Monthly changes on chemical properties of edible cyanobacterium, Spirulina (Arthrospira) maxima biomass under serial batch conditions for quality standardization

Abstract

Blue-green alga, Spirulina are representative GRAS item as a bio-industrial biomass that can be consumed by humans in the world. Spirulina is used as dietary supplements not only in the form of a whole food but also in the form of tablet, flake and powder. In this study, S. maxima were cultured in the medium with 16 ton-scaled open raceway pond in KIOST Jeju Center to identify the stability and safety of chemical cell components according to the rules of Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) under serial batch conditions. From June to August 2016 (Lot#1&#8210 #3), three culture samples were harvested and analyzed using a tubular separator and AOAC methods. Total chlorophyll contents (standard >5.0 mg/g) were 13.21 mg/g (Lot #1), 12.96 mg/g (Lot #2) and 12.94 mg/g (Lot #3). The total pheophorbide contents (standard <1,000 mg/kg) were 248.99 mg/kg (Lot #1), 282.63 mg/kg (Lot #2) and 282.63 mg/kg (Lot #3). Heavy metals in the cultured cells were recorded zero or detected below in the MFDS standard guide. Protein content of 59.94%, carbohydrate content of 23.51%, lipid content of 4.16%, and ash content of 10.1% were contained in the cells. Harmful microorganisms and residual pesticides of the Spirulina powder were not detected. This study was strongly indicated that the cultivation methods and cultured S. maxima biomass had suitability for various bio-industrial applications.lake and powder. In this study, S. maxima were cultured in the medium with 16 ton-scaled open raceway pond in KIOST Jeju Center to identify the stability and safety of chemical cell components according to the rules of Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) under serial batch conditions. From June to August 2016 (Lot#1&#8210 #3), three culture samples were harvested and analyzed using a tubular separator and AOAC methods. Total chlorophyll contents (standard >5.0 mg/g) were 13.21 mg/g (Lot #1), 12.96 mg/g (Lot #2) and 12.94 mg/g (Lot #3). The total pheophorbide contents (standard <1,000 mg/kg) were 248.99 mg/kg (Lot #1), 282.63 mg/kg (Lot #2) and 282.63 mg/kg (Lot #3). Heavy metals in the cultured cells were recorded zero or detected below in the MFDS standard guide. Protein content of 59.94%, carbohydrate content of 23.51%, lipid content of 4.16%, and ash content of 10.1% were contained in the cells. Harmful microorganisms and residual pesticides of the Spirulina powder were not detected. This study was strongly indicated that the cultivation methods and cultured S. maxima biomass had suitability for various bio-industrial applications.