What percentage of its dry weight does spirulina protein content sometimes reach?
Answer
Up to 70%
Spirulina is highly valued for its remarkable nutritional density, particularly its protein content. This concentration can reach as high as 70% of its total dry weight, making it an exceptionally efficient source of protein when considering the constraints of mass and volume within a spacecraft or long-term habitat. For missions requiring sustained nutrition over years, maximizing the nutritional return per gram of material is essential, and this high protein density helps achieve that goal, although it necessitates balancing with other macronutrients.
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