The Growth, Biomass and Phycocyanin of Spirulina platensis Cultured with Liquid Organic (POC) and NPK Fertilizers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of NPK and liquid organic (POC) fertilizers on the growth, biomass, and phycocyanin of Spirulina platensis culture in a laboratory scale. The NPK fertilizer was carried out by giving 3 doses of 0.1 g/L, 0.2g/L, and 0.3 g/L and control. The POC Fertilizer was used in 3 doses of treatment of 10 mL/L, 15 mL/L, and 20 mL/L and control. The parameters observed for 8 days included growth rate, biomass, phycocyanin, and water quality parameters. The result showed the NPK fertilizer resulted in 80%, 70%, and 65% higher growth rates, biomass, and phycocyanin, respectively, than POC fertilizer. The application of NPK at a dose of 0.3 g/L gave the best treatment which resulted in a growth rate of 0.568 cells/day, biomass of 1.395 g/L and a phycocyanin content of 0.148 mg/L. The best treatment using POC was at a concentration of 20 mL/L which resulted in a growth rate of 0.459 cells/day, a biomass of 0.979 g/L, and a phycocyanin content of 0.097 mg/L. The culture with POC obtained a lower result than the NPK because the organic fertilizer requires a longer decomposition process to be utilized by Spirulina platensis.