Cultivation of arthrospira (spirulina) platensis by fed-batch process

Abstract

This chapter comments on fed-batch cultivation of Arthrospira platensis under different carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, temperature, light intensity, type of photobioreactor and typical parameters of the fed-batch process, such as feeding time, addition protocol and flow rate. Inexpensive nitrogen sources, such as urea, ammonium salts and nitrogen-rich wastewaters can be used for A. platensis cultivation, with results that can be comparable to those with classical nitrate sources. Closed photobioreactors are useful for preventing ammonia loss. The use of organic carbon sources needs to be carried out under aseptic conditions, and it is necessary to evaluate the best supplying conditions when using fed-batch process. The addition of CO2 ensures the control of pH and, at the same time, supply of the carbon source into the culture medium. The fed-batch process can be useful for the production of A. platensis using CO2 from industrial plants, particularly from industrial alcoholic fermentation.