FORMULATION OF COST EFFECTIVE RICE MILL EFFLUENT MEDIUM FOR THE MASS PRODUCTION OF SINGLE CELL PROTEIN (SCP)

Spirulina is a photosynthetic, filamentous, non differentiated, multicellular blue green microalga that grows naturally in warm climate. The microalgae Spirulina is a source of protein, which is used as a protein supplement for humans, chicks and also in aquaculture. Spirulina platensis culture was isolated from two different locations namely Puducherry and Thiruvannamalai and designated as S3 and S4. The growth of S3 and S4 strains was estimated in Zarrouk's medium under laboratory condition. Various parameters like optical density, cell population and biomass was estimated. The effect of temperature and pH was determined for these strains S3 and S4 and highest biomass was observed at 30°C of pH 9.5. A new rice mill effluent (RME) medium was formulated for mass production of Spirulina by supplemented with various nutrients (NaNO3, KNO3, K2HPO4 and KH2PO4) and other cost-effective chemicals. This newly formulated RME medium generates valuable growth of Spirulina platensis. It is locally available, eco-friendly and cost effective medium.