The C-phycocyanin generated in blue-green algae Arthrospira platensis is gaining commercial interest due
to its nutrition and healthcare value. In this study, the light intensity and initial biomass concentration
were manipulated to improve cell growth and C-phycocyanin production of A. platensis in batch
cultivation. The results show that low light intensity and high initial biomass concentration led to
increased C-phycocyanin accumulation. The best C-phycocyanin productivity occurred when light inten-
sity and initial biomass concentration were 300 lmol/m2
/s and 0.24 g/L, respectively. The fed-batch
cultivation proved to be an effective strategy to further enhance C-phycocyanin production of A. platensis.
The results indicate that C-phycocyanin accumulation not only requires nitrogen-sufficient condition, but
also needs other nutrients. The highest C-phycocyanin content (16.1%), production (1034 mg/L) and pro-
ductivity (94.8 mg/L/d) were obtained when using fed-batch strategy with 5 mM medium feeding.
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