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From waste to wealth: coupling different nutritional modes of Scenedesmus obliquus for waste remediation and algal product development
,
Jose Gayo Pelaez,
FLEURIANE FERNANDES,
Claudio Fuentes-Grünewald,
Rahul Vijay Kapoore,
Kam Tang
Journal of Applied Phycology
Swansea University Authors:
Alla Silkina , Jose Gayo Pelaez, FLEURIANE FERNANDES, Kam Tang
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DOI (Published version): 10.1007/s10811-024-03438-0
Abstract
This study exploited the different combinations of nutritional modes (autotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic) of the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus in a two-stage cultivation process to remediate wastes as well as maximise the production of high-protein algal biomass. The alga was first cultiva...
| Published in: | Journal of Applied Phycology |
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| ISSN: | 0921-8971 1573-5176 |
| Published: |
Springer Nature
2025
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68668 |
| Abstract: |
This study exploited the different combinations of nutritional modes (autotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic) of the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus in a two-stage cultivation process to remediate wastes as well as maximise the production of high-protein algal biomass. The alga was first cultivated autotrophically in Stage-one, using 0.5% of digestate as a nutrient source and natural light to support the growth; afterward, the culture was concentrated and used in Stage-two cultivation under the different nutritional modes. 2.5% of anaerobic digestate from food waste was used to provide inorganic nutrients; waste sugar recovered from a confectionery manufacturer was used as the organic carbon source to support mixo- and hetero-trophic growth. In Stage-one, the algae removed ammonium and phosphate at 9.1 mg L−1 day−1 and 3.8 mg L−1 day−1, respectively, and the algal yield approached a carrying capacity of 1 g dry weight per liter. In Stage-two, the algal population increased faster in mixotrophic and heterotrophic modes, reaching a final dry weight concentration of 7.2–10.5 g L−1, than in autotrophic mode. Ammonium and phosphate were consumed at about twice the rate as in autotrophic mode, and 90–100% of the waste sugar was removed within 48–72 h. The final algal biomass had a protein content of 44% in mixotrophic mode, compared to only 32% in autotrophic mode. This study demonstrated that a two-stage cultivation process coupling autotrophic and mixotrophic growth of S. obliquus can be used to remediate both inorganic and organic wastes and boost the production of protein-rich algal biomass, which can be beneficial to a sustainable circular bioeconomy. |
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| Keywords: |
Microalgae; Chlorophyta; Mixotrophy; Waste remediation; Anaerobic digestate; Sugar; Circular economy |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
This work was funded by the Interreg North West European Regional development fund, project NWE520 ALG-AD. |