You're right. As part of the project, it is possible to try to carry out research on the growth rate of Spirulna sp. Biomast with limited water consumption.

1. We can build a stone wall (we need to choose the type of stone) and put spiruline on it and sprinkle it (we make water mist).

2. We can use the known method of tricling filters, i.e. we build biomase on crushed stone arranged in special shallow columns and sprinkle a limited amount of water, i.e. properly selected nutrient medium. We have to involve a physiologist, cyanobacterial expert, engineer, bichemist and both of us and we write a project because we have to examine everything on a laboratory scale.

Let me know what do you think about?

Wirh best wishes,

Konrad W.

Hi Konrad, thanks for your helpful reply. That sounds like a really interesting solution, but doesn’t sound suitable for the types of places I have in mind, namely poor rural communities in places like India or African countries. Many such communities are increasingly desperate nowadays due to erratic rainfall linked to climate change and land degradation. Cultivating spirulina offers an interesting prospect for them due to growing rapidly under controlled conditions, but a big question is how precisely this might be done. Regarding the option you mention, I don’t think such communities would be able to sprinkle a stone wall with water regularly in a way that could cope with the heat and dryness in their areas. They also don’t have access to a range of experts (engineer, etc). One interesting solution I read about was using old 2 litre Coke bottles to grow spirulina, which was being done by a group called JustSpirulina. That’s just one option, but obviously raises concerns about things like production standards.

Kind regards,

Jules

Hi Jules,

I know it requires an investment. Therefore, the project must be based on earmarked funds in the event of undertaking production on a utility scale. At the grant level, it all depends on the idea and the receipt of funds for its implementation, e.g. under EU or UK programs.

All the best,

Konrad.

Hi Konrad, Agreed that having earmarked project funds offers a possible answer. Another, however, is identifying streamlined technological options that could disseminate spontaneously without help from projects. If such options could be found, this could enable wider uptake across societies, which is the ideal. I am well aware this is challenging, but it’s also a good question for researchers to bear in mind. Kind regards, Jules

Perhaps take a look at what the Spirulina product is going to bring the person growing it. Is it worth the water, even grown in a low evaporation way, to that person or community? When it comes to water in an arid area, it is a critical cost-benefit analysis.

That said, Spirulina can be grown in just about any container given adequate nutrients. One may have to shade during the mid-day heat, but it can probably be grown just about anywhere.

Now, what are the requirements of purity etc.? Can those be met in order to sell it or consume locally?

Hi Barry, Thanks kindly for your reflections on this question. Of course it is necessary to carefully consider if growing spirulina makes sense in an area where water is scarce. Yet as you note, spirulina can be grown in just about any container, so it clearly might be a good option. My guess is that as long as the water used is mostly conserved & reused, spirulina could be an interesting crop in dry areas. Critically, it must be considered relative to the alternatives. The scenario I have in mind is agricultural communities in parts of Africa where climate change is causing production problems (e.g., crop failures, livestock morbidity and mortality), and hence where people need alternatives. My question is whether spirulina could be a good option for people in such areas due to offering more resilient production thanks to being grown under controlled conditions. If you have any documents you could share on spirulina being grown in different types of commonly available containers, this would be most welcome. Best wishes, Jules

you can consult this

Mud pot Spirulina cultivation - Vikaspedia

https://vikaspedia.in › energy › energy-efficiency › mu...

Spirulina is an edible micro-algae. It is toxic-free, rich in proteins and vitamins and has a high medicinal value.

Hi Abhijit, Thanks for your reply. This sounds like a fascinating technology. Do you know if there are any entities or groups that are actively using it to grow spirulina? Or do you have the name of a contact person who is working on this technology, whether on its development or its roll-out with interested parties? Thanks in advance for your help. Kind regards, Jules

Hi Jules, spirulina, i.e. commercially grown Limnospira, may be grown in small in small, hand dug, tanks/ponds, preferably lined with PE foil. The pond should be mixed (manually) several times a day. It is necessary to have water with high pH and conductivity, otherwise the organism will not grow well and the wohole system will be more susceptible to contaminations.

Hi Tomas, OK thanks for these thoughts. Do you know of particular production systems that would be useful in poorer communities? For instance, the project JustSpirulina has explored the prospect of utilising used coke bottles to produce spirulina. Any other suggestions of actors or specific technologies would be most welcome. Kind regards, Jules

Hi Jules, I am not aware of any other project than JustSpirulina, on the other hand, there are plenty I guess. Have a nice day.

Hi Tomas, OK thanks. All the best, Jules