Journal of Health and Nutrition Research
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026)

Nutritional Composition, Pigment Profiling, and Antioxidant Capacity of Locally Produced Powdered Spirulina from Central Java, Indonesia

Elma Alfiah (Nutrition Science Study Program, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, IPB University, Indonesia)
Sri Anna Marliyati (Nutrition Science Study Program, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, IPB University, Indonesia)
Mira Dewi (Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, IPB University, Indonesia)
Mokhamad Fahrudin (Division of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Aug 2026

Abstract

Spirulina (Arthrospira sp.) is widely recognized as a nutrient-dense microalgal biomass with potential functional properties. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional composition, bioactive pigment profile, and antioxidant activity of locally produced spirulina powder from Central Java (Indonesia), with particular emphasis on its radical scavenging capacity evaluated using the DPPH assay. Spirulina powder was analyzed for proximate composition (moisture, crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrate, and ash), as well as major bioactive pigments including phycobiliproteins, chlorophyll, and β-carotene. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The spirulina powder contained 56% protein. The bioactive pigment profile was dominated by phycobiliproteins, particularly C-phycocyanin, alongside high levels of chlorophyll and β-carotene. Antioxidant evaluation showed a concentration-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity, with an IC₅₀ value of approximately 396 ppm, indicating moderate direct radical scavenging capacity within the DPPH system. These findings suggest that local spirulina from Central Java possesses limited instantaneous free radical scavenging activity when assessed using a single-mechanism chemical assay. However, its complex nutritional matrix may contribute to antioxidant mechanisms beyond direct radical neutralization, although this was not specifically evaluated in the present study.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jhnr

Publisher

Subject

Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health

Description

The Journal of Health and Nutrition Research (ISSN: 2829-9760) is an international peer-reviewed, scientific, and open-access journal managed by Media Publikasi Cendekia Indonesia. Journal of Health and Nutrition Research aims to provide forum exchanges and interfaces between researchers and related ...