Spirulina platensis ZBK-2

History of Receipt and Isolation

• Country of origin: Republic of Kazakhstan
• Place of isolation: Lake Balkhash
• Habitat: saline aquatic ecosystem.
• Isolator(s): B.K. Zayadan, A.K. Toktybay & et al at the Biotechnology Laboratory of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
• Year of accession to the collection: 2022.
• Method of obtainment: Isolated from an enrichment culture obtained from a natural sample by sequential microbiological streaking
• Genetic features: Wild type (WT)
• Strain condition: Axenic

Morphology and Structure

The cells exhibit a filamentous mode of organization. Trichomes are multicellular, helically coiled, unbranched, and occur as individual filaments. Cells are cylindrical in shape and possess a characteristic blue-green pigmentation. The trichome width typically ranges from 5 to 10 μm, while the filament length may reach several hundred micrometers depending on the degree of coiling and cultivation conditions. Based on cell dimensions, the strain belongs to the group of medium-sized microorganisms (2–20 μm). The culture does not form colonies; vegetative cells are arranged within trichomes. Heterocysts and akinetes are absent.

Cultivation

• culture medium: Zarrouk mineral medium (liquid and agar-solidified)
• temperature: 28–30 °C
• light intensity: 50 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹
• photoperiod: 16 h light / 8 h dark
• pH: 8.5–9.5.

Physiological Characteristics

An alkaliphilic and halophilic strain.

Long-term Preservation Conditions

maintained on liquid and agar-solidified (1.5–2.0%) Zarrouk mineral medium. Storage conditions include a temperature of 20–25 °C, a light intensity of 50 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹, and a light/dark cycle of 12:12 h or 16:8 h. To maintain culture viability and stability, subculturing onto fresh medium is performed every 30–45 days.

Deposition Information

Certificate of Deposit No. 09/12-454, issued in 2023 in the Republican Collection of Microorganisms of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Collection number: RKM-1064

Genetic Information

GenBank accession № PV883099

Field of Application

Utilized in fundamental research and biotechnology.

Bibliography

Тоқтыбай А.К., Салауат Д., Болатхан К., Сандыбаева С.К., Ахметова Г.А., Құрметхан Ә.Қ., Санатов С.С., Hrouzek P., Заядан Б.К. Балқаш көлінің тұзды бөлігінің альгофлора құрамын зерттеу және фототрофты микроорганизмдердің аксеникалық дақылдарын бөліп алу // Eurasian Journal of Ecology. – 2026. – Т. 86, № 1. – Б. 80–97. – DOI: 10.26577/EJE86120267.

Patents and Other Intellectual Property

Available.

• Zayadan B.K., Toktybay A.K., Bolatkhan K., Inelova Z.A., Sandybayeva S.K., Kakimova A.B., Salauat D. Spirulina platensis ZBK-2 cyanobacterial strain used as a source for phycocyanin production : Utility Model Patent of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 11800, published February 20, 2026.