Author Archive Patricia Puente

ByPatricia Puente

High Quality Spirulina Strain

Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae. The name Spirulina is derived from the words “Spiru” (spiral) and “Lina” (little). Spirulina is the ONLY food that contains no cell wall making it easier for the body to absorb and utilize its nutrients. Spirulina is rich in vitamins and nutrients, Phycocyanin, Chlorophyll, Carotenoids, antioxidants and more.

The image below is a clear illustration of a drop of fresh Aztec Spirulina under a microscope with 100x magnification. This is what a mature ready to harvest spirulina strain should look like. It should be fully coiled, dense, vibrant in color under a microscope and it should maintain a pH of nine to eleven.

Aztec Foodgrowers Corporation have been growing pure and high grade spirulina since 2008 and have been certified by the FDA to grow, process and distribute quality spirulina. Check out their specialized growing facilities.

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23 Reasons Why you should take Spirulina

Research and Studies

Cellular Level Wellness

ByPatricia Puente

Beware of FAKE Spirulina

The rise of new variants of COVID 19 despite the presence of vaccines comes with the emergence of several studies and clinical trials in finding solutions to lessen the spread of COVID 19. Recently, Israeli and Icelandic scientists published in the Medical Biotechnology study on how “enhanced Spirulina reduces by 70% the release of an immune-system protein that causes dangerous cytokine storm in the lungs.” which may definitely prevent and help early stages of COVID 19. Spirulina’s C-phycocyanin (C-PC), a blue pigment-binding protein enhances antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-tumor activities. Phycocyanin is also used as supplemental treatment for cancer patients. Read more about Phycocyanin

Spirulina is not your ordinary food supplement because it is internationally recognized and accredited by the United Nations (UN) as a complete source of vitamins and nutrients as stated in the 1974 World Health Organization Conference (WHO). With recent findings about spirulina, its popularity has resulted in the proliferation of fake or low quality Spirulina this time of pandemic. 

Similar to what happened in the 1970’s there was a rise in popularity of spirulina because of its efficacy. Due to this, mass production took place which resulted with adulteration and poor regulation. This flooded the market with spirulina that failed to meet its standard. This brought the industry of spirulina down. This is why we should avoid making the same mistakes.

After conducting online product research and comparative analysis on different Spirulina in the market, it is certain that there have been many misrepresentations of Spirulina in terms of what it is, where it comes from, how it is grown, what it looks like, how it should taste, and more. In this article, you will be able to detect the difference between fake and real Spirulina.

How to Spot Genuine from Fake Spirulina

Spirulina is not a plant grown on soil. Spirulina was once classified as a plant because of “its richness” in plant pigments as well as its ability to photosynthesize. But Spirulina belong to the group of microorganisms called cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Wherein, it grows in shallow saline water with pH level of 9-11. 

Spirulina is not seaweed as misrepresented in the picture, because it is microscopic, and impossible to hold unless dewatered and pressed to form a cake. 

Spirulina is not an ordinary algae seen growing in rocks or seabeds. Based from Algaebase.org there are 30,000 to 1 million species of algae. Spirulina is a naturally occurring blue-green algae that is commercially grown in a controlled environment. Which goes to the next point.

Spirulina is not grown in uncontrolled water environments such as lakes, sea, open ponds, rivers. Historically, Spirulina was originally rediscovered and grown in Lake Chad in central Africa. But with global warming, and rise of polluted water systems, growing safe and pure spirulina is impossible. It should be grown in specialized facilities (enclosed ponds, with proper ventilation, lighting and agitation). May it be open or closed raceway ponds, it is important to know how your spirulina is being grown. Check out Aztec Spirulina specialized facilities. 

Some poor quality Spirulina are packed and mislabeled without FDA approval. To eliminate doubt, we highly recommend that you buy from local GROWERS with FDA APPROVED LTO (License To Operate) and necessary FDA – CPR (Certificate of Product Registration) to market.

Stop Proliferation of Fake Spirulina

These are some of the observations we, as a local spirulina producer, collected overtime. By exposing these misrepresentations, spirulina users are now able to detect fake from real spirulina in the market. We are calling for the involvement of all academe, sellers and authorized governing bodies to improve the system and controls for spirulina by indicating what defines pure and quality spirulina, we can raise quality control and the bar of excellence in the process.

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What is Genuine spirulina?

ByPatricia Puente

DTI Event Hybrid National Food Fair 2021

About DTI BDTP

The Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) is an agency of DTI Philippines in charge of efficient marketing of local products and services through the conduct of marketing events, such as trade fairs, in-store displays, showcases, and local trade missions; expand and strengthen linkages among MSMEs through information exchange and other market matching-related activities; and create awareness of domestic marketing opportunities for new projects, technologies and investments.

DTI Major Trade Events

BDTP conducts three major trade fairs every year namely the National Food Fair which focuses on local producers, farmers, processors with FDA compliance and prospective products gearing towards national and export market. The National Arts and Crafts Fair are focused on Philippine artisans and creative arts and crafts while the National Trade Fair features both food and non-food local products.

