Spirulina Optimization Using Cane Molasses as the Cost-Effective Alternative of Sodium Bicarbonate

Abstract: Spirulina platensis is a cyanobacterium well known for its use as a feed and food supplement with recognized nutritional and cosmetic values. Spirulina was cultivated in media containing up to zero g L^–1 sodium bicarbonate using sugar cane molasses (SCM) as a source of bicarbonate. The standard culture media used for Spirulina production is Zarrouk medium with a high content of bicarbonate, often supplied as NaHCO₃. The present work proposes the use of SCM to supplement the Spirulina culture medium, with the intention that the CO₂ derived from bacterial fermentation—from the high concentration of sugars that it contains—will produce a sufficient amount of bicarbonate. The results obtained show there is no significant effect on the protein, chlorophyll a, and phycocyanin when using molasses but significant effect growth biomass. Biomass cultivation was successful by molasses, recommended that this industrial byproduct can be used as cost-effective for Spirulina cultivation.