Biomass production of Tolypothrix tenuis as a basic component of a cyanobacterial biofertilizer

The influence of artificial illumination on upstream and downstream operations for biomass production of Tolypothrix tenuis as a basic component of a powdered cyanobacterial biofertilizer was studied. Cultures were operated semi-continuously for 18 months at harvesting frequencies of 4, 7, 10, and 14 days in two vertical plate photobioreactors of 1.5 and 5 cm of light path and illuminated at two different light intensities: high (290 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and normal (60 μmol photons m−2 s−1). Biomass was separated by self-flocculation and finally processed as a dried powder. The cellular concentration and volumetric productivity were superior in photobioreactors of short light path at high light intensity, while the overall areal productivity was higher in the photobioreactor of 5 cm at normal light intensity with weekly harvest frequency. The viability preservation of the dried and milled biomass was greatly enhanced by the use of halogen lamps and subsequent ionic flocculation with 10 mM MgSO4 plus 10 mM CaCl2. An optimum value of the retained viability index (RVI10) was maintained for 24 months, while a sharp viability declination and cellular death were produced after 12 months with fluorescent tubes, which represents a relevant aspect in the commercialization step of this type of biofertilizer.