Six Sigma Methodology in Increasing Spirulina Production

This work presents results of improvement in the productivity of Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) in a company dedicated to its production. The six sigma methodology was applied in production processes that require the use of bioreactors. Starting from the analysis of the current state, aspects, physical and chemical variables that directly influence the productivity achieved were identified. Various culture media were tested and subsequently scaled for industrial production. In addition, the incorporation of carbon into the culture medium was controlled, optimizing the range of potential hydrogen pH. The identified parameters were measured and six sigma methodology strategies were assigned. An improvement in productivity corresponding to 66% was verified with the same quality of final product. Keywords: Six sigma, Bioreactors, Productivity, Arthrospira platensis. References [1]E. Ariawan and A. Makalew, “Smart Micro Farm: Sustainable Algae Spirulina Growth Monitoring System” in 10th International Conference on Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ICITEE), Bali, 2018, pp.1-4. [2]L. Socconini and C. Reato, Lean six sigma: sistema de gestion para liderar empresas. Primera edicion. Barcelona: Marge Books, 2019. [3]H. Gutierrez, Calidad and productividad. Cuarta edicion. Mexico D.F.: McGraw-Hill Interamericana, 2014. [4]G. Usharani, P. Saranraj and D. Kanchana, “Spirulina Cultivation: A Review” in International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archives, vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 1327-1336, December 2012. [5]J. Udin, O. Gani, A. Mahato, I. Sakib and M. Rakiuzzaman, SPIRULINA (Spirulina platensis) PRODUCTION IN DIFFERENT PHOTOBIOREACTORS ON ROOFTOP, International Journal of Business, Social and Scientific Research, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 15-19, January 2020. [6]M. Arredondo, Contabilidad y analisis de costos. Primera edicion. Mexico D.F.: Grupo Editorial Patria, 2015. [7]J. Garcia, Contabilidad de costos. Cuarta edicion. Mexico D.F.: McGraw-Hill Interamericana, 2014. [8]L. Socconini, Certificacion Lean Six Sigma Green Belt para la excelencia en los negocios. Primera edicion. Barcelona: Marge Books, 2015. [9]A. Vian, Introduccion a la Quimica Industrial. Segunda edicion. Buenos Aires: Reverte, 2012. [10]S. Milton, Estadistica para Biologia y Ciencias de la Salud. Tercera edicion. Madrid: McGraw-Hill Interamericana, 2014.