Spirulina is a microscopic and filamentous cyanobacterium (blue-green alga). It is 60-70% protein by weight and contains a rich source of vitamins, especially vitamin B12 and provitamin A (13-carotene), and minerals, especially iron. One of the few sources of dietary y-linolenic acid (GLA), it also contains a host of other phytochemicals that have otential health benefits. For medical scientists it is gaining more attention as a nutraceutical and source of potential pharmaceuticals. Spirulina has ability to inhibit viral replication, strengthen both the cellular and humoral immunity and cause regression and inhibition of cancers it also has antioxidant property. It also has been receiving increasing interest due to its potential to produce a diverse range of chemicals and biologically active compounds, such as vitamins, carotenoid pigments, proteins, lipids and polysaccharides.

Present study was designed to explore the indigenous spirulina and its mass cultivation by optimizing the physicochemical growth requirements. One hundred and twenty samples were collected from different soils and water reservoirs from three districts (Sargodha, Lahore and Faisalabad) of Punjab. Then spirulina was isolated from collected samples and cultivated under different nutrient, temperature and light regimes to get its maximum bio-mass in our laboratory.

Our results showed that maximum growth of indigenous spirulina was obtained at 30°C and at 1500 lux (light intensity). Nitrogen concentrations (0.625. 1.25 and 1.875 gIl) had no effect on the growth, while phosphate concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 gIl) had a minimal and gradual effect on growth as the concentrations were increased. For the confirmation and molecular characterization of indigenous spirulina, DNA was isolated by chioroform-isoamyl alcohol extraction method and its polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out by using specific primer of 16s rDNA gene (CYA1O6F and CYA78IR) and PCR products were run on gel giving an amplicon size of 700 bp.

Now a day in the world people are competing for food supplementation. The spirulina can act as a source of nutraceuticals. This study helps in optimizing the growth of indigenous spirulina. For large scale industrial production its extensive study should be done like physiology, growth, reproduction etc. This will pave an avenue for further nutraceuticals.