The Feasibility of industrial production of Spirulina (Arthrospira) in Southern Spain

C. Jiménez, B.R. Cossío, D. Labella, F.X. Niell-2002
Aquaculture, 217(1-4): 179-190
Abstract:

The viability of the industrial production of three strains of Spirulina platensis was tested in Malaga, Southern Spain. In a pre-industrial trial using raceway ponds from laboratory-scale to 450 m², all three strains displayed satisfactory growth. In a 10-month industrial trial in 450 m² ponds, production was equivalent to 30–32 metric tons of dry powder per hectare per annum. In conclusion, intensive industrial production of Spirulina is viable in certain Mediterranean climates, a region previously thought to be outside its geographic limits.

(Department of Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071, Málaga, Spain, e-mail: jimenez_c@uma.es)

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