Dairy Wastewaters to Promote Mixotrophic Metabolism in <i>Limnospira</i> (<i>Spirulina</i>) <i>platensis</i>: Effect on Biomass Composition, Phycocyanin Content, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profile

This study explores the mixotrophic cultivation of <i>Limnospira platensis</i> using dairy byproducts, specifically scotta whey (SW), buttermilk wastewater (BMW), and dairy wastewater (DWW), to promote biomass production and enhance the composition of bioactive compounds. By assessing va...

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Main Authors: Luca Baraldi, Luca Usai, Serenella Torre, Giacomo Fais, Mattia Casula, Debora Dessi, Paola Nieri, Alessandro Concas, Giovanni Antonio Lutzu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/184
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author Luca Baraldi
Luca Usai
Serenella Torre
Giacomo Fais
Mattia Casula
Debora Dessi
Paola Nieri
Alessandro Concas
Giovanni Antonio Lutzu
author_facet Luca Baraldi
Luca Usai
Serenella Torre
Giacomo Fais
Mattia Casula
Debora Dessi
Paola Nieri
Alessandro Concas
Giovanni Antonio Lutzu
author_sort Luca Baraldi
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the mixotrophic cultivation of <i>Limnospira platensis</i> using dairy byproducts, specifically scotta whey (SW), buttermilk wastewater (BMW), and dairy wastewater (DWW), to promote biomass production and enhance the composition of bioactive compounds. By assessing various concentrations (1%, 2%, and 4% v v<sup>−1</sup>) of these byproducts in a modified growth medium, this study aims to evaluate their effect on <i>L. platensis</i> growth, phycocyanin (C-PC) content, and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles. The results show that the optimal biomass production was achieved with 2% scotta and dairy wastewater, reaching maximum concentrations of 3.30 g L<sup>−1</sup> and 3.19 g L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. Mixotrophic cultivation led to increased C-PC yields, especially in buttermilk and dairy wastewater treatments, highlighting the potential for producing valuable pigments. Additionally, the FAME profiles indicated minimal changes compared to the control, with oleic and γ-linolenic acids being dominant in mixotrophic conditions. These findings support the viability of utilizing dairy byproducts for sustainable <i>L. platensis</i> cultivation, contributing to a circular bioeconomy while producing bioactive compounds of nutritional and commercial interest.
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spelling doaj-art-36219ea38136438cb9e710db416956cd2025-08-20T02:44:35ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-01-0115218410.3390/life15020184Dairy Wastewaters to Promote Mixotrophic Metabolism in <i>Limnospira</i> (<i>Spirulina</i>) <i>platensis</i>: Effect on Biomass Composition, Phycocyanin Content, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester ProfileLuca Baraldi0Luca Usai1Serenella Torre2Giacomo Fais3Mattia Casula4Debora Dessi5Paola Nieri6Alessandro Concas7Giovanni Antonio Lutzu8Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 287, 41123 Modena, ItalyTeregroup Srl, Via David Livingstone 37, 41123 Modena, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 12, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Piazza d’Armi, 09123 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Piazza d’Armi, 09123 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Blocco A, SP8 Km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 12, 56126 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Piazza d’Armi, 09123 Cagliari, ItalyTeregroup Srl, Via David Livingstone 37, 41123 Modena, ItalyThis study explores the mixotrophic cultivation of <i>Limnospira platensis</i> using dairy byproducts, specifically scotta whey (SW), buttermilk wastewater (BMW), and dairy wastewater (DWW), to promote biomass production and enhance the composition of bioactive compounds. By assessing various concentrations (1%, 2%, and 4% v v<sup>−1</sup>) of these byproducts in a modified growth medium, this study aims to evaluate their effect on <i>L. platensis</i> growth, phycocyanin (C-PC) content, and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles. The results show that the optimal biomass production was achieved with 2% scotta and dairy wastewater, reaching maximum concentrations of 3.30 g L<sup>−1</sup> and 3.19 g L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. Mixotrophic cultivation led to increased C-PC yields, especially in buttermilk and dairy wastewater treatments, highlighting the potential for producing valuable pigments. Additionally, the FAME profiles indicated minimal changes compared to the control, with oleic and γ-linolenic acids being dominant in mixotrophic conditions. These findings support the viability of utilizing dairy byproducts for sustainable <i>L. platensis</i> cultivation, contributing to a circular bioeconomy while producing bioactive compounds of nutritional and commercial interest.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/184cheese wheybuttermilkdairy wastewater<i>Limnospira platensis</i>phycocyaninFAME profile
spellingShingle Luca Baraldi
Luca Usai
Serenella Torre
Giacomo Fais
Mattia Casula
Debora Dessi
Paola Nieri
Alessandro Concas
Giovanni Antonio Lutzu
Dairy Wastewaters to Promote Mixotrophic Metabolism in <i>Limnospira</i> (<i>Spirulina</i>) <i>platensis</i>: Effect on Biomass Composition, Phycocyanin Content, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profile
Life
cheese whey
buttermilk
dairy wastewater
<i>Limnospira platensis</i>
phycocyanin
FAME profile
title Dairy Wastewaters to Promote Mixotrophic Metabolism in <i>Limnospira</i> (<i>Spirulina</i>) <i>platensis</i>: Effect on Biomass Composition, Phycocyanin Content, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profile
title_full Dairy Wastewaters to Promote Mixotrophic Metabolism in <i>Limnospira</i> (<i>Spirulina</i>) <i>platensis</i>: Effect on Biomass Composition, Phycocyanin Content, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profile
title_fullStr Dairy Wastewaters to Promote Mixotrophic Metabolism in <i>Limnospira</i> (<i>Spirulina</i>) <i>platensis</i>: Effect on Biomass Composition, Phycocyanin Content, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profile
title_full_unstemmed Dairy Wastewaters to Promote Mixotrophic Metabolism in <i>Limnospira</i> (<i>Spirulina</i>) <i>platensis</i>: Effect on Biomass Composition, Phycocyanin Content, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profile
title_short Dairy Wastewaters to Promote Mixotrophic Metabolism in <i>Limnospira</i> (<i>Spirulina</i>) <i>platensis</i>: Effect on Biomass Composition, Phycocyanin Content, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profile
title_sort dairy wastewaters to promote mixotrophic metabolism in i limnospira i i spirulina i i platensis i effect on biomass composition phycocyanin content and fatty acid methyl ester profile
topic cheese whey
buttermilk
dairy wastewater
<i>Limnospira platensis</i>
phycocyanin
FAME profile
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/184
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