Different salinity effects on the mass cultivation of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) using urea as nitrogen source in Oman and Malaysia

Mother earth is facing multitude of problems such as desertification, diminishing cultivation land and malnutrition. One way to overcome these problems is through cultivation of Spirulina (A. platensis). This paper focused on the different effects of salinity and comparative climate patterns to the mass production of A. platensis in Oman and in Malaysia. With extremely contrasting environment, A. platensis has unique ability to grow in both tropical (Malaysia) and arid (Oman) outdoor conditions. Mass cultivation has been carried out at different salinity 5, 15, 25 and 35 ppt for 10 days with triplicates in both countries. The total volume of culture in each tank and land photobioreactor was maintained at 100 L and 50L respectively. In Oman, the highest optical density (ABS) was 1.691 ± 0.099 at 5 ppt significantly different and higher than 25 and 35 ppt (p < 0.05). Though, the highest biomass (g L -1) achieved with 35ppt, 0.848 ± 0.039 was not significantly different from other salinity concentration (p > 0.05). While in Malaysia, the highest optical density (ABS) recorded with Spirulina dry weight was collected from Spirulina culture treatment with 5 ppt, 0.974 ± 0.052 was not significantly different from other salinity treatments (p > 0.05) and the dry weight at 0.575 ± 0.032 g L -1 was significantly different to 25 and 35 ppt (p < 0.05). Highest average mean ± SE of pH in Oman and Malaysia were recorded with salinity treatment of 15 ppt, 10.60 ± 0.058 and 10.20 ± 0.037.

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