Spirulina sp. LEB 18 cultivation in seawater and reduced nutrients: Bioprocess strategy for increasing carbohydrates in biomass

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 316; p. 123883
• Main Authors: Bezerra, P.Q.M., Moraes, L., Cardoso, L.G., Druzian, J.I., Morais, M.G., Nunes, I.L., Costa, J.A.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2020
• Subjects: Biomolecules; Marine water; Microalgae; Nutrients; Salinity; Marine water; Biomolecules; Nutrients; Microalgae; Salinity
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123883

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•Seawater (SW0) can be used as a culture medium of Spirulina.•SW0 condition resulted in the highest carbohydrates productivity in Spirulina.•SW0 is an innovative cultivation strategy with the potential for Spirulina growth.
This study aimed to evaluate the growth and production of biomolecules by Spirulina sp. LEB 18 cultivated in seawater. The seawater was used without nutrient addition (SW0) and supplemented with 100% (SW100), 50% (SW50), and 25% (SW25) nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and EDTA concentrations that make up the Zarrouk culture medium. When grown in SW0, Spirulina sp. LEB 18 showed maximum biomass concentration (2.17 g L−1) on the 11th d of cultivation and an increase in the carbohydrate content and productivity by 203% and 52%, respectively, when compared to the control culture. This cultivation strategy demonstrated the feasibility of using seawater as an alternative to freshwater in cultures as well as reduced nutritional requirements for biomass and carbohydrate production.