Cultivation of Arthrospira Strains in Tropical Conditions, with Particular Reference to Ethiopia

Tropical soda lakes generally harbor abundance of Arthrospira sp. (Spirulina) and related phytoplankton communitiesdue to their optimal water chemistry and ecological conditions. Arthrospira fusiformis was described as the dominant species in Lake Chitu. The main aim of this study was to cultivate Arthrospira sp. isolates from Lake Chitu, Lake Abijata and Lake Shalla. Morphological features were determined using light Microscope. We found three different morphotypes (H-type, S-type and C-type) of Arthrospira sp. of Lake Chitu on the basis of selected morphological parameters. In this study it has been also confirmed that a concentration of ammonium nitrate of 0.03 M is optimal for cultivation of Spirulina. Revision of taxonomic positions of Arthrospira of Lake Chitu by combining morphological, ultrastructural and molecular methods is required using a larger number of strains isolated from different sampling points in the lake and increasing sampling from other lakes from the Rift Valley. In conclusion, Lake Chitu is a potentially interesting area for isolating Arthrospira sp.in the wild and hence to provide genetic variation of possible interest for future small to large scale commercial production or research activities.