Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 35: 2225 - 2234. Published November 8, 2010.
Mixed cultivation of Euglena gracilis and Chlorella sorokiniana: a production method of algae biomass on a large scale.
*Emmanuel T. Friday1, Ejoba Rapheal1, Nwalo F.O2 , Ayodele S.M.
1 Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, p.m.b 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria
2 Department of Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. Nigeria
3 Department of Biological sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Objective: Euglena gracilis and Chlorella sorokiniana are single cell freshwater green micro-algae that are super food of choice for over 10 million people worldwide. Mixed cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana and Euglena gracilis was compared with their monocultivation under photoautotropic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic conditions.
Methodology and Results: The Cell Density was measured by cell counting using a Heamocytometer, Final Cell Concentration was determined by cell counting at the 480 hours of culture and Biomass Yield were calculated using standard method. The Cell Density, Final Cell Concentration and Yield from change in cell growth to change in substrate consumed glucose consumed were compared. The results showed that in a mixed cultivation, there was significant increase (p ≥ 0.05) in growth rates of Euglena gracilis and Chlorella sorokiniana compared to the values obtained in monocultures. A total Yield of 67.64 x 105 cells/mg glucose and 51.73 x105 cell/mg glucose were obtained in mixed cultivation and monocultivation of two cell strains respectively.
Conclusion and application: This demonstrates that mixed cultivation has a very high potential as a substitute for the current monocutivation of Euglene gracilis and Chlorella sorokiniana.
Key words: Autotrophic, Heterotrophic, Mixotrophic, Monocultivation, Mixed cultivation
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