Biochemical Composition of Spirulina Biomass in Open-air System

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Biochemical Composition of Spirulina Biomass in Open-air System

Edis Koru* and Semra Cirik - E.Ü. Fisheries Faculty, Department of Aquaculture 35100, Bornova-Izmir.

Abstract

Blue-green algae Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira) have found worldwide interest as
photosynthetic planktonic organism suitable for mass production. It can be an alternative source
of protein for human food and feed purposes, with the possibility of obtaining other products like
pigments (caretenoids, phycocyanin and chlorophyll), vitamins and lipids. The biomass obtained
can be introduced directly in the diet and it can also be used in cases of malnutration. In this
work, Spirulina platensis has been adapted to Aegean region (Izmir/Turkey). Ponds surface
reaches 100 m2 and allows production from March to December in greenhouse. The biomass
obtained was analyzed in terms of their chemical composition and fatty acids. The results showed that protein (average 55.43%), carbonhidrates (average 23.0%), lipids (average 8.6%), ash (average 7.8%), and twelve fatty acids methyl esters were identificated. The dominant groups were the 16:0, 16:1ù7, 18:0, 18:1ù9, 18:1ù7, 18:2ù6, 18:3ù6. PUFA/SFA ratio finding 0.49.

Keywords: Microalgae; cyanobacteria; Spirulina; Spirulina composition; Turkey

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