UL BF Department of Food presents spirulina harvest

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a species of cyanobacteria known for its good nutritional value and is often used as a food supplement. It is grown in photobioreactors where the optimal conditions for growth are an alkaline environment (pH above 10), sunlight and a temperature between 30 and 35 °C. Once the spirulina has reached the late exponential growth phase, the harvesting process begins, which involves separating the spirulina from the medium. Filtration is used, based on the use of a semi-permeable membrane that retains the microalgae while allowing the liquid medium to pass through. The resulting spirulina biomass is dried and used as a functional additive to various foods.