Hawaiian Pacifica + Earthrise canon · controlled generic OK · 🚫 wild AFA AVOID hepatotoxic microcystins.
Cultivated Hawaii open-sea ponds · no contaminants
Best for
Ideal use: premium nutrition · ALL canon indications · quality default.
Advantages
Canon RCT form Karkos + Cyanotech research. Controlled Hawaii culture without heavy metals + microcystins. HPLC phycocyanin + complete analysis. Premium gold standard.
Disadvantages
Expensive (~€20-30/month 5 g/d).
Earthrise Pioneer California cultivated · 4-decade canon
Best for
Ideal use: USA controlled cultivated alternative.
Advantages
Commercial spirulina pioneer 1976 California Earthrise. Controlled culture. Routine HPLC microcystins/metals analysis.
Disadvantages
Smaller production scale vs Cyanotech.
Market majority · controlled Chinese cultures
Best for
Ideal use: budget · validate brand HPLC microcystin certificate.
Advantages
Affordable (~€10-15/month 5 g/d). Some brands Now Foods Organic + Pure Encapsulations validate Chinese cultures.
Disadvantages
Heterogeneous quality · validate microcystin + heavy metals analysis (Cd, Pb, Hg). Poor cultures contamination risk.
'Blue-green algae' wild Klamath Oregon
Best for
AVOID. NO 'blue-green algae' AFA type. ONLY controlled cultivated Spirulina Arthrospira.
Advantages
'Wild superfood' marketing.
Disadvantages
Wild-harvested NOT controlled. HIGH RISK hepatotoxic microcystins (FDA warnings) + BMAA neurotoxin + variable batch. NOT spirulina taxonomically.
Ideal use: premium nutrition · ALL canon indications · quality default.
Ideal use: USA controlled cultivated alternative.
Ideal use: budget · validate brand HPLC microcystin certificate.
AVOID. NO 'blue-green algae' AFA type. ONLY controlled cultivated Spirulina Arthrospira.
Hawaiian Pacifica + Earthrise canon · controlled generic OK · 🚫 wild AFA AVOID hepatotoxic microcystins.