Safety

Statement Of Quality

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae is emerging as a unique dietary supplement with scientifically demonstrated health-promoting effects. It is growing naturally and harvested from a natural environment. Strict adherence to highest quality practices is essential for the production of a superior quality product that preserves all the properties of fresh Aphanizomenon flos-aquae.

Production of the highest quality product is the core value that determines all of Ancient Sun Nutrition’s manufacturing processes and practices. Additionally, we strive to offer the most informative, scientifically-based marketing support material and overall services to our customers, competitively-priced. Ancient Sun's harvester has developed one of the most comprehensive and stringent Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) program in the dietary supplement industry. Their QA/QC program ensures that algae is harvested only in optimal conditions (speciation, biomass), that the integrity and quality of the harvested algae is preserved (speciation, temperature), that specific criteria are met in order to optimize production and the quality of the end product (solid content), and that the finished blue-green algae powder meets all the criteria for optimum quality as a food product (microbiology, chlorophyll content, pesticides, heavy metals, microcystin).

Speciation is a test performed under a microscope that allows determining the species of algae growing at any one time and location in the Klamath Lake. Speciation analysis is performed everyday on samples of lake water, before harvesting, to determine that the harvested bloom is > 99% Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. The speciation is performed at multiple sites providing information to monitor growth and movement of algae blooms in Klamath Lake. The speciation analysis is repeated on harvested algae, in the harvesters holding tank, to confirm that the harvested algae is a virtual monoculture (>99% AFA).

Biomass refers to the quantity of algae per volume of water. Greatest benefits are obtained from blue-green algae when the algal bloom is in full growth. Therefore, to ensure quality and highest bioactivity, algae is harvested only when the biomass exceeds a specific threshold. Temperature One of the most important factors to preserve the integrity of harvested algae is the ability to chill algae as soon as possible and to constantly maintain the harvested algae at low temperature. On each harvesting vessel, the harvested algae is transferred to a refrigerated tank within minutes of being harvested. The time interval between harvesting and chilling is closely monitored. The temperature of the harvested algae is monitored throughout the entire process and maintained below 42 ° F at all time. Solid content refers to the quantity of solid algae particles per volume of liquid algae. In order to optimize the drying process and reduce the effect water removal during drying, the algae is further dewatered prior to drying using the Refractance Window™ or low temperature spray dry process. To ensure optimal processing and highest quality, solid content of the harvested algae closely is monitored.


Microbiology

Various sanitary and health standards have been established in the food industry. At the time of harvesting and processing the QA/QC program utilizes Organic methods to reduce bacterial load and provide a final product that exceeds all criteria of quality. The table below summarizes the various tests performed, along with the food industry and our harvester’s acceptable limits.

Sanitation

All surfaces that come in contact with algae, after removal from lake water, are made of food grade stainless steel and food grade hosing. All these surfaces are sanitized every day with pressured vapor, a food grade enzyme activated sanitizer and a paracetic acid-based sanitizer (Organic). Swab tests are performed randomly using bioluminescence assay to monitor the sanitation procedure. Records of all the cleaning procedures and swab tests are kept. Chlorophyll Content Chlorophyll is one of the first nutrients to degrade when the harvested algae is not rapidly chilled and handled with care. The amount of intact chlorophyll is monitored in the validation of every steps of the harvesting process and quantified in the final product. Pesticides The waters of Klamath Lake have been tested numerous times by local governmental agencies and since 1990 were always found free of pesticides and other chemical contaminants. Harvested algae has always been found free of pesticides. Nonetheless, to ensure the highest quality, a full pesticide profile is regularly performed on harvested algae. Heavy Metals Quality Control procedures for wildcrafted foods require monitoring for the presence of heavy metals. As part of our harvester’s comprehensive QA/QC Program, each lot is tested for the presence of heavy metals.