Walailak Journal of Science and Technology (Jan 2016)
Effect of Modified Zarrouk’s Medium on Growth of Different Spirulina Strains
Abstract
The effect of modified Zarrouk’s medium on the growth response of 6 different Spirulina strains was evaluated. Specific growth rate, doubling time, mean daily division rate, biomass, and chlorophyll-A contents were analyzed. Growth patterns of these strains were monitored continuously for 40 days. The results revealed significant differences in the growth parameters for different strains. S. platensis (SP-6) and S. platensis (CCMB) showed the maximum specific growth rates (µ = 6.1, µ = 5.8), doubling times (Td = 6.93, Td = 6.87), mean division rates (k = 0.27, k = 0.23) biomasses (5.1, 5.0 g/l) and chlorophyll A contents (78, 65 µg/ml) respectively, when compared with the other strains used in this study. Therefore, S. platensis (SP-6) and S. platensis (CCMB) strains can be suggested for large scale commercial cultivation with modified Zarrouk’s medium. This provides the basis of a low cost medium for cultivating Spirulina, which is known to be a promising microalgae with several benefits.