Design Criteria for Mass Culturing Spirulina Algae

by William M. Strachan, R. D. Zande & Associates Ltd, Columbus, OH, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Forum '86: World Water Issues in Evolution

Abstract:

One extract of Spirulina, developed by Dr. Christopher Hills has been used as a nutrient for cell cultures and contains a growth factor called Spirulina Growth Factor. Another extract of 17 of Spirulina's carotenoids has recently been investigated by Harvard University for the regression of cancer tumors. A major expansion of the sales of this nutritious microalgae in the commercial marketplace occurred in 1981 when 50 million was sold in the U. S. and 10 million was sold in Japan. A major portion of world production then came from Lake Texcoco in Mexico where fertilizer is added to enhance the growth of the indigenous Spirulina. The development of production in man-made ponds has been necessary to meet the exponential demand for high grade Spirulina products for human consumption. Numerous experiments have been conducted using wastewater as a nutrient source for animal grade Spirulina but so far no production facilities for this purpose have been constructed.

Subject Headings: Wastewater management | Vegetation | Diseases | Water reclamation | Waste management | Regression analysis | Recycling | Japan | Asia | Mexico

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