Chlorella

小球藻 · Chlorella

Place · Level 3

一种单细胞绿藻。营销吹它三点——补 B12、排重金属、绿色超级食物——但三点都站不住, 它自己还容易富集重金属, 到头来不如直接吃菜

Chlorella · not Spirulina

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小球藻 · 不是螺旋藻

Chlorella is a single-celled green alga (Chlorophyta phylum):

Latin name Chlorella vulgaris / pyrenoidosa / sorokiniana, etc.Eukaryote (has nucleus + chloroplast), completely different from Spirulina (cyanobacteria, a prokaryote)Diameter 2–10 μm, smaller than a red blood cell — microscopic green spheresPhotosynthetic + autotrophic: sunlight + CO₂ + simple salts → protein + lipid + sugarRapid replication: divides in 4–6 hours; pond-scale cultivation is feasible
The name's origin: in 1890, Dutch biologist Beijerinck named it from Chloros (green) + ella (little) = 'little green'.

Nutritional composition (per 100 g dried powder):

Protein 50–60%, complete amino acid profileFat 10–15%, contains ALA (α-linolenic acid) + some DHA / EPACarbs 15–20%, mainly cellulose cell wall + some polysaccharidesChlorophyll 1–2%, much higher than spirulina (the basis of its 'green')β-carotene + lutein + zeaxanthinIron 13–22 mg per 15 g dried powder (depends on cultivation)B vitamins, but B12 is special (see below)
'Spirulina or Chlorella?' — a common confusion:

Dimension	Spirulina	Chlorella
Biology	Cyanobacteria (bacteria)	Eukaryotic green alga (plant kingdom relative)
Cell wall	None	Yes (strong cellulose, needs cracking)
Color	Blue-green	Emerald green
Chlorophyll	Medium	High (1–2%)
B12 content	Almost entirely inactive analogue	Partial true B12 + analogue mix
Traditional use	Aztec food	Post-war Japan protein substitute
Marketing	'Protein + phycocyanin'	'Chlorophyll + detox'

Origin of 'why chlorella instead of vegetables' marketing:

1950s–60s UN + Japan research: chlorella might solve global protein shortagePond cultivation protein yield ~10× soybeanDidn't become a protein substitute: high cost + poor taste + low digestibility (cell wall problem)Transitioned to 'superfood / health supplement', commercialized in Japan from the 1970s2010s entered Western markets, paired with spirulina as 'green superfood'2020s 'heavy metal detox' + 'vegan B12' marketing pushed it from food to 'functional drug'
Honest positioning:

As food: decent nutrient density, but 10–30× more expensive than dark leafy greens (spinach / kale), no special advantageAs supplement: most marketing claims lack RCT validationAs detox agent: over-extrapolated from rodent research

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Educational content, not medical advice — consult a clinician.

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