Formulation of an Alternative Culture Medium for Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina) Based on “Tequesquite,” a Traditional Mineral Resource

摘要: Culture media formulation for Arthrospira maxima (formerly designated as Spirulina maxima) production is a constraining factor. Use of synthetic could be expensive because most the commercial strains require salinity conditions higher than 20 g/L. In this study, traditional, pre-Hispanic mineral resource, known “tequesquite,” was used base an alternative and low-cost culture medium. Tequesquite available from outcrop areas located in basin former Lake Texcoco, where A. thrived times. The effect on biomass different tequesquite-based formulations, varying N, P, HCO3−1, tested compared with results obtained Zarrouk's medium (ZM). Growth some formulations showed no significant differences ZM. Production bubble-column photobioreactor reached maximum X = 2570.4 mg/L dry weight, X = 2931.4 weight proposed tequesquite-medium has equivalent N P concentrations ZM, but only 50% NaHCO3, thus reducing medium's cost. addition, it avoids use seawater or NaCl to provide condition required adequate growth Arthrospira.