Effect of Culture Medium, Temperature and pH on the Performance of Spirulina Platensis Microalgae in Vertical Photobioreactor

The current study quantified the effects of culture media and environmental factors (temperature and pH) on factors in the production of microalgae Spirulina platensis by photobioreactor. The culture of microalgae was done separately in Walne, BBM, and Jordan media. Temperature, pH, and light intensity (5000 lux for all stages and 16 hours per day) were applied in each culture medium separately. Cell density, biomass, lipid percentage, chlorophyll a, and carotenoids were measured for all treatments. The differences in parameter's effects were assessed by SPSS software. The results showed a significant difference at 1% in cell density, biomass, chlorophyll, carotenoid, and lipid content in the Walne, BBM, and Jordan culture medium at pH (8±0.5&10±0.5) and temperature (25 & 30 °C), respectively. Average data revealed that  the highest cell density, amount of chlorophyll a, the number of carotenoids were found in  M1T1P1 treatment (Walne culture medium at 25 ◦C and PH=8±0.5), and the lowest amount was found in  M2T2P2 treatment (BBM culture medium at 30 °C and PH10±0.5). In terms of biomass, the highest levels were obtained in M3T1P1 treatment (Jordan culture medium at 25 °C and PH=8±0.5). Conclusions showed that Walne medium culture at pH=9 and temp 25 °C was suitable for microalgae of Spirulina. But from the point of the cost of culture medium, Jordan culture medium seemed to be more economical.The results showed that there was a significant difference at 1% in cell density, biomass, chlorophyll, carotenoid, and lipid content in the walne, BBM, and Jordan culture medium at pH (8±0.5&10±0.5) and temperature (25 & 30 °C), respectively. According to the results of comparing the average data, the highest cell density, chlorophyll a, the number of carotenoids related to M1T1P1 treatment (walne culture medium with 25 ◦C and PH8±0.5), and the lowest amount related to M2T2P2 treatment (BBM culture medium with 30 °C and PH10±0.5 (In terms of biomass, the highest levels were obtained with M3T1P1 treatment (Jordan culture medium at 25 °C and PH8±0.5). The present study, with a scientific criterion, showed that Walne medium culture with PH9 and temp 25 °C was suitable for microalgae of Spirulina. But due to the cost of culture medium, Jordan culture medium is more economical.