Evaluation of the effects of immobilization on Spirulina platensis cultures

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Different studies are carried out to reduce the production costs of Spirulina platensis biomass, which is produced in liquid cultures and has a high commercial value. These studies are in the direction of determining the optimum production method by changing the nutrient medium content and culture conditions. Immobilization is a method that changes the culture conditions. In our study, Luffa cylindrica (luffa), a natural fiber, was used for the immobilization of S. platensis cells, and the growth parameters and pigment production of the cultures were investigated. In two-factor experiments, week (first and second weeks) and culture type (free and immobilized cultures), statistically significant week*culture type interactions were found in optical density, dry weight, pH, and chlorophyll-a content. Immobilization did not increase the optical density and biomass production of the cultures. The highest optical densities and biomass productions were obtained in two-week-old free cultures, where the pH value was also found to be the highest. The highest values of chlorophyll-a and total carotene content were obtained from one-week immobilized cultures (30.06 µg/ml and 48.35 µg/ml, respectively). The fact that immobilization increased pigment production in one-week-old cultures indicates that when pigment production is targeted in S. platensis cultures, two-stage cultures that increase pigment yield via one-week immobilization after biomass production is completed can be used.