EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT GOAT URINE CONCENTRATIONS IN THE CULTURE MEDIUMS ON GROWTH RATE OF spirulina (arthrospira platensis).

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.