The Breeding of Arthrospira platensis Mutants with Good Quality and High Yield Induced by Space Flight

Arthrospira platensis mutant PNK-2 has been induced by space flight. PNK-2, with good quality and high yield, is suitable for outdoor large scale production. Compared with the initial ST-6, the helix number of PNK-2 was 12∼18; the average length of algae body, thread pitch, helix width, diameter of trichome and the rate of large-scale production were 764.31μm, 52.98μm, 18.75μm, 6.02μm and 10g·(m2·d)-1, respectively, representing increase rates of 166.52%, 5.88%, 8.19%, 12.31% and 22.89%, respectively. The content of protein, chlorophyll, β-Carotene and phycocyanin in PNK-2 were 69.57%, 1.01%, 0.16% and 14.70%, respectively, with respectively raising rates of 8.31%, 8.60%, 6.67% and 6.68%. The γ-linolenic acid content of PNK-2, at 0.63%, was reduced by 3.08%. The results showed that PNK-2 was a new A. platensis strain with good quality and high yield. (author)