Author(s): Md. Asmaul Rizal, Fahamida Yeasmin, Md. Amzad Hossain, Taslima Akter and Md. Mahbubur Rahman

Abstract: Spirulina platensis is an cyanobacteria, which is an important feed additives for human, animal and fishes. The major purpose of the present study was to optimize the production of S. platensis with lowering the production cost by using urea as a source of nitrogen. An experiment was conducted for 18 days to evaluate the growth performance of S. platensis with the aim of replacing sodium nitrate in kosaric medium with urea. Kosaric medium was taken as a standard culture medium in treatment T₁. In treatments T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ sodium nitrate-nitrogen in kosaric medium was replaced with urea-nitrogen at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, respectively. The mean values of temperature and pH in different treatments ranged from 29.10±0.10 ºC to 31.90±0.12 ºC and 9.10±0.40 to 9.35±0.32, respectively. The values of light intensity ranged from 2220 lux/m²/s to 2295 lux/m²/s. All the parameters were within a suitable range of S. platensis culture. Maximum optical density, cell dry weight and chlorophyll a was observed in treatment 3, where 50% sodium nitrate-nitrogen in kosaric medium was replaced by urea-nitrogen. This indicated that supply of nitrogen both from sodium nitrate and urea was better for S. platensis culture. Further addition of urea decreases the growth of S. platensis. Therefore, 50% of sodium nitrate-nitrogen in Kosaric medium can be replaced by urea-nitrogen, which will reduce the culture cost of S. platensis.

Pages: 403-408  |  1437 Views  155 Downloads

Download Full Article: Click Here