse in Germany. This special method allows sunlight to reach the algae from all sides. Furthermore, this method prevents the accumulation of pollutants, for example, from leaching from concrete basins, or from rain, dust, or insects.

The spring water for cultivating our chlorella comes from a depth of approx. 45 m. It is an artesian system. The water is free from anthropogenic contaminants. It does not need to be filtered or otherwise treated.
After gentle spray drying, the algae are then ground into powder, so that their valuable ingredients are protected and preserved. The result is a unique premium quality chlorella powder that you can taste and feel. Constant quality controls also guarantee a natural product of the highest quality.

Our chlorella is a particularly rich plant source of spermidine and contains more than 1000 mg/kg of spermidine. Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine that is present in many foods and plays an important role in various biological processes in the body.

Due to the pleasant mild-nutty taste of our chlorella powder, it is excellent for refining smoothies, juices, desserts, cakes, or salad dressings.

Recommended intake: Stir 1 teaspoon (3 g) daily into liquids. Please consume promptly after stirring into liquid. The package contains approx. 83 daily servings.

Storage: Protect from heat, light, and moisture

Average nutritional values per 100 g
Energy kJ (kcal): 1585 kJ / 377 kcal
Fat: 9.3 g
- of which saturated fatty acids: 2.9 g
Carbohydrates: 9.2 g
- of which sugar: 0.6 g
Protein: 51.9 g
Salt: 0.1 g
Vitamin B12¹: 100 µg
Iron²: 112 mg

NRV = Nutrient Reference Values
¹ % NRV: 100 g corresponds to 4000% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B12
² % NRV: 100 g corresponds to 800% of the recommended daily intake of iron

Average nutritional values per daily dose (10 tablets = 3 g)
Energy kJ (kcal): 47 kJ / 11 kcal
Fat: 0.3 g
- of which saturated fatty acids: < 0.1 g
Carbohydrates: 0.3 g
- of which sugar: < 0.1 g
Protein: 1.6 g
Salt: < 0.1 g
Vitamin B12¹: 3 µg
Iron²: 3.4 mg

¹ % NRV: 3 g (10 tablets) corresponds to 120% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B12.
² % NRV: 3 g (10 tablets) corresponds to 24% of the recommended daily intake of iron.

Typical average composition:

Pigments	per 100 g product
Total chlorophyll	2.4 g
Total carotenoids	170 mg
Lutein	150 mg

Vitamins	per 100 g product
Vitamin K	33 µg
Vitamin B6	1 mg
Vitamin B9 (folic acid)	610 µg
Vitamin B12	100 µg
Vitamin C	19 mg
Vitamin E	6 mg

Minerals	per 100 g product
Calcium	316 mg
Potassium	1496 mg
Magnesium	318 mg
Iron	112 mg
Zinc	4 mg

Amino acid spectrum % A.S./∑ A.S.
Aspartic acid	9.5 %
Threonine*	5.0 %
Serine	3.9 %
Glutamic acid	11.9 %
Glycine	6.0 %
Alanine	9.0 %
Cysteine	0.5 %
Methionine*	2.2 %
Isoleucine*	4.4 %
Leucine*	9.5 %
Tyrosine	3.5 %
Phenylalanine*	6.1 %
Lysine*	8.1 %
Histidine*	2.0 %
Arginine	6.5 %
Proline	5.3 %
Tryptophan*	2.4 %
Valine*	6.6 %

* Essential amino acids

Fatty acid spectrum % F.A./∑ F.A.
C16:0 Palmitic acid	25.2 %
C18:0 Stearic acid	2.6 %
C18:1 Oleic acid	5.2 %
C18:2 Linoleic acid	19.3 %
C18:3 α – Linolenic acid	30.7 %

Important notes:

- Naturally contains sulfites. The fluctuation range is between < 10 mg/kg - approx. 30 mg/kg. Sulfites are not added to the product.
- May contain traces of tree nuts.
- Iodine is present only in traces.
- This is a natural product, and its composition is subject to natural fluctuations.

Please note that for legal reasons in Germany, no claims may be made regarding the health effects of food products (including food supplements).

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Discover recipes with Chlorella now:

• Monster Raw Cake

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Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Why is German Chlorella not organic certified?
Since the end of 2015, the EU Organic Regulation generally allows the organic certification of microalgae. However, this process is challenging as it requires specific substrates (fertilizers). After intensive reviews, we have found that some of these substrates are either not vegan or do not meet our high quality criteria. Additionally, we would like to emphasize that the global transport of fertilizers such as guano is neither vegan nor optimal for the algae and does not meet our sustainability standards.
Despite the possibility of having our microalgae organic certified, we have decided against it for now. This step ensures that all substrates and processes we use comply with our own strict quality standards. Your health and satisfaction, as well as the high quality standard of our algae, are our top priority.

What form of vitamin B12 is contained in PureRaw Chlorella?
Only bioavailable forms have been detected in our Chlorella: a mixture of adenosylcobalamin (approx. 76%) + methylcobalamin (approx. 14%) (both vitamin-active) and traces of hydroxocobalamin (approx. 10%) (converted by the body into the vitamin-active form).

- Learn more about Chlorella and Vitamin B12 in our product knowledge.

Recommended specialist articles for further reading:
- Paracelsus Magazin. (2015). Algae as a natural source of Vitamin B12 (Issue 3/2015). Deutsche Paracelsus Schulen. Accessed on 18.03.2021

How should Chlorella be taken with Spirulina?
Generally, Chlorella and Spirulina should be taken at least 30 minutes apart if an efficient absorption of vitamin B12 from our German Chlorella is desired.

