Is spirulina vegan?

Spirulina is a biomass of cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae, taking its name from the Latin word for a small spiral due to its microscopic coiled structure. It is cultivated commercially in controlled outdoor freshwater ponds or closed photobioreactors using water enriched with mineral nutrients. Once the cultures reach sufficient density, the biomass is harvested by filtration, rinsed with fresh water to remove salts, and rapidly spray-dried into a fine green powder or pressed into tablets.

Food manufacturers frequently list spirulina in dietary supplements, powdered drink mixes, smoothies, snack foods, and energy bars. Because it contains phycocyanin, a water-soluble blue pigment, spirulina extract is also widely used as a natural color additive to impart vibrant blue and green shades to confectioneries, frostings, chewing gums, and beverages.

spirulina is vegan.. It is of microbial origin, functioning as a photosynthetic bacterium that grows independently of animal sources. No animal tissues, animal derivatives, or animal-based processing aids are used during its cultivation, harvesting, or dehydration.