Tag: Algae vs bacteria

For centuries, civilizations have harvested spirulina, but its true biological identity is often misunderstood. Although commonly referred to as a blue-green algae, the scientific answer to 'what is spirulina classified as?' points to a different, more ancient, group of organisms: cyanobacteria.

Historically, spirulina was mistakenly classified as a type of algae, but it is scientifically a genus of cyanobacteria, a type of photosynthetic bacterium. This distinction is crucial for understanding its unique cellular structure and metabolic processes, which differ significantly from true eukaryotic algae. Despite the scientific classification, the moniker "blue-green algae" persists in popular culture and commercial marketing.