Comparison of Coliform in Powder and Fresh Spirulina, Arthrospira platensis

Spirulina platensis microalgae have many applications for human and animal as food and drug because it has more essential nutrition than other microalgae. It is a microscopic filamentous alga that is rich in proteins، vitamins، essential amino acids، minerals and essential fatty acids like y-linolenic acid (GLA). It is produced commercially and sold as a food supplement in health food stores around the world. In this research mass culture of spirulina has been done in 30 °C by Jourdan medium in green house، when spirulina arrived to maximum growth; it has been harvested by Micronics net and dried in room temperature. Dried spirulina have been kept in refrigerated until microbial analysis. In next phase، fresh spirulina and spirulina powder have been cultured on blood agar media according to the standard method. Then total coliform has been counted in both samples. According to standard documents these spirulina is not good for human but we could use them for poultry and fish food.