Abstract
Ultrasonic waves of high frequency (1.7 MHz) and low intensity (0.6 W cm−2) were employed to prevent cyanobacterial cells from growing fast and the effects of this growth inhibition were investigated. At least five minutes of ultrasonic irradiation was essential for effective inhibition. The growth rate of irradiated cells was reduced to 38.9% of the control during short-term culture. Longer exposure did not significantly enhance the inhibition. For a particular level of energy input, distributed ultrasonic exposure (more short intermittent exposures) was more effective in inhibiting growth than fewer, but longer exposures. For instance, the final biomass decreased to 30.1% of the control after ultrasonic irradiation for 4 minutes every 3 days, whereas it only decreased to 60% of the control with exposure for 12 minutes every 11 days. It is suggested that distributed ultrasonic irradiation is a practical method to prevent cyanobacterial cells from fast growth. A possible explanation for the inhibition is discussed in relation to cell structure, the absorption spectrum of intact cells, chlorophyll level and oxygen evolution.
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Tang, J., Wu, Q., Hao, H. et al. Growth inhibition of the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis by 1.7 MHz ultrasonic irradiation. Journal of Applied Phycology 15, 37–43 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022946807082
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022946807082