Nitrate and ammonia: two key nitrogen sources for biomass and phycocyanin production by Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis

• Published in: Journal of applied phycology Vol. 34; no. 5; pp. 2271 - 2281
• Main Authors: Mousavi, Mina, Mehrzad, Jamshid, Najafi, Mohsen Fathi, Zhiani, Rahele, Shamsian, Seyed Ali Akbar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.10.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Algae; algology; Ammonia; Ammonium chloride; Ammonium nitrate; Arthrospira; Arthrospira platensis; Biomass; biomass production; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cancer; Cell culture; Cell density; Cyanobacteria; cytotoxicity; Ecology; Food; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Gas exchange; Growth rate; Life Sciences; microalgae; Nitrates; Nitrogen; Nitrogen sources; Photobioreactors; Phycocyanin; Pigments; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Potassium; Potassium nitrate; Productivity; Proteins; Sodium; specific growth rate; Spirulina; Toxicity; Urea; Nitrogen sources; Biomass productivity; Phycocyanin
• ISSN: 0921-8971; 1573-5176
• DOI: 10.1007/s10811-021-02664-0

Nitrogen plays a key role in the production of biomass and valuable pigments from Arthrospira platensis . The present research aimed to examine the effect of Zarrouk medium modified with six common nitrogen sources (NaNO 3 , KNO 3 , NH 4 NO 3 , NH 4 SO 4 , NH 4 Cl, and urea) on the biomass and phycocyanin production of the microalga. The medium supplemented with sodium and potassium nitrate resulted in the highest biomass production (~ 1180 mg L −1 ) and culture duration (18 days). The ammonia-based media resulted in the highest specific growth rate and phycocyanin production (118 mg L −1 ) but less maximum cell density and culture period because oversaturation of the media with ammonia causes cell toxicity. The highest phycocyanin content (113 mg g −1 ) was measured in the cells grown in NH 4 SO 4 -supplemented medium. In conclusion, the nitrate-based and the ammonia-based media are proposed for Arthrospira cultivation in closed photobioreactors and open pond systems with free gas exchanges with atmosphere, respectively.