Cultivation of Single Cell Protein – Spirulina

Aim:

To cultivate and mass production of spirulina

Introduction:

Spirulina is a blue green algae having unique combination of protein, vitamins, minerals. It is richest and cheapest source of nutrients to the human being. It is the richest source of protein (55-71%), minerals  like  iron, calcium, vitamins like beta-Carotene (Vitamin B12. It is used in the diets of malnourished children, adults and sportsmen.Sufficient quantity of iron has proved boom for anemic women and children. Due to its antioxidant nature, scavenges free radicals, prevent diseases like diabetes, cataract, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, aging and cancer are caused by free radicals. It contain gamma linolinic acid which prevent the accumulation of fats and cholesterol and reduces blood pressure. It is rich in protein, beta carotene and vitamin E is being used in the preparation of anti wrinkle cream, anti pimple lotion and various cosmetic products.

 Material Required

Spirulina strain

Zarrouk’s Medium  (pH 9.5) .

NaHCO₃                       16.0

NaNO₃                        2.5

 NaCl                           1.0

K₂SO₄                         1.0

K 2HPO₄                     0.5

MgSO4·7H₂O            0.2  

FeSO4·7H₂O             0.01

 Na-EDTA                  2.5

 Trace minerals

Conical Flasks

Apart from these you require thermometer, pH sensors, air compressors etc for checking various growing conditional parameters.

Procedure:

Strain maintenance:

For Spirulina cultivation, Zarrouk’s Medium was Prepared. Care was taken that the pH of medium is 9.5 after autoclaving. To achieve this, pH of the medium was adjusted to 8.5 which resulted in a pH of 9.5, after autoclaving and "recovery" of the medium. Growth and maintenance of culture is done at 30 ± 2 °C under 12/12 hour light-dark cycles.

Growth Conditions:

For suitable growth, 1 ml of Spirulina culture was inoculated in flasks containing 100 ml growth medium. These flasks were placed under light chamber at 30^oC to 35^oC.

Growth rate was measured by taking O.D (optical density) at 560nm. Agitation was done manually, four to five times a day, after regular interval of time/ or aeration by aquarium pump.  During cultivation, pH was monitored and controlled within values ranging from 8.5 to 10. The yield of cultures is expressed as total dry weight after 15 days of growth. The total dry weight is determined by harvesting the cells and drying it.

Ref:

1. Joshi et.al., 2014. To evaluate Lab scale Cultivation of Spirulina by using different substrates and to Evaluate its Chlorophyll and Protein content. Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. Vol. 3(1), 22-30, January (2014)

2. http://www.akmindia.in/spirulina-cultivation/

3. Indira Priyadarshani et.al., 2014. Influence of aeration and light on biomass production and protein content of four species of marine Cyanobacteria. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2014) 3(12): 173-182