Tablets, Powders, and Blends: Formulating Spirulina and Phycocyanin Supplements

Spirulina is among the most recognized nutraceutical ingredients, valued for its dense nutrition profile, while purified phycocyanin offers a more differentiated active for premium positioning. Together they give supplement brands a versatile toolkit.

Format considerations

• Tablets and capsules: Convenient, dose-controlled, and shelf-stable; suited to whole spirulina biomass.
• Powders and blends: Flexible for smoothies and functional mixes, where color and taste are part of the experience.
• Liquid and shots: Phycocyanin's vivid blue is a visual differentiator, though it requires attention to pH and light stability.

Dosing context

Spirulina is commonly consumed in gram-level daily amounts as a nutritional supplement, with the specific level depending on the product positioning and regulatory framework. Purified phycocyanin is used at much smaller inclusion levels where the goal is color or a concentrated active rather than bulk nutrition.

Stability

Whole spirulina is relatively robust in dry formats; phycocyanin as a pigment is more sensitive to heat, light, and pH, so liquid and functional formats need protective formulation.

Planning ahead

The global supplement market continues to grow, with plant- and algae-based ingredients among the faster-moving categories. For brands planning 2027, consistent-grade supply with documentation supports both quality and label claims.

Forward-looking note: SPIRUVA is in a pre-launch phase, with commercial production scheduled for July 2027. The above reflects general formulation practice, not product-specific or health claims.