Influence of aeration and lighting on biomass production and protein biosynthesis in a Spirulina sp. isolated from an oil-polluted brackish water marsh in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

The influence aeration and light intensity could have on biomass production and protein biosynthesis in a Spirulina sp. isolated from an oil-polluted brackish water marsh is examined. Biomass, proximal composition and amino acid composition obtained from aerated cultures of the organism were compared with non-aerated cultures after a 35 days incubation period. Cultures of the organism were also grown in ordinary sunlight, and artificial light intensities of ca.7.5 and 15 mEm-2 S -1. Results showed that both aeration and exposing the cultures of the organism to artificial illumination improved biomass production and protein biosynthesis in the Spirulina sp. compared to sunlight illuminated and non aerated cultures. These results would be useful in optimizing growth conditions for maximum biomass and protein yields from the organism

Optimization studies of biomass production and protein biosynthesis in a Spirulina sp. isolated from an oilpolluted flame pit in the Niger Delta

Using a modification of the Bangladesh 3 medium, dose response analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of certain parameters on biomass production and protein biosynthesis in a Spirulina sp.isolated from an oil-polluted flame pit. A set of conditions described as optimized was compared with another set of conditions described as normal. The optimized parameters include pH 9.0, temperature30oC, 0.30 mg/L SO4-2, 0.008 mg/L P043-, 2.0 g/L HC03-, 25 mg/L N032-, 1.0% Cl- and light intensity 15 ìEm-2s-1. Agitation was achieved through aeration using an aquarium pump to supply air at ca 150 bubbles min-1. Biomass and protein produced were significantly (P = 0.05) higher in the optimized than in thenormal condition; that is, biomass and protein produced in optimized condition were 22.7 and 25.8%, respectively, higher than those produced in normal growth condition. The total amino acidconcentration in optimized condition was 58.7% higher than in normal conditions. These results show  that cultivating the Spirulina species at these optimized environmental conditions could significantlyimprove biomass yield and protein synthesis in the organism