Protocol optimization for enhanced production of pigments inSpirulina.
Spirulinahas attracted special attention due to its importance as human foodstuff and natural colours with specific functional properties. These functional properties have been attributed to phycobilins, carotenoids, phenolics and unsaturated fatty acids. Present study was conducted under controlled phytotron conditions to identify the efficient strains ofSpirulinain terms of pigment synthesis and to optimize their enhanced production. Methodology for enhanced production was standardized by varying specific environmental parameters (light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, pH and NaCl level). Different strains ofSpirulinadepicted variability and environmental parameters showed distinct influence on pigments. Growth and pigment production was recorded to be most efficient under optimized conditions of light intensity (70 μmol m-2s-1), temperature (30 °C), CO2concentration (550 ppm and 750 ppm), pH (10.5) and NaCl level (2 g L-1).
Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India.
Devendra
D
Kumar
Department of Microbiology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India.
Neeraj
N
Kumar
Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India.
Sunil
S
Pabbi
Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.
Suresh
S
Walia
Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 India.
Dolly Wattal
DW
Dhar
Mass production; Pigments; Spirulina