Accumulation of selenium and chromium in the growth dynamics of spirulina platensis

The dynamics of accumulation of Se(IV) and Cr(III) in Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) cells was studied using epithermal neutron activation analysis. The effect of Se(IV) and Cr(III) apart and together on growth and morphology of S. platensis cells is discussed. It was established that accumulation of Cr is more intensive than that of Se. As follows from the results obtained, the simultaneous loading of Se and Cr affects the biomass growth dynamics of S. platensis without changing its morphology and protein content. This finding serves the ground for developing the pharmaceuticals based on Se and Cr enriched biomass. (author)