Isolation of a freshwater microalgae and its application for the treatment of wastewater and obtaining fatty acids from tilapia cultivation

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2020-08, Vol.27 (23), p.28575-28584
• Main Authors: Morando-Grijalva, Cristina América, Vázquez-Larios, Ana Line, Alcántara-Hernández, Rocio Jetzabel, Ortega-Clemente, Luis Alfredo, Robledo-Narváez, Paula Natalia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advances in Environmental Biotechnology and Engineering 2018; Aeration; Algae; Algal growth; Aquaculture; Aquaculture effluents; Aquatic microorganisms; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biodiesel fuels; Biofuels; Biomass; Chlamydomonas; Chlorella; Chlorella vulgaris; Cultivation; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Fatty acids; Lipids; Microalgae; Nutrient concentrations; Nutrient content; Palmitic acid; Photobioreactors; Tilapia; Waste Water Technology; Wastewater treatment; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08308-z

In the present study, isolated strains of the microalgae Chlamydomonas sp. (CH) and Chlorella vulgaris (CV) were used to treat aquaculture wastewater and to obtain fatty acids and from a fattening culture of tilapia. The microalgae were cultivated for 11 days in tubular photobioreactors with an operating volume of 2 L, constant aeration and illumination. High removal rates of NO 3 − and PO 4 3− were achieved for both Chlamydomonas sp. (84.7% and 96%, respectively) and Chlorella vulgaris (94.6 and 97.9%, respectively). The maximum biomass productivity achieved by Chlamydomonas sp. was 0.06 and 0.10 gL −1 d −1 for Chlorella vulgaris . Therefore, tilapia wastewater contained the necessary nutrient concentration for algal growth and development. Chlamydomonas sp. biomass lipid content was 69%, while that of Chlorella vulgaris was 40%. The lipid profile of both microalgae was abundant in palmitic acid (78% for Chlamydomonas sp. and 35% for Chlorella vulgaris ). This fatty acid is suitable for biodiesel production. Tilapia wastewater is low-cost alternative culture medium as it contains the necessary nutrient concentration for microalgae development and growth.