DTI Virtual Event

To conform with safety protocols and at the same time help local producers and SMES in selling their products and services, DTI started this year with the the first Virtual National Trade Fair held last January 27 to February 2, 2021. There was live interaction with exhibitors for the first 4 days (Jan.27-30, 2021) while for the last 3 days (Jan.31-Feb.2), visitors can still access virtual booths and message exhibitors. This is a good avenue for local SMES to promote their products through their virtual booths in the National Trade Fair website while for visitors who would like to purchase can proceed with their online shopping by clicking the provided online shop links of exhibitors.

DTI #tatakpinoy Event

In partnership with Shopee Philippines DTI launched the #tatakpinoy buy local, support local Pop-up store in Shopee Mall. This is to further encourage online shopping of locally produced products. Here are some of the list of Rizal SMES joining the event:

Aztec Spirulina know more About Spirulina

Balaw Balaw

Crates Possibilities

Cut N Shape

Glofon Herbal Medicine

Abanico Artwork

Louniel Handicrafts

The Maria Kim Collection

Pacencia Flores Handicrafts

Pio’s Gourmet Tuyo

Sampaloc Agrarian Reform BMPC

Scents and Memories

Tarjeta Karta

DTI launches Hybrid event

DTI National Food Fair details and product focus
Hybrid National Food Fair (NFF) to be held at the Carousel Court, Event Hall, and Civic Drive Hallway of Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City on April 23-May 2, 2021.

The NFF is part of a series of national fairs conducted annually by the BDTP. In 2020, the bureau indefinitely postponed the mounting of national fairs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the BDTP will adopt the hybrid concept of a trade fair to combine the excitement of a traditional and physical event and the advantages and flexibility of a digital or online event which allows the participation of exhibitors and visitors who could not join physically because of travel restrictions and health protocols. Participation is free of charge. For interested exhibitors contact your provincial DTI office. 

Special Features for DTI Virtual and Physical Event

DTI NFF Virtual and Physical Special Features
Hybrid National Food Fair (NFF) will conduct both Virtual Fair and Physical Fair and will feature special activities and local organizations

The Hybrid NFF aims to showcase the best of Philippine food products; provide opportunities for MSMEs, farmers, and fruit growers to sell their products and sustain their livelihood amid the COVID-induced crisis; encourage consumers and buyers to support the economy during the pandemic; and further, accelerate and promote the digital transformation of MSMEs and at the same time reduce the carbon footprint of trade events. The 2021 NFF will feature 100 MSMEs in the physical fair while 200 MSMEs will participate virtually through an e-commerce platform and/or through Facebook live and other digital live streaming platforms. Apart from featuring special settings, cooking demos, webinars, and testimonials that will be live streamed, the bureau will also engage e-commerce platforms and logistics service providers to enable exhibitors to deliver the orders of buyers. For more details DTI BDTP

ByPatricia Puente

23 Reasons why you should take spirulina

Spirulina “arthrospira platensis” is a simple single cell microscopic blue green algae. It has the shape of a coiled spring: thus the name Spirulina was derived, which means little spiral.

Based on history, spirulina was part of the staple diet of the Mayas and Aztec civilizations in precolonial Mesoamerica. It has also been eaten as dried flakes called Dihe by people of the Kanembu tribe of Africa. In 1974, the United Nations declared Spirulina as the most nutrient rich algae that could help fight malnutrition. UNICEF also claims that Spirulina is the “Best Food of the Future” available today. It is considered as the World’s Healthiest Food because 1 gram of Spirulina has the equivalent nutritional content of 1 kilogram of assorted fruits and vegetables.

So what are the health benefits of Spirulina? Here are the list of Wonders of Spirulina according from the book “Manna from Heaven” by Dr. Domingo Tapiador.

Wonders of Spirulina poster
  • Increases stamina and energy
  • Clearer eyesight
  • Stimulates brain function and focus
  • Heals mouth and throat sores (when taken in granule form)
  • Revitalizes Skin
  • Lowers risk of Cancer
  • Prevents heart and degenerative diseases
  • Regulates Cholesterol level
  • Regulates blood sugar level
  • Help battle anemia
  • Aids in Dieting and slimming
  • Counters Heartburn, Hyperacidity and Ulcer
  • Normalizes absorption and digestion
  • Helps prevent constipation
  • Eases PMS, PCOS and other hormonal imbalances in women
  • Helps boosts milk production for breastfeeding mothers
  • Helps increase sperm count and potency
  • Helps maintain better muscle tone
  • Strengthen bones
  • Helps establish good night sleep to counter insomnia
  • Build better immune system
  • Helps in recovery from Radiation exposure
  • Helps cure Dengue

Spirulina in general is a good source of vitamins, nutrients, vegetable protein, amino acids and anti oxidants. However when buying your Spirulina make sure to buy it from trusted spirulina producers. Aztec Spirulina is guaranteed quality 100% pure and high grade spirulina. The spirulina producer, Aztec Foodgrowers Corporation has been growing spirulina in the Philippines since 2008 with complete FDA papers. The brand is known to have the best tasting spirulina compared to other Spirulina in the market because Aztec Spirulina has a similar taste to squash seeds and nori seaweeds. 

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