Effect Of Nitrogen From Different Sources On The Growth And Biomass Production Of Spirulina Platensis (Gomont) Geitler

Abstract

Spirulina platensis is a filamentous cyanobacterium known for its promising nutritional value used in several industries. The biomass produced after 24-days cultivation treated with sodium nitrate is significantly higher (0.001 <α0.05) than the cultures treated with urea. Cultures given with nitrogen concentration of 1.648 g/L of sodium nitrate had the highest optical density (5.895 ± 1.095) and dried biomass (2.265 ± 0.390 mg/mL) but not significantly higher with other sodium nitrate treatments (OD: 0.395 > α0.05, DBM: 0.629 >α0.05). The findings suggest that urea is not recommended as an alternative nitrogen source for Spirulina. Results also showed that lower nitrogen concentrations (0.103 g/L) of sodium nitrate can be used to cultivate Spirulina without compromising the biomass production. Moreover, this study showed that the peak of growth rate happens during the 16th day of cultivation.