Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol.

Study on Changing of Protein and Carbohydrate Ratios in

Spirulina due to Light Intensity

Molly1, Khine Zar Wynn Lae2

Abstract
In this research work, spirulina samples were collected from Artificial
Culture Pond of Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory (Yekharr), Sagaing
Division. The samples were harvested eight times per day when the
optical density became 0.6g/l and protein and carbohydrate ratios were
determined during day and night conditions in November, December,
January and February. It was observed that protein content decreased in
day and increased at night. Some minerals essential for biologic
functions were detected by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Introduction

Spirulina is a multicellular, filamentous blue-green alga

(cyanobacterium). It consists of blue-green filaments of 1 to 12 μm
diameter cylindrical cells in unbranched, helicoidal trichomes. The
filaments are motile, gliding along their axis and have no heterocysts.
Spirulina can grow rapidly, reaching high filament densities in warm,
shallow, briackish lakes.
Spirulina is rich in protein. It contains about 60% protein,
15% carbohydrate, 5% lipid, 7% minerals and others are some
phytochemicals and vitamins. The chemical composition of spirulina
reflects its potential as human foods, animal feed and as a source of natural
products. It is a naturally rich source of nutrients and its high quality, easily
digested proteins may support immunity and optimum health for human
beings. It is a satisfying Super Food for dieters as it provides aids in
cleansing and detoxifying. Water extract of spirulina plantensis inhibits
HIV-1 replication in human derived T-cell lines and in human peripheral
blood mononuclear cells.
Spirulina is also extremely high in vitamin B12, the mucoprotein cell
walls are easy to digest, unlike the cellulose cell wall found in many other
nutritional algae, it is completely non-toxic, and its lipids are made up of
unsaturated fatty acids that do not form cholesterol.

1. Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Yadanarbon University

2. Demonstrator, Dr, Department of Chemistry, Yadanabon University
2 Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

In addition to being exceptionally high in protein, spirulina appears

to have the highest vitamin B12 content among unprocessed plant or animal
food, representing a boon to vegetarian diets.
The effect of spirulina tablets as a supplement for those who are on
reducing diet and the body weight of person has been recently conducted in
Germany (W. Becker, personal communication). It was found that,
14 spirulina tablets were taken before each meal daily and during four
weeks body weight fell significantly by 1.4 (±0.4) kg.
Spirulina is used as a feed ingredient for pigmentation of ornamental
fish, especially goldfish and fancy red carp (Miki et al-1986).
In Myanmar, Spirulina has been found in four alkaline lakes, namely
Lake Twyn Taung, Lake Twyn Ma, Lake Taung Pyauk and Lake Yekharr.
Artificial Culture Ponds were constructed at Myanmar Spirulina Factory,
Yekharr in 2003. Ayerawady river water and trona (Soda Ash) are used for
Spirulina Culture Media. The source of Spirulina strain is natural lake,
Twyn Taung.
Myanmar Spirulina contains approximately one-third more
carbohydrate and polysaccharides than those from any other sources. The
antiviral activities of Myanmar Spirulina have been investigated by
Professor Dr. Dr. O.Pulz and Dr. P.J.Mewes (Germany) in 2006. The results
showed that extracts of spirulina from Myanmar provided 80 to 100 %
protection level against Herpes simplex viruses and 75 to 83 % protection
against influenza viruses.
In this research work, the samples were collected from Artificial
Culture Ponds of Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory, Yekharr in Sagaing
Division.

Material and Methods

Botanical Name - Arthrospira Platensis

Family Name - Oscillatoriaceae
Genus - Arthrospira
Species - Spirulina Platensis
Common Name - Spirulina
The samples, Spirulina biomass, were collected four times in
November, December, January and February from the Artificial Culture
ponds of Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory (Yekharr) in Sagaing Division.
Spirulina grows well during those months.
Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2 3

The mineral contents were determined by Atomic Absorption

Spectrophotometer (AAS) (model-AA 6200). During harvesting, the
temperature was measured by thermometer and light intensity was
measured by Lux meter. The protein content was determined by Kjeldahl
method and the carbohydrate content by phenol sulphuric colorimetric
method.

Results and Discussions

Phytochemical screening indicates that Myanmar Spirulina from

Yekharr contains alkaloid, protein, carbohydrate, flavonoid, glycoside,
lipophilic, phenolic, polyphenol, sugar and steroid. Moreover, it is rich in
protein and carbohydrate. Determination of essential elements has been
carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique.

