Effect of Differences in the Form of Photobioreactor Prototypes and Aeration Period on Chlorella sp. Cell Growth in Co-Culture with Bacteria

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that produce oil which has the potential for fuel production. This study aimed to determine the effects of photobioreactor prototype shape, aeration period, and interaction between the aeration period and the photobioreactor prototype form on the growth of co-culture Chlorella sp cells with bacteria. This study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The form of the prototype used was the cube and horizontal plate. The treatment of different aeration periods consisted of 6A: 18TA, 12A: 12TA, 18A: 6 TA, and 24 A: 0 TA (A=Aeration, TA=No Aeration). This study was carried out by observing Chlorella sp. cell density in co-culture with bacteria every seven days. The results showed that the optimal prototype shape was a horizontal plate with an average cell density of 11.48x10(4) cells/mL. The optimal aeration period was twelve hours aeration: twelve hours not aerated with a mean cell density of 38.8x10(4) cells/mL. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the treatment of prototype forms and aeration periods. The results also showed that there was no interaction between the different aeration periods and the photobioreactor prototype on the growth of co-culture Chlorella sp. cells with bacteria.