We are growing Thalassiosira pseudonana in 1,000L tank for shrimp larva in the hatchery. The maximum density gained is around 170,000 cells/mL. Does anyone have experience in growing this algae and how to improve their yeild?
Dear Phuong,
That is not very dense. We have cultivated similar sized Thalassiosira species at 200.000-1.500.000 cells/mL. There are many ways to optimize your density and yield, but it really depends on the flexibility of your production system. You can improve your yield by optimizing temperature, light conditions (e.g. reduce self shading), nutrient input, aeration/mixing.
You can check these articles and references herein for optimizing the various parameters of your production system:
*Hewes CD (2015) Transitional-state growth kinetics of Thalassiosira pseudonana(Bacillariophyceae) during self-shading in batch culture under light-limiting, nutrient-replete conditions: Improving biomass for productivity (culture quality).
*Hewes (2016) Timing is everything: optimizing crop yield for Thalassiosira pseudonana (Bacillariophyceae) with semi-continuous culture
*Thomsen (2002) Response of growth and biochemical composition to variations in daylength, temperature, and irradiance in the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana (Bacillariophyceae)
Kind regards Hans
I agree with Dr. Hans. The growth of all the photosynthetic microalgae and diatoms require optimum temperature, light conditions preferably dark:light cycle should be around 16 h:8 h. The light should be around 120 mmolm2 s1), Temperature should be approximately in the range of 20-28 0C. There should be appropriate mechanical mixing (90-110 rpm) or aeration (at least 2LPM). The nutritional requirements can be optimized separately depending upon the target metabolite proportion in the cultivated biomass. For aquaculture feed application of biomass can be cultivated in nutrient rich medium which results high biomass yield with high proportion of carbohydrate and protein compare to the lipid contents. Cultivation medium deficient in nutrients results low yields of biomass.
Check the depth of your tank, the cultivation should be done in a shallow tank as cells may not get exposed to the light required for the optimum growth in the deeper tanks.
Hi Hans,
It is very useful to know the density you are working there. I am reading the articles to get more knowledge about that.
We might try something to improve and greatly to have your ideas shared to help us.
Thanks again,
Hello Sanjay,
Many thanks for your detailed answer. The algae here is being grown 70 cm - deep translucent tank with uncontrolled temperature. In the summer, the water temperature can reach 31 0C.
We might need to change some thing before try different concentrations of nutrient.
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