The Effect of Mixed Wastewaters on the Biomass Production and Biochemical Content of Microalgae

Abstract

The effect of ammonia and iron concentration in Bold Basal Medium and mixed wastewater (including pretreated piggery wastewater and acid mine drainage) on biomass production and biochemical content (lipid and ß-carotene) of microalgae (Uronema sp. KGE 3) was investigated. Addition of iron to the Bold Basal Medium enhanced the growth, lipid, and ß-carotene of Uronema sp. KGE 3. The highest dry cell weight, lipid content, and lipid productivity of KGE 3 were 0.551 g L−1, 46% and 0.249 g L−1 d−1, respectively, at 15 mg L−1 of Fe. The highest ß-carotene was obtained at 30 mg L−1 of Fe. The biomass production of KGE 3 was ranged between 0.18 to 0.37 g L−1. The microalgal growth was significantly improved by addition of acid mine drainage to pretreated piggery wastewater by membrane. The highest dry cell weight of 0.51 g L−1 was obtained at 1:9 of pretreated piggery wastewater by membrane and acid mine drainage for KGE 3. The removal efficiencies of total nitrogen and total phosphate was ranged from 20 to 100%. The highest lipid and ß-carotene content was found to be 1:9. Application of this system to wastewater treatment plant could provide cost effective technology for the microalgae-based industries and biofuel production field, and also provide the recycling way for pretreated piggery wastewater and acid mine drainage.

Keywords

• microalgae
• acid mine drainage
• microalgae culture
• lipid
• ß-carotene