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Characterization of Spirulina biomass for CELSS diet potentialCyanobacteria, Spirulina maxima as a biogenerative photosynthetic and an edible alga for the space craft crew in a CELSS, was evaluated in an effort to increase the growth rate, biomass, yield, and chemical analysis in continuous cultures. The cell characteristics were determined for cultures maintained at steady state with respect to the substrate concentration. The productivity increased in experiments exposed to low light (30 uE m(exp -2)s(exp -1). Oxygen evolved and protein production were higher in cultures exposed to low light intensity. There was a relationship between nitrate concentration and the yield of the culture. Increasing the concentration of nitrate in the growth medium up to 20 mM was enough to produce a culture having the same chemical composition as that of complete medium. High light was inhibiting the yield of the culture. Increasing the concentration of phosphate beyond 1 mM did not improve the yield of the culture. Increasing the concentration of sodium chloride in the growth medium did not affect the growth of the alga up to 0.1 M but beyond that the culture started to be stressed. The response to stress appeared in high production of total carbohydrate on the expense of protein production. The oxygen production was also higher in cultures stressed with sodium chloride.
Document ID
19940009624
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Tadros, Mahasin G.
(Alabama A & M Univ. Normal, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1993
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-194123
NAS 1.26:194123
Accession Number
94N14097
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-501
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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