Brazil produces approximately 18,000,000 tons of molasses per year, containing 50% of sugars. This country needs more food help for the malnourishment disease. Spirulina platensis is a microalga that contains up to 74% proteins. It grows photoautotrophically, but the medium complementation with organic carbon may stimulate its growth. S. platensis was grown autotrophically and mixotrofically with 0.25; 0.50; 0.75 and 1.00 g.L-1 of powder molasses (MEP) or liquid molasses (MEL). Cultures with MEL or MEP have grown for more long time (minimum 35 days) and have reached higher biomass concentration and productivity than autotrophic one, that grew during 30 days. Cultures with MEP 0.25 g.L-1 have reached biomass concentration of 2.59 g.L-1 and productivity of 0.066 g.L-1.day-1. Maximum biomass concentration (2.83 g.L-1) and productivity (0.098 g.L-1.day-1-) were reached in cultures with MEL 0.50 g.L-1. Autotrophic cultures reached 1.44 g.L-1 and 0.045 g.L-1.day-1. Results showed that the Brazilian potential of molasses production may be also exploited to obtain higher biomass concentration in the culture of microalga Spirulina platensis.
Cyanobacteria; mixotrophic culture; molasses
