pH, Photo, and Aeration Period Effects on Arthrospira maxima Growth: Taguchi Technique

In this study, biomass dry weight [DW (0.912 g/L)] was markedly enhanced at pH of 10 for 24 h of aeration. The maximum production of protein (14.239 mg/L) was obtained at the highest photoperiod. The highest content of PC and APC (0.129 and 0.099 mg/L, respectively) was recorded at pH of 10 for 24 h of aeration. The highest content of total chlorophyll (Ca and Cb) and carotenoids (K) (6.436, 3.421, and 2.856 mg/L) was recorded at pH of 9. The content of photosynthesis pigments (Ca, Cb, and K) was reduced by increasing pH from 9 to 10, while the high alkaline pH (10) may favor the over-production of biomass, protein, phycobiliprotein pigments (PC and APC). Moreover,  A. maxima increased the accumulation of photosynthesis pigment under strong illumination and decreased the accumulation of phycobiliprotein pigments by increasing the light irradiance time from 12 to 24 h.