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From Laboratory to Production: Innovating the Small-scale Mass Production of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) with an Alternative Culture Medium and Refined Culture Conditions

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Abstract

This study reports information on the small-scale mass production of spirulina utilizing low cost and locally available media under refined culture conditions in northern Mindanao, Philippines. A low-cost alternative culture medium was formulated using NPK 30-10-10 fertilizer as the main nutrient source, after which the optimum nutrient levels were first determined, followed by refinement of the culture conditions (i.e., salinity, aeration intensity, photoperiod, inoculum density, and inoculum growth phase). Furthermore, the proximate composition of the product, spirulina powder, was determined, and a cost-return analysis was performed. The optimum level for the NPK 30-10-10 fertilizer was found to be 1.0 mM N, which resulted in the highest biomass production of 0.750 ± 0.06 g L−1. The highest biomass and best growth indices were observed at 30 ppt salinity, 90 L h−1 aeration intensity, 24:0 L:D photoperiod, and 1.5 g L−1 inoculum density in the exponential phase. The spirulina powder produced was of good quality based on its proximate composition, with 62.87 ± 1.38% crude protein, 6.62 ± 0.05% minerals, 0.38 ± 0.01% crude fat, 3.91 ± 0.47% crude fiber, 14.84 ± 1.76% carbohydrate, 11.38 ± 0.02% moisture, and 314.24 ± 2.04 kcal 100 g−1 total digestible energy. The cost-return analysis showed that small-scale production is profitable, with a 65.22% return on investment and a payback period of 1.82 years. This small-scale production technology of spirulina can be adapted by local companies and cooperatives to spur local spirulina production in the country.

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Acknowledgements

This work was part of the research project entitled “Production of Spirulina Biomass: Refinement of Grow-out Production Technology and Piloting in Northern Mindanao” funded by the local grants-in-aid program of the Department of Science and Technology-Regional Office X. Moreover, the support of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., through its OROBEST Innovation Program, is highly appreciated. Furthermore, the authors sincerely thank the Reviewers for taking the time and effort necessary to review the manuscript. We sincerely appreciate all valuable comments and suggestions, which helped us to improve the quality of the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Fisheries Science, School of Marine Fisheries and Technology, Mindanao State University at Naawan, 9023, Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

    Kaent Immanuel N. Uba

  2. Institute of Fisheries Research and Development, Research Division, Mindanao State University at Naawan, 9023, Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

    Gaireen D. Gaid, John Mark L. Perales, Flordeliz C. Bongga & Ruth D. Gaid

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  1. Kaent Immanuel N. Uba
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Contributions

KINU made substantial contributions to the concept and design of all the experiments; the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of the data; the writing of the final manuscript; and the direction of the research. GDG, JMLP, and FCB made substantial contributions to the concept and design of all the experiments as well as to the data acquisition and analysis. RDG contributed substantially to the concept, design, and finalization of the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kaent Immanuel N. Uba.

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Uba, K.I.N., Gaid, G.D., Perales, J.M.L. et al. From Laboratory to Production: Innovating the Small-scale Mass Production of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) with an Alternative Culture Medium and Refined Culture Conditions. Agric Res (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-024-00709-7

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