Abstract: The batch and fed-batch cultivations of Spirulina platensis were studied using ammonium bicarbonate as the nitrogen source. The results showed that Spirulina platensis could grow well when ammonium concentration in the medium was less than 5 mmol/L. However, when the concentration of ammonium bicarbonate was higher than 5 mmol/L, cell growth was inhibited and disintegrated. The fed-batch cultivation using biomass-based feeding method could yield a dry cell concentration of 3.08 g/L, and a productivity of 0.26 g/(L ·d). Moreover, the contents of protein and chlorophyll could reach up to 65.06% and 13.37 mg/g, respectively. Therefore, bicarbonate ammonium is a suitable nitrogen source for high cell density culture of Spirulina platensis.

Key words: Spirulina platensis, ammonium bicarbonate, fed-batch culture, protein, chlorophyll