1. Vol. 47 No. 2, p.

319-330

Published:

View
»Abstract
»Full Text (PDF)
»Table of Contents
Download
»Citation
Alerts
»Sign up for TOC email alerts
Share
»Email this content
»Recommend to librarian

doi:10.2527/jas1978.472319x

Production and Nutritive Value of

Arthrospira Platensis, a Spiral Blue-Green
Alga Grown on Swine Wastes
1. Po Chung1 ,2,
2. W. G. Pond2,
3. J. M. Kingsbury3,
4. E. F. Walker4 and
5. L. Krook5

+ Author Affiliations

Summary

Methane generation has been proposed as a means of swine waste disposal. As a secondary
treatment to recover nitrogen, carbon and other nutrients from the effluent of a methane
generator, Arthrospira platensis (a blue-green alga also known as Spirulina) was grown and its
nutritive value determined. This alga contained 55 to 61% crude protein and was easy to harvest.
Three indoor culture ponds of .65 M2 were designed and built. The ponds consisted of a
bottomless wooden frame lined with a polyethylene sheet resting on a table top. Culture medium
was kept circulating by a special aerator. An inorganic medium was evaluated. When algal
growth reached a saturation point, there was still 70% of N03— and 11% of HCO3— left unused in
the medium. Swine waste fermented at a hydraulic retention time of 10 days gave the highest
ratio (2.3:1) of NH3-N to TKN (about 70% NH3-N). NH3 seemed to support best the growth of
algae, when the effluent was slowly infused. Organic acids in the effluent also provided a good
source of carbon, a limiting factor when algae were intensively grown. Under the light intensity
of 500 footcandles, Arthrospira yielded about 5 g/M2/day. A sample containing 2,038 mg of
NH3-N produced 16,250 mg of dry algae, containing 9,750 mg protein or 1,560 mg N, giving an
efficiency of nitrogen recovery of 76%. The protein of Arthrospira platensis showed a PER of
2.25, apparent nitrogen digestibility of 76.7% and biological value of 67.7%; no toxic effects
were noted.

Please view the pdf by using the Full Text (PDF) link under 'View' to the left.

Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1978 by American Society
of Animal Science.