K.H. OGBONDA, G.O.ABU AND E.R. AMINIGO
Abstract
The effect of NaC1 concentrations (0.5 - 2.5%) on biomass production and protein biosynthesis in Spirulina sp. isolated from an oil-polluted brackish water marsh was investigated. Biomass production and protein biosynthesis were favoured at slightly different salinity levels. The optimum salinity for biomass production by this cyanobacterium was 1.0% and growth reduced gradually thereafter. Biomass production was reduced by 44.4% and 11.1% at salinity levels of 0.5% and 1.5%, respectively. The salinity range that favoured protein biosynthesis was 1.5 - 2.5%. Protein and amino acid contents were highest at a salinity of 2.0% and were reduced by 17% and 24%, respectively, at 1.0% salinity.