Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) Increases Growth, Protein and Photosynthetic Pigments Production and Alters Carbohydrate Production of Spirulina platensis

• Published in: Current microbiology 2023-02, Vol.80 (2), p.63-63, Article 63
• Main Authors: Magwell, Pierre Fils Rodrigue, Djoudjeu, Kennedy Tchoffo, Minyaka, Emile, Tavea, Marie-Frédéric, Fotsop, Oscar Wamba, Tagnikeu, Romeo Fobasso, Fofou, Apollin Medueghue, Darelle, Chedom Kom Vinnie, Dzoyem, Camille Ulrich Dzokouo, Lehman, Léopold Gustave
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Aquatic microorganisms; Biochemical composition; Biochemistry; Biomass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Carbohydrates; Carbon sources; Chlorophyll; Chlorophyll A - metabolism; Chlorophyll A - pharmacology; Culture media; Culture Media - metabolism; Cyanobacteria; Energy metabolism; Growth rate; Life Sciences; Metabolites; Microalgae; Microbiology; Peroxidase; Phenolic compounds; Phenols; Photosynthesis; Photosynthetic pigments; Phycocyanin; Pigments; Polyphenol oxidase; Productivity; Protein synthesis; Proteins; Sodium bicarbonate; Sodium Bicarbonate - metabolism; Sodium Bicarbonate - pharmacology; Spirulina; Spirulina platensis
• ISSN: 0343-8651; 1432-0991
• DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03165-0

Improving the biochemical status of Spirulina platensis will enhance the functional properties of this microalgae. The present study investigated the effects of adding NaHCO 3 to the culture medium on the growth rate and biochemical composition, particularly the coproduction of proteins, carbohydrates, and photosynthetic pigments of S. platensis . Spirulina platensis was grown in different NaHCO 3 concentrations (0–16 g L −1 ). NaHCO 3 positively affected the biomass production. The growth of S. platensis and biochemical compound content increased with an increase in the NaHCO 3 concentration. The microalgae biomass grown on NaHCO 3 also contained higher amounts of protein (64.20 ± 4.18% w w −1 ) and photosynthetic pigments (phycocyanin and chlorophyll a , b , and total). Protein productivity was especially enhanced by approximately 6–25% (from 0.006 ± 0.0030 to 0.025 ± 0.0031 mg L −1  day −1 ) with the addition of NaHCO 3 compared to the control. In contrast, the content of carbohydrates and antioxidant compounds (phenolic, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase activities) decreased with culture age and an increase in the NaHCO 3 concentration. These results suggest that S. platensis uses NaHCO 3 as a carbon source for photosynthesis, biomass production, and acts as a metabolic energy carrier toward the synthesis of proteins and photosynthetic pigments, which are more energy-consuming metabolites than carbohydrates. The addition of NaHCO 3 to the culture media is a potentially useful strategy toward improving the protein and photosynthetic pigment productivity of S. platensis .