Abstract:
The mass and small scale production of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis)is increasing locally
and globally due to its high-valued protein, essential amino acids, and vitamins, etc. with the
global demand of good protein and vitamin sources. This primitive blue green algae can be
used as a supplementary feed for human and other farmed organisms and as well as used as
a medicine. The main aim of this study was to produce a cost effective medium which can be
formulate within the farms that without high cost chemicals for small scale to medium scale production. This study was implemented to check whether the nutritional requirement of these blue
green algae could be substituted by treated Goat urine which was not done so far in Srilanka.
The cost effective medium contains treated goat urine (source of nitrogenous, non-nitrogenous
and carbon components), distilled water/ Chlorine free water, common backing soda (NaHCO3)
and vitamin B12. As the growth parameter, specific growth rates (µ1, µ2, µ3) were observed
for different goat urine concentrations. The algae were grown within indoor condition for 21
days at 27 ± 2°C, pH 9 ± 1, 3.5 k lux white illumination. Significant differences in the growth
parameters were obtained by two samples T-test for the different urine concentrations. The results revealed that S. platensis µ1 = 0.041*106
cells/day, µ 2 = –0.12 × 106
cells/day. (µ 1–
specific growth rate in 1% urine medium, µ2- specific growth rate in 10% urine medium) µ3–
the specific growth rate in 50% urine medium was 0. The mean cell concentrations in three
differently concentrated (1%, 10%, 50%) urine medium were respectively 20.1 ± 06.07 × 106
cells/ml, 7.09 ± 4.28 × 106
cells/ml and 0 cells/ml. According to the observation of this study
& the results of two samples T-test; the 1% treated urine medium is more suitable medium for
the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis and the more nitrogen concentration destroy the cells
within several hours (µ3 = 0). This medium can be used in livestock culture farms and the
cultured Spirulina can be used as a supplementary feed for their animals and fish.
