Production of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis Enriched in β-Glucans through Phosphorus Limitation

(1) Background: Arthrospira (commonly known as Spirulina) is an edible cyanobacterium that produced worldwide a food supplement owing to its high nutritional value. displays strong potential important ingredient in the development of novel functional foods. Polysaccharides from are biologically active compounds and hence there interest producing biomass rich carbohydrates. (2) Methods: A. platensis was cultivated under different degrees phosphorus limitation order trigger accumulation The then characterized terms content α- β-glucans, total dietary fiber monosaccharide profile. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) used for rapid analysis main components. (3) Results: Phosphorus resulted increase carbohydrates (from 23% up 65% dry biomass) which 4–12% (in relation α-glucans 20–34% 1.3:1.6 while 1.4:1.6 β-glucans were not detected. Total fibers ranged 20–32% (of biomass), whereas among carbohydrates, predominant glucose (>95%). FTIR performed well when applied prediction tool (4) Conclusions: Since particular compounds, this study demonstrates phosphorus-limited could be