Evaluation of Nutrient Dependent Growth of Spirulina platensis for Pigment-proteins Production

Abstract

Background: Spirulina is a multicellular, filamentous cyanobacterium, belonging to the Phormidiaceae family which appears as blue-green filaments composed of cylindrical cells arranged in unbranched helicoidal trichomes. It contains a wide spectrum of nutrients that include proteins with all essential amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, pigments, carotenoids and super antioxidants apart from trace elements. Methods: The aim of the present study is to optimize the growth of cyanobacterium i.e., Spirulina platensis in selected media such as Zarrouk’s modified medium, Zarrouk’s medium, BG11 medium and F-2 medium. The growth analyses were recognized after 30 days. The temperature was maintained at 30±2°C under 12:12 hour light-dark cycles, light illuminated (4500 lux). Result: The maximum biomass of 0.641 gm/ml was achieved in Zarrouk’s modified medium. The inoculation of S. platensis in the F-2 medium showed the least growth of alga. The maximum concentration of phycocyanin content (0.19 mg/ml) and total carotenoid contents (5.99 µg/ml) were observed in Zarrouk’s modified medium followed by Zarrouk’s medium (0.12 mg/ml and 5.51 µg/ml) and minimum amounts were observed in F-2 medium (0.08 mg/ml and 3.08 µg/ml). According to the results, this study concluded that the growth and biomass of Spirulina with significant cell count and higher pigment proteins can be enhanced by using the naturally modified medium.