Table-1. Mineral Contents in Spirulina Dry Chip

No. Mineral Content (%) Function
1. Sodium 0.2880 Salt flavour (as NaCl)
2. Potassium 1.2603 Prevent high blood pressure
3. Magnesium 0.2376 Essential for life function
4. Calcium 0.402 Proper bone and teeth formation
5. Iron 0.05 Oxygen carrier in blood
6. Manganese 0.00137 Smooth functioning in brain
7. Zinc 0.00123 Normal taste and smell

Carbohydrate content increases in day and decreases at night. It was

observed that the higher the intensity of light the higher is the carbohydrate
content.
4 Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

Table-2. The protein and carbohydrate content depending on light intensity

in November, 2008.
Air Temperature Light Intensity
No: Harvesting Time Protein (%) Carbohydrate (%)
(ºC) (Wm-2)

1 3:00 AM 20 - 58.77 6.532

2 6:00 AM 21 0.364 58.50 6.894
3 9:00 AM 27 116.0 58.43 7.416
4 12:00 PM 32 118.28 57.49 10.08
5 3:00 PM 31 115.94 56.19 10.59
6 6:00 PM 25 0.024 53.43 12.79
7 9:00 PM 23 - 62.47 8.147
8 12:00 AM 22 - 65.41 7.755
Protein and Carbohydrate %

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
3:00 AM 6:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 PM
AM
Harvesting Time

Protein % Carbohydrate %

Table-3. The protein and carbohydrate content depending on light intensity

in December, 2008.
No: Harvesting Air Temperature Light Intensity Protein Carbohydrate (%)
Time (ºC) (Wm-2) (%)

1 3:00 AM 17 - 67.13 11.651

2 6:00 AM 15 0.250 65.0 11.339
3 9:00 AM 22 111.05 61.69 13.904
4 12:00 PM 26 156.82 61.56 13.924
5 3:00 PM 28 123.06 60.25 15.152
6 6:00 PM 21 0.0002 60.38 14.052
7 9:00 PM 19 - 62.5 13.262
8 12:00 AM 18 - 63.91 11.801
Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2 5

Protein and Carbohydrate %

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
3:00 AM 6:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 PM
AM
Harvesting Time

Protein % Carbohydrate %

Table-4. The protein and carbohydrate content depending on light intensity

in January, 2009.
No: Harvesting Time Air Temperature Light Intensity Protein (%) Carbohydrate (%)
(ºC) (Wm-2)
59.63
1 3:00 AM 16 - 8.536
59.31
2 6:00 AM 16 - 8.958
56.5
3 9:00 AM 27 108.90 9.132
55.69
4 12:00 PM 27 138.01 12.833
52.25
5 3:00 PM 31 130.89 18.084
55.56
6 6:00 PM 28 0.256 15.452
57.56
7 9:00 PM 25 - 10.141
60.38
8 12:00 AM 18 - 8.867
Protein and Carbohydrate %

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
3:00 AM 6:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 PM
AM
Harvesting Time

Protein % Carbohydrate %
6 Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2

Table-5. The protein and carbohydrate content depending on light intensity

in February, 2009.
No: Harvesting Air Temperature Light Intensity Protein Carbohydrate (%)
Time (ºC) (Wm-2) (%)
64.06
1 3:00 AM 12 - 8.3947
61.75
2 6:00 AM 15 - 10.5054
60.06
3 9:00 AM 24 101.48 12.654
56.94
4 12:00 PM 32 148.67 15.150
59.94
5 3:00 PM 31 122.96 12.0747
59.95
6 6:00 PM 25 0.296 11.668
60.13
7 9:00 PM 22 - 11.554
60.19
8 12:00 AM 19 - 8.826
Protein and Carbohydrate %

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
3:00 AM 6:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 PM
AM
Harvesting Time

Protein % Carbohydrate %

Conclusion

Culture spirulina can be obtained found all the year round although
peak blooming season occur during November to March. Therefore, from
November-2008 to February-2009, the protein and carbohydrate content of
spirulina were determined by monthly and it was found that the
carbohydrate and protein ratios in spirulina depend on light intensity. The
carbohydrate content is high between 12:00 AM to 6:00 PM due to
photosynthesis, whereas protein content increases at night.
It is due to the facts that during the night, carbohydrates are
converted to proteins and there may be losses of carbohydrate because of
respiration. Thus, the research findings are quite reasonable and in
conformity with the nature.
Universities Research Journal 2009, Vol. 2 7

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to

Acting-rector, U Than Nwe and Pro-rector Dr Than Tun Oo,
Yadanabon University for their interest and encouragement on our
research work. We also thank to Professor and Head, Dr Aye Aye Cho,
Department of Chemistry, Yadanabon University, for her valuable
advice and permission to use research facilities in doing this research.
We are greatly indebted to Professor Dr. Min Thien, General Manager,
Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory, Sagaing, Ministry of Industry (1)
(Retired) for his kind helps to measure some of the data.

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