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Effect of dilution rate in continuous cultures of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis C1 on nutrient use efficiency and macromolecular- and elemental compositions

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Abstract

Arthrospira (Spirulina) has potential applications as food supplements, feeds, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels; but its production process is inefficient. To maximise biomass production and nutrient use efficiency of Arthrospira, steady-state data from continuous cultures provides a unique means of productivity optimisation. In this study we cultivated the cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis C1 in a helical tubular photobioreactor initially in batch cultures, by independently investigating pH control, light intensity, and temperature, to optimise specific growth rate (μ) and biomass productivity. Optimal growth was achieved at 200 μmol photons m−2 s−1, 35 °C, and without pH control. Arthrospira was then grown in continuous culture at four different dilution rates (D: 0.0087, 0.0173, 0.0287, and 0.0324 h−1). Macromolecular and elemental compositions of biomass were determined, and both nutrient consumption rates and biomass yields at each D were calculated. Protein composition of the biomass was found to be highest (62.21%) at the lowest D, while the compositions of lipid, RNA, and DNA increased with the increasing D. Results from the continuous culture experiments also suggested that nutrient utilisation was best at lowest D, but cells grown at intermediate D had the greatest biomass yields and highest biomass productivity. Nutrient use efficiency analysis confirmed that cells converted nutrients into biomass most efficiently when cultivated at intermediate D. Results from the continuous culture experiments provide much-needed fine-tuned growth and productivity optimisation of Arthrospira cultures and may be used for a refinement of a genome-scale metabolic model of Arthrospira and flux balance analysis research in the future.

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All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article (and its Online Resource files).

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Algal Biotechnology Laboratory and the Fungal Biotechnology Laboratory at KMUTT and all of their members for the technical and facility supports throughout the study. Special thanks go to Cristian Guajardo Yévenes for helping with the data presentation, William Mace and Ben Long for English language editing and useful suggestions, and Chachapon Huangmit for all the helps in the lab.

Funding

This work was supported by grants; P-10-10024, from the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), NSTDA, Thailand; and the research subsidy fund of fiscal year 2010–2011 from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemical Engineering and Systems Biology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand

    Chiraphan Khannapho, Kalyanee Paithoonrangsarid & Apiradee Hongsthong

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand

    Atchara Phodee & Asawin Meechai

  3. Division of Biotechnology, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand

    Supapon Cheevadhanarak

  4. King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand

    Morakot Tanticharoen

Authors
  1. Chiraphan Khannapho
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  2. Atchara Phodee
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  3. Kalyanee Paithoonrangsarid
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  4. Apiradee Hongsthong
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  5. Asawin Meechai
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Contributions

Chiraphan Khannapho, Apiradee Hongsthong, Kalyanee Paithoonrangsarid, Asawin Meechai, Supapon Cheevadhanarak, and Morakot Tanticharoen contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Chiraphan Khannapho, Atchara Phodee, and Kalyanee Paithoonrangsarid. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Chiraphan Khannapho, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Chiraphan Khannapho.

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Supplementary information

Online Resource 1

Batch and continuous culture experiments raw data and figures (XLSX 613 kb)

Online Resource 2

Macromolecular composition analysis of A. platensis C1 biomass grown at different dilution rates (D) (XLSX 33 kb)

Online Resource 3

Elemental composition determination of A. platensis C1 biomass grown at different dilution rates (D) and biomass formulae calculation (XLSX 16 kb)

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Khannapho, C., Phodee, A., Paithoonrangsarid, K. et al. Effect of dilution rate in continuous cultures of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis C1 on nutrient use efficiency and macromolecular- and elemental compositions. J Appl Phycol 33, 743–754 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-020-02339-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-020-02339-2

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