Assessing the feasibility of microalgae cultivation in agricultural wastewater: The nutrient characteristics

This study investigated the feasibility of microalgae cultivation using palm oil mill effluent (POME). The availability of nutrient was assessed as well as the components and solubility of those nutrients in POME. The growth of native and commercial strains was evaluated based on their specific growth rate (mu) and biomass production. Characterization of POME shows high concentration of three essential nutrients; carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) at 2364 mg L-1, 385 mg L-1 and 106 mg L-1 respectively. Crucially, more than 80% of C and N along with 72% of P were in soluble form, thus readily available for microalgae assimilation. Major constitute of N and P were ammonium and phosphate respectively, suitably the preferred form by the microalgae. A native strain, Chlorella sorokiniana produced the highest growth with mu of 0.24 day(-1). Interestingly, Chlorella sorokiniana obtained from commercial source produced comparable result with mu of 0.23 day(-1). High concentration of nutrient in POME has resulted in productive accumulation of biomass with both Chlorella sorokiniana species produced more than 100 mg L-1 day(-1). Outcome from this study indicated that POME is much suitable option for microalgae cultivation for subsequent production of valuable biomass. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.