The science behind the only microalgae of its kind.
Two human randomized controlled trials. Peer-reviewed mechanistic research. Third-party tested by Eurofins every lot. Single origin. Fully traceable.
Not all microalgae are equal.
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium. Chlorella is a green alga. Both have evolved entirely in aquatic environments. Klebsormidium flaccidum is something categorically different.
Classified as a Charophyte — the same evolutionary lineage that gave rise to all terrestrial plants — Klebsormidium sits at the transition point between aquatic algae and land plants. This dual heritage produces a compound profile that neither kingdom can replicate alone: the bioactive complexity of a land plant combined with the bioavailability of a microalgae.
ZL01 is the specific patented strain cultivated by Zivolife. It is the only commercially available Klebsormidium flaccidum in the world. Every lot is grown at a single dedicated facility in Ica, Peru, third-party tested by Eurofins to AOAC and USP standards for composition, heavy metals, and microbiology, and imported under an active FDA Foreign Supplier Verification Program certificate.
| Compound | Per serving (3g) | Per 100g | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 2g | 52g | Complete — all 9 essential amino acids. >90% bioavailability vs ~60–70% for spirulina. |
| Dietary Fiber | <1g | 14.4g | Soluble and insoluble prebiotic fiber matrix. Supports microbiome and gut barrier integrity. |
| Beta-glucan | ~0.1g | ~3.3g | Immune modulation. Significantly higher than spirulina (<1%) or chlorella. |
| ALA (omega-3) | ~0.09g | 3.1g | Anti-inflammatory omega-3. Dominant PUFA in lipid profile. |
| Iron | 4.3mg | 142mg | 25% DV per serving. Well-characterized range documented per lot. |
| Vitamin K₁ | 64mcg | 2,131mcg | 1,780% DV per 100g. Vascular elasticity and calcium handling. |
| Vitamin E | 0.9mg | 29mg | ~20× higher than chlorella. Lipid-phase antioxidant. |
| Vitamin A (β-carotene) | 95mcg | 3,168mcg | 350% DV per 100g. Antioxidant and immune modulation. |
| Lutein | ~7mg | 241mg | Retinal protection and antioxidative function. |
| Zeaxanthin | ~2.5mg | 84mg | Paired with lutein — retinal and antioxidative support. |
| Total Carotenoids | ~10mg | ~330mg | High antioxidant payload across multiple carotenoid classes. |
| Polyphenols (total) | ~18mg | 603mg | Nrf2 pathway activation. Antioxidant and chelation support. |
| Chlorophyll (total) | ~50mg | 1,671mg | Porphyrin chelators. Part of heavy metal binding mechanism. |
| Potassium | 44mg | 1,465mg | Electrolyte support. 30% DV per 100g. |
| Calcium | 5mg | 161mg | Bone health support. |
| Pheophorbide a | Present | Quantified per lot | iNOS inhibitor. IC50 0.24µM. NF-κB modulation. (See Mechanistic Research below) |
Source: Eurofins Scientific, USA. Third-party tested per commercial lot. AOAC/USP methods.
Ranges documented per lot — full Certificate of Analysis available on request.
Two human randomized controlled trials.
The clinical evidence base for ZL01 includes two peer-reviewed human RCTs and a 90-day subchronic toxicity study with independent safety confirmation. The following data is drawn directly from published and registered literature.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 60 overweight adults over 10 weeks found significant reductions in CRP and IL-6, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and fasting glucose. HDL increased. Body weight and body fat were reduced. No adverse effects were reported at any timepoint.
Oben, J.E. et al. (2007). Lipids in Health and Disease. DOI: 10.1186/1476-511X-6-20
A second registered, placebo-controlled trial independently confirmed the lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory outcomes of the first study. Reproducibility across independent study populations supports the validity of the cardiovascular and inflammatory claims.
Registered trial NCT00518960. ClinicalTrials.gov. Results consistent with Oben et al. (2007).
Anti-inflammatory compounds mapped by UHPLC-MS analysis.
Researchers at the National Center for Natural Products Research used ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the specific anti-inflammatory compounds present in ZL01.
Four classes of bioactive compounds were identified as contributing to anti-inflammatory activity: hydroxylated fatty acids, chlorophyll-derived pheophorbides, carotenoids, and glycoglycerolipids.
The most potent compound identified was pheophorbide a, which inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) — a primary molecular driver of the inflammatory response — at a concentration of 0.24 µM. It also demonstrated inhibition of NF-κB, a central transcription factor in inflammatory signalling.
Qiu, S., Khan, S.I., Wang, M. et al. (2020). Chemometrics-assisted identification of anti-inflammatory compounds from the green alga Klebsormidium flaccidum var. zivo. Molecules, 25(5), 1048. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051048
Safety margin exceeds 1,000x typical human exposure.
A 90-day subchronic oral toxicity study established a No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level of 9.7 grams per kilogram body weight per day — the highest dose tested. No adverse effects were observed at any dose. Genotoxicity testing was negative on both Ames assay and micronucleus assay. No cyanotoxins or harmful byproducts were detected in harvested biomass.
Steffek, A.E. et al. (2018). KALGAE (Klebsormidium flaccidum var. ZIVO) dried algal biomass — 90-day dietary toxicity study and genotoxicity studies. Toxicology Reports, 5, 959-969. PMC6169147
Regulatory & certification status:
- GRAS certified — 21 CFR §170.30(b), expert panel review
- Non-mutagenic confirmed — Ames assay and micronucleus assay negative
- Non-allergenic — FASTER Act compliant
- FDA FSVP certificate — active, validated April 2024
- cGMP certified facility — Alimenta Algae S.A.C., Ica, Peru
- HACCP certified
- Non-GMO · Gluten-free · Vegan · Dairy-free
- Organic and Kosher certifications in progress
One ingredient. The research is there.
Two human RCTs. Peer-reviewed mechanistic research. 90-day safety study with zero adverse effects. Third-party tested by Eurofins every lot. Single-origin, fully traceable, cGMP certified.
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Grown at one farm. Tested every lot. Fully traceable.
ZL01 is cultivated exclusively at the Alimenta Algae S.A.C. facility in Ica, Peru — a high-altitude coastal desert environment chosen for its solar intensity, water purity, and isolation from agricultural contamination. The Ica region provides year-round cultivation conditions unavailable in most other geographies.
The facility operates under cGMP certification with HACCP protocols. Low-temperature drying preserves all bioactive compounds and phytonutrients, yielding a 24-month shelf life. No solvents, no preservatives, no co-manufactured ingredients.
Every commercial lot is third-party tested by Eurofins in the USA for full macronutrient and micronutrient composition, heavy metals including lead, mercury, and cadmium, and complete microbiological screening before product release. Full Certificate of Analysis is available for every lot.
