A new scientific article from the ACUICONECTA project has recently been published in the journal Marine Drugs, entitled:
“Cultivation of Limnospira platensis (Spirulina) in Full Seawater with Medium Recycling: A Promising Source of Protein and Phycocyanin for Arid Coastal Regions”
This work has been carried out by project partners, the Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC) and the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), through its Banco Español de Algas (BEA), and is available at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/3843614
The study presents, for the first time, the long-term outdoor pilot-scale cultivation of Limnospira platensis (Spirulina) using 100% seawater, together with a culture medium recirculation system in raceway-type reactors with an operational volume of 10 m³.
The results demonstrate that it is possible to maintain stable productivity over several years under real operational conditions, representing a significant step forward toward more sustainable production systems, especially in arid coastal regions where freshwater availability is limited. The developed approach also enables a drastic reduction in fertilizer use and ensures compliance with effluent discharge regulations without the need for additional treatment.
Safety assessments confirm that the produced biomass complies with European Union food safety standards, for both human and animal consumption. From a nutritional perspective, the biomass shows a high-value profile, particularly due to its content of:
- High-quality proteins
- Phycocyanin
This reinforces its potential as a functional ingredient for food and nutraceutical applications.
Overall, this work positions the cultivation of Spirulina in seawater with medium recirculation as a viable, sustainable, and safe approach for producing protein and phycocyanin, with particular relevance for water-scarce regions.
