Mud pot Spirulina cultivation

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 a profitable price.

Materials required

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.

Process

1. 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.
2. 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).
3. The medium has to be stirred 3 to 4 times a day as the spirulina cannot grow in a stagnant medium.
4. The pots have to be exposed to sunlight as the spirulina takes 3 to 4 days to mature.
5. The mature spirulina (When the pale medium turns into dark green) can be harvested by simple cloth-filtration.
6. 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

1. 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.
2. Pots are easy to handle as compared to concrete-lined ponds or polythene-lined pits.
3. Pots can be replaced easily, if damaged, and can be shifted, if necessary.
4. Pot-cultures can be maintained for long periods if no infection, contamination, or other mishaps occur.
5. More pots can be manufactured by village women with minimum additional effort.

 

Source : AMM Marugappa Chetttiar Research Centre, Algal Division, Saverivyar Puram, Pudukkotai Dist., Tamilnadu