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Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) Increases Growth, Protein and Photosynthetic Pigments Production and Alters Carbohydrate Production of Spirulina platensis

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Abstract

Improving the biochemical status of Spirulina platensis will enhance the functional properties of this microalgae. The present study investigated the effects of adding NaHCO3 to the culture medium on the growth rate and biochemical composition, particularly the coproduction of proteins, carbohydrates, and photosynthetic pigments of S. platensis. Spirulina platensis was grown in different NaHCO3 concentrations (0–16 g L−1). NaHCO3 positively affected the biomass production. The growth of S. platensis and biochemical compound content increased with an increase in the NaHCO3 concentration. The microalgae biomass grown on NaHCO3 also contained higher amounts of protein (64.20 ± 4.18% w w−1) and photosynthetic pigments (phycocyanin and chlorophyll a, b, and total). Protein productivity was especially enhanced by approximately 6–25% (from 0.006 ± 0.0030 to 0.025 ± 0.0031 mg L−1 day−1) with the addition of NaHCO3 compared to the control. In contrast, the content of carbohydrates and antioxidant compounds (phenolic, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase activities) decreased with culture age and an increase in the NaHCO3 concentration. These results suggest that S. platensis uses NaHCO3 as a carbon source for photosynthesis, biomass production, and acts as a metabolic energy carrier toward the synthesis of proteins and photosynthetic pigments, which are more energy-consuming metabolites than carbohydrates. The addition of NaHCO3 to the culture media is a potentially useful strategy toward improving the protein and photosynthetic pigment productivity of S. platensis.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the SAGRIC Common Initiative Group (CIG) Farm, Douala-Cameroon for provided us with the Spirulina platensis Strain.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or nonprofit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon

    Pierre Fils Rodrigue Magwell, Kennedy Tchoffo Djoudjeu, Emile Minyaka, Marie-Frédéric Tavea, Romeo Fobasso Tagnikeu & Apollin Medueghue Fofou

  2. Laboratory of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

    Oscar Wamba Fotsop

  3. Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Nko’olong Station, Kribi, Cameroon

    Pierre Fils Rodrigue Magwell

  4. Laboratory of Computer and Automatic Engineering, ENSET, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

    Chedom Kom Vinnie Darelle

  5. CARBAP-African Center for Research on Bananas and Plantains, Njombe, Cameroon

    Camille Ulrich Dzokouo Dzoyem

  6. Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Multipurpose Station of Njombe, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Camille Ulrich Dzokouo Dzoyem

  7. Laboratory of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

    Léopold Gustave Lehman

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Contributions

Conceptualization and design: PFRM, DKT, EM, MFT, OWF, GLL Material, preparation, data collection, and analysis: PFRM, DKT, EM, MFT, OWF, CUDD, RFT, AMF, CKVD. Writing—original draft preparation: PFRM, DKT, CUDD, EM, MFT, OWF. Edited, reviewed manuscript and provided with critical input and corrections: PFRM, EM, MFT, OWF, GLL. Supervision: EM, MFT and GLL. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Emile Minyaka.

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Magwell, P.F.R., Djoudjeu, K.T., Minyaka, E. et al. Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) Increases Growth, Protein and Photosynthetic Pigments Production and Alters Carbohydrate Production of Spirulina platensis. Curr Microbiol 80, 63 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-022-03165-0

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