Abstract
A diazotrophic cyanobacterium Nostochopsis lobatus was evaluated for enhanced production of biomass, pigments and antioxidant
capacity. N. lobatus showed potentially high antioxidant capacity (46.12 lM AEAC) with significant improvement under immobilized
cell cultures (87.05 lM AEAC). When a mixture of P and Fe was supplemented, biomass, pigments, nutritive value and antioxidant
capacity increased substantially at pH 7.8. When considered separately, P appeared to be a better supplement than Fe for the production
of biomass, chlorophyll and carotenoids. However, for phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, nutritive value and antioxidant capacity, Fe
appeared more effective than P. Our study indicates N. lobatus to be a promising bioresource for enhanced production of nutritionally
rich biomass, pigments and antioxidants. The study also suggests that P and Fe are potentially effective supplements for scale-up production
for commercial application.