Hi
A simple and a cheap technique for cultivation of spirulina is the mud pot technology.
Spirulina is an edible micro-algae. It is toxic-free, rich in proteins and vitamins and has a high medicinal value. A simple and cheap technology has been developed for rural women to cultivate spirulina at home, requiring little space and investment. This can be a profitable industry as dried spirulina can be sold at about Rs. 300/- per kg.
MATERIALS
Three mud pots of 35 to 40 litre capacity/25 sq.m. of exposed and protected space.
MEDIUM
Bio-gas slurry and 2-3 grams of sea salt or chemical medium (Potassium dihydrogen Phosphate, Cooking Soda and Sodium Chloride); and Pure Spirulina Culture.
WORKING
The three mud pots are buried upto their necks in the ground, filled with water mixed with the medium. Bio-gas slurry is the cheapest nutrient medium for spirulina culture. A small quantity of pure spirulina is put into the medium. (In the initial stage, the nutrient medium has to be supplied to the producer as stock-solution for ready mixing). The medium has to be stirred 3 to 4 times a day as the spirulina can not grow in a stagnant medium. The pots have to be exposed to sunlight as the spirulina takes 3 to 4 days to mature. The mature spirulina (When the pale medium turns into dark green) can be harvested by a simple cloth-filtration. After washing the spirulina in fresh water (to remove the adhering chemicals), it can be directly mixed with the chapatti / dough, chutnies, noodles, dais, vegetables etc. (about 2% by weight). Spirulina can be preserved by drying it in the shade. It must be dried immediately to preserve its quality and value.
ADVANTAGES
Spirulina grown in 3 earthen pots of 35-40 litre capacity is sufficient to provide 2 grams per day (per person) high-quality spirulina powder to meet 100% vitamin A and 200% vitamin B-12 requirement, daily.
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Pots are easy to handle as compared to concrete-lined ponds or polythene-lined pits.
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Pots can be replaced easily, if damaged, and can be shifted, if necessary.
Pot-cultures can be maintained for long periods if no infection, contamination, or other mishaps occur.
More pots can be manufactured by village women with minimum additional effort.
SOURCE
Dr. C.V. Sheshadri, Amm Marugappa Chmtiar Research Centre, Algal Division, Saverivyar Puram, Pudukkotai Dist., Tamilnadu
REgards
Ashwini
