Skip to main content
Log in

Mass production of Spirulina, an edible microalga

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Spirulina (Arthrospira) is a filamentous cyanobacterium that is grown commercially for food and feed and as a food coloring and additive. Currently there are many companies producing Spirulina in different countries to the tune of 3000 tons a year. This paper attempts to describe the problems of mass culture of Spirulina, deriving information from two commercial facilities: Siam Algae Company (Thailand) and Earthrise Farms (U.S.A.).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Belay, A., 1997. Mass culture of Spirulina outdoor-The earthrise farms experience. In Vonshak, A. (ed.), Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira), Physiology, Cell-biology and Biotechnology. Taylor & Francis, New York: 131–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belay, A., Y. Ota, K. Miyakawa & H. Shimamatsu, 1994. Production of high quality Spirulina at Earthrise Farms. In Phang, S. W., Y. K. Lee, M. A. Borowitzka & B. A. Whitton (eds), Algal Biotechnology in the Asia Pacific Region. University of Malaya. Kuala Lumpur: 92–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmichael, W., 1994. The toxins of cyanobacteria. Scientific American 279: 78–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciferi, O., 1983. Spirulina, the edible microorganism. Microbiol. Rev. 47: 551–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciferi, O. & O. Tiboni, 1985. The biochemistry and industrial potential of Spirulina. Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 39: 503–526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durand-Chastel, H., 1980. Production and use of Spirulina in Mexico. In Shelef, G. & C. J. Soeder (eds), Algal Biomass. Elsevier/North-Holland Biochemical Press, Amsterdam: 39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonard, J. & P. Compere, 1967. Spirulina platensis Geitler, algue bleue de grande valeur alimentaire par sa richesse en proteines, Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg. 37: 1.

  • Richmond, A., 1988. Spirulina. Microalgal Biotechnology. Cambridge University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richmond, A., E. Lichtenberg, B. Stahl & A. Vonshak, 1990. Quantitative assessment of the major limitations on productivity of Spirulina platensis in open raceways. J. Appl. Phycol. 2: 195–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimamatsu, H., 1987. A pond for edible Spirulina production and its hydraulic studies. Hydrobiologia 151/152: 83–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vonshak, A. & A. Richmond, 1988. Mass production of the bluegreen alga Spirulina: an overview. Biomass 15: 233–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vonshak, A., R. Guy & M. Guy, 1988. Photoinhibition and its recovery in two different strains of Spirulina. Pl. Cell Physiol. 29: 721–726.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shimamatsu, H. Mass production of Spirulina, an edible microalga. Hydrobiologia 512, 39–44 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000020364.23796.04

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000020364.23796.04

Navigation