The effect of the environmental factors on the vitamin C (ascorbic acid), E (Alpha-tocopherol), Beta-carotene contents and the fatty acid composition of Spirulina platensis

The purpose of this study was to clarify the seasonal variation of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), E (alpha-tocopherol), beta-carotene contents and fatty acid composition of Spirulina platensis grown in the ponds in the subtropic area. While the light intensity, pH and salinity were measured daily, the temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured in day and night. The mean day temperatures were 33.9 plus or minus 0.4 degree C in summer and 18.6 plus or minus 0.5 degree C in winter. The mean night temperatures were measured 29.9 plus or minus 0.2 degree C and 14.4 plus or minus 0.2 degree C in summer and winter, respectively. The mean light intensity of 848.3 mu mol/m2/s was determined in summer. It was 506.26 plus or minus 48 mu mol/m super(2)/s in winter. The vitamin C content (39.31 plus or minus 3.63 mg/100 g) of S. platensis grown in winter was found to be higher than in summer. The alpha-tocopherol content (6.57 plus or minus 1.18 mg/100 g) was higher in summer. However, beta-carotene contents were found to be similar both in summer and winter. Fatty acid composition was affected by the ambient factors significantly. The higher gamma-linolenic acid content (22.221 plus or minus 0.388%) was found in summer.