Its adaptive temperature ranges from 25 degree C to 37 degree C while the optimum temperature ranges from 30 degree C to 37 degree C. The pH of media was almost maintained at 10.5 and need not be adjusted. Wide salinity tolerance allows the cultivation even in saline water. A relative stability of their nutritional and therapeutic (provitamin A) properties allows their outdoor cultivation in saline waters up to sea-water. Wide range for temperature tolerance. Growth enhancement was observed with vitamin B sub(12) and hormones. The alga could utilize inorganic and organic phosphorus sources

Glucose and acetate enhanced cell growth and phycocyanin production of S. platensis. "Spirulina produces 200 times the protein per acre of beef cattle and ten times that of Soybeans"

Other than its use as a health food, phycobilin protein has been isolated from Spirulina for use as a diagnostic reagent. It is used as an immunomodulator and feed ingredient for many of the animals.

Large-scale cultivation experiment demonstrated that Spirulina platensis strain SCS, can be adapted to grow in seawater enriched with a commercial compound fertilizer. Mass culture of this alga is being conducted in Thailand, the United States, Formosa, Japan and other countries. Except in Japan and Formosa, a raceway type culture system is mainly used for mass cultivation. Sales of the Spirulina leapt 95 per cent in the past year, thanks to a big expansion by Cyanotech Corporation. It is now adding a further 21 acres to its 45 acres of growing area in the lava fields of Kona.

Microalgae help Hawaii double farm earnings Fish Farming International. 1996 23, no. 12, vp

Miyachi, S. 1995. Diversity of microalgae and their possible application. OECD Workshop on Environmental Impacts of Aquaculture Using Aquatic Organisms Derived through Modern Biotechnology, Trondheim (Norway), 9-11 Jun 1993. Environmental-impacts-of-aquatic-biotechnology. Paris-france OECD 1995 pp. 28-31

Chen, F.; Zhang, Y.; Guo, S. 1996. Growth and phycocyanin formation of Spirulina platensis in photoheterotrophic culture. Biotechnology Letters. 18(5) pp. 603-608

Gitelson, A.A., Laorawat, S., Keydan, G.P. and Vonshak, 1995.A. Optical properties of dense algal cultures outdoors and its application to remote estimation of biomass and pigment concentration in Spirulina platensis (cyanobacteria). J. of Phycol., 31, 828.