Biomass and phycocyanin production from microalgae Spirulina platensis using POME slurry waste

Abstract

Microalgae cultivation medium was an important component which is related to the economic aspects and its effects on cell life in culture. Synthetic medium was widely used but because of its less economical, its necessary to look for alternative substitute medium. This alternative substitute medium could come from industrial and household waste. Some organic medium for microalgae cultivation of Spirulina platensis have been widely studied. One source of organic waste from other industries is derived from oil palm such as POME (Palm Oil Mill Effluent) Slurry waste. Spirulina platensis known as one of microalgae which have high protein component on biomass and phycocyanin as biopigment. Biomass and pigment production is influenced by the medium and photoperiod. The research objective was to determine the influence of medium (Walne as synthetic medium and Slurry POME as organic medium) and photoperiod culture to productivity of biomass and phycocyanin. Result of this research is POME Slurry medium has a fairly good ability and could competes with Walne for the production of biomass and phycocyanin so that it can be used as an alternative medium.