Utilization of anaerobically digested distillery effluent for the production of Spirulina platensis (ARM 730)

Anaerobically digested distillery effluent (ADE) of molasses based distilleries with high BOD and COD cause deterioration of land and ground water quality when discharged in the environment. Spirulina platensis (ARM 730) was grown in different dilutions and used for treatment and safe disposal of ADE. It was observed that growth and other parameters like protein, carbohydrate, lipids were significantly higher in 50% ADE over standard Zarrouk's medium and other ADE dilutions. After growing Spirulina for 14 days in all the different dilutions of ADE, a significant decrease was observed in the following: BOD, 51-94.6; total C, 27.2-71.8; and total N, 35.4-58.0 %.