What is the packaging made of?
Our Chlorella is optimally protected with our membrane tin and an aluminum-free inner coating (SIOx).
The lid is made of plastic and the tin-plated steel bottom gives the can more stability.
These packaging materials are particularly well suited for food products, their shelf life, aroma, and moisture protection.

Does Chlorella contain spermidine?
Yes - and in impressive quantities. While wheat germ, soybeans, or pumpkin seeds are valued as natural sources of spermidine, Chlorella contains many times their amounts, with approximately 630 - 1000 mg/kg, and is therefore a particularly rich, plant-based source. A daily dose of 3 g Chlorella contains approx. 2-3 mg of spermidine.

- Learn more about Chlorella and spermidine in our product knowledge.

Is Chlorella pyrenoidosa or Chlorella vulgaris better?
In the field of algae, research has developed rapidly over the last 20 years, with advances in analytical/identification methods.
Since 1992, it has been known that the former does not exist at all. It is, therefore, an outdated scientific designation.
Extensive and at that time revolutionary studies have revealed which Chlorella species exist and that, for example, the aforementioned Chlorella pyrenoidosa (which was often described earlier) does not exist (Kessler E. & Huss V.A.R., 1992; Huss V.A.R. et al., Krienitz et al., 2004).
Previously, Chlorella vulgaris was distinguished from Chlorella pyrenoidosa, and different properties were attributed to them. However, in 1992, it was already shown that Chlorella pyrenoidosa as a species does not exist.

Do the cell walls of Chlorella need to be broken?
In fact, studies have not shown a significant increase in bioavailability by micronizing, i.e., breaking the cell membranes. Much more important is the type of drying. In the past, batch dryers were common. However, spray drying significantly increased digestibility. It is also little known that chlorella with broken cell walls binds heavy metals less effectively than the intact variant.

- Learn more about Chlorella and broken cell walls here:
Ullmann, J. (2013, May 1). The world of algae: facts, myths, and stories. The blog of Jörg Ullmann. Accessed on: 18.03.2021

How much Chlorella can I take per day?
Recommended intake: Approx. 1 g per 25 kg body weight.

First time using Chlorella?
Start with a small daily dose and gradually increase it to the recommended amount. The dosage of Chlorella can be adjusted to individual needs.

Does Chlorella contain sugar?
The sugar content in the nutritional information is not added sugar. It refers to natural plant ingredients. Sugar is a product of photosynthesis and can be found in all plants.

Is salt added to the water for Chlorella in the glass tubes?
No, no salt (sodium chloride) is used for the cultivation of Chlorella algae.

Does Chlorella contain iodine?
Since Chlorella is a freshwater alga, there is no iodine source in the medium, and thus no iodine can accumulate there. Iodine is only present in traces.

How does Chlorella affect health?
As we are hardly allowed to make any statements on this, we recommend reading the special issue 04/2017 "The Microalgae Chlorella" of "Die Naturheilkunde" from Forum Medizin Verlag, in which diploma biologist and algae specialist Jörg Ullmann from the algae farm in Klötze discusses the current state of science on Chlorella and its effective mechanisms to support natural detoxification. The article discusses, among other things, Chlorella species; the potential of microalgae to mobilize, bind, and excrete harmful substances such as dioxins, pesticides, or heavy metals like lead, mercury, or arsenic; contained antioxidants and the antioxidant potential; effects on the immune system; and quality criteria of Chlorella products. Many fundamental questions about Chlorella that keep arising, as well as false information that causes confusion, are also addressed here. Many details can also be found on the author's blog "Die Welt der Algen".

- Learn more about Chlorella and its benefits here:
Ullmann, Jörg. "The Microalga Chlorella – Effective Mechanisms for Supporting Natural Detoxification", Die Naturheilkunde, special print from issue 4/2017, Forum Medizin, ISSN 1613-3943, 94th year. Accessed on: 15.05.2018

Is nitrogen metabolized by Chlorella?
Nitrogen (chemical element: N) is one of the so-called macronutrients that every plant, including algae, absolutely needs for life and growth, for example, as a building block for the amino acids of proteins or chlorophyll. This is added to the water in the form of soluble nitrate (NO3) and completely absorbed and metabolized by the algae.

What else is added to the water for the cultivation of the algae?

Like any other plant, Chlorella needs certain micro- and macronutrients to grow, which we add to the cultivation medium in a targeted and optimized amount (for the algae). These nutrients are largely "consumed" by the algae, meaning they are converted into growth and thus into biomass.

Is microbiological contamination of the algae excluded?

Our chlorella grows under natural conditions, meaning that the normal natural accompanying flora is present during growth. Just like on any lettuce leaf, carrot, or apple, for that matter. If the algae are doing well, and we put a lot of effort into ensuring that, then the product does not need to be specially treated and is safe.
Potential biofilms are part of our monitoring, and the tubes are cleaned regularly.

Does the glass tube system not allow the full light spectrum of the sun to pass through? Does this affect the algae when they are cultivated in it?

Glass primarily filters UV light, which algae do not need for their photosynthesis.
In nature, algae grow in water or below the water surface. Similar to glass, water also filters UV light, so the algae are accustomed to these light conditions.

Other manufacturers cultivate chlorella partly in fermenters (completely without light) or in open basins. There, light only hits the culture from above and barely penetrates deep, so the light supply is uneven.
In a glass tube system, the culture is continuously mixed. This way, all algal cells receive even sunlight, providing optimal conditions for healthy growth.

• Breakfast "Smüsli" (by Kirstin Knufmann)