Selection of Arthrospira platensis strains with productivity in brackish water with high boron levels for commercial production in the Lluta Valley

• Published in: Electronic Journal of Biotechnology 2014-07, Vol.15 (5)
• Main Authors: Oxa, Patricio, Bastías, Elizabeth, Uribe, Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: boron; brackish water; growth medium; microalgae; Spirulina (Arthrospira)
• ISSN: 0717-3458; 0717-3458

Abstract Adaptation and selection of Arthrospira platensis strains, for cultivation in brackish water with excess boron (B) in the Lluta Valley can become an interesting alternative that would allow to extend these cultures to areas that possess the environmental conditions, but that lack the fresh water needed to do it. Strains TX98 and P88 were evaluated in laboratory conditions with three different media of brackish water and with the white medium, the Zarrouk modified medium (MZM). The growing media with brackish water with a B concentration present in the Lluta River of 20 mgL-1 (B20) and medium with 30 mgL-1 (B30), and 10 mg L-1 of B (B10). The effect of the different media on the growing parameters with a culture temperature of 25 ± 1ºC in the three treatments, strains TX98 and P88 triplicate, Arthrospira platensis, showed tolerance. It was statistically determined that in the growth, the two strains, the three treatments and in the interrelation of both there were significant differences (p < 0.05). The TX98 strain reached a concentration of 1.139 g L-1 (dry weight) in brackish water with medium B20. Therefore, the highest rate of specific growth (μmax) was obtained with the TX98 strain grown in the brackish medium B30 and the lowest duplication time (0.597 days). Cells grown in brackish water with B had a slightly biochemically modified composition with the white, in relation to the protein content, in the cases in which there are differences in the B content, specifically B30 treatment. For the culture with brackish water from the Lluta River, the TX98 strain is recommended with 10 mg of B using a laboratory to pilot scale.