Journal of Environmental Biology

Climate change mitigation through industrial Spirulina culture: a multifaceted approach for carbon sequestration and recovery of value added pigment phycocyanin

S.W. Belsare, S.P. Shukla*, K. Kumar, M. Xavier, G. Deshmukhe and V.S. Bharti     

ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai-400 061, India

Received: 18 June 2025                   Revised: 03 September 2025                   Accepted: 15 October 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : spshukla@cife.edu                 *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8908-8701

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the carbon sequestration potential and phycocyanin recovery from industrial Spirulina biomass, to asses its feasibility as a sustainable biorefinery model for climate mitigation and value addition.

Methodology: Monthly Spirulina biomass production and water-quality parameters were recorded for one year. Carbon content in the dry biomass was analyzed using a CHNS analyzer to estimate carbon sequestration. Phycocyanin yield and purity were determined monthly using the repeated freeze-thaw method to evaluate the economic feasibility of pigment extraction.

Results: The Spirulina biomass showed carbon content ranging from 39.96% to 46.17%, resulting in an estimated annual CO₂ sequestration of 176.04 tonnes. Biomass productivity exhibited moderate positive correlations with electrical conductivity and carbonate levels. The total annual phycocyanin yield was 2.606 tonnes, with monthly variation influenced by seasonal environmental factors.

Interpretation: This study highlights the dual benefit of phycocyanin recovery and carbon sequestration in enhancing both environmental sustainability and economic returns from Spirulina cultivation. The biorefinery approach offers up to 41% additional revenue through pigment extraction and carbon credit monetization, supporting scalable, low-emission production models. These findings demonstrate practical utility for climate change mitigation and sustainable livelihood promotion in small- to medium-scale Spirulina enterprises.

Key words: Carbon Credit, Phycocyanin, Sequestration, Spirulina, Water quality

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