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Aims: The increasing development of microalgae applications has led to the concentration of new multidisciplinary studies to facilitate commercial cultivation of these organisms due to cost reduction and productivity enhancement. The aim of this study was the growth and quality optimization of Spirulina biomass by changing the dilution of medium and using the aeration cycle.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the effect of concentration of Zarrouk medium (0 to 100% dilution) and aeration cycle on specific growth rate and dry weight, as well as the content of chlorophyll and carotenoids of Spirulina were investigated, using response surface method, central design. A total duration of 16 hours was aerated in any 24-hour period; the interval time between these aerated periods varied between 1 to 8 hours. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software, using multiple regression test.
Findings: The highest biomass (0.659mg/ml) was obtained at 80% concentration of culture media and aeration cycle of 2.75 hours and the highest specific growth rate (0.230 daily) was obtained at 60% concentration and aeration cycle of 4.5 hours. The highest aeration cycle (8 hours) resulted in a significant and simultaneous increase in the content of chlorophyll and carotenoids (11.65 and 2.67 mg/g, respectively).
Conclusion: The growth and quality optimization of Spirulina biomass can be accomplished by changing the dilution of the medium and using the aeration cycle.