Effect of Carbonate on Cultivation of Microalgae Spirulina platensis on Growth Rate, Protein Content, and Phycobiliprotein Pigments. Kumara Dimas Setiawan(a)
a) Faculty of Science and Computers, Department of Chemistry, Pertamina University, Jalan Teuku Nyak Arief, RT.7/RW.8, Simprug, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta DKI Jakarta, 12220
b) Pertamina Research, Technology, and Innovation, Jalan Raya Bekasi No.20, RT.1/RW.2 Terate, Cakung, East Jakarta, DKI Jakarta 13920
*kumaradimas1[at]gmail.com
Abstract
Spirulina platensis is a blue green microalga that produces protein as a food source which mainly contains blue pigment phycocyanin as natural food coloring. The use of Spirulina platensis in food industry is known increasing from year to year. This study aimed to analyze the effect of carbonate on the strain^s growth rate, protein content, and phycobiliprotein pigments in microalgae Spirulina platensis cultivated on BG-11 and Zarrouk^s media. The results of this study indicated that variations in the content of carbonate concentrations in BG-11 and Zarrouk^s media greatly affect the growth rate, protein content, and phycobiliprotein pigments. From the results, it was showed that the strain cultivation on control BG-11 media and Zarrouk^s modified NaHCO3 50% deficient has the highest growth rate compared to the other variations. This shows that the addition of NaHCO3 and nutrient content greatly affect the rate of cell growth. From the protein analysis, it was showed that the highest protein content was in Zarrouk^s medium modified NaHCO3 50% deficient at 1.92 mg ml-1. The results of the analysis of the highest phycobiliprotein pigment in BG-11 NaHCO3 media 2.5 g L-1 with phycocyanin levels of 0.73 mg ml-1, allophycocyanin levels of 0.83 mg ml-1 and phycoerythrin of 0.31 mg ml-1. With the presence of nitrogen concentration in the media, it can increase the production of protein and phycobiliprotein pigments from Spirulina platensis.
