Current advances in phytoremediation and biochemical composition of Arthrospira (Spirulina) grown in aquaculture wastewater

Inadequate wastewater management can cause negative impacts on the ecosystem, becoming an obstacle to aquaculture growth. New technologies have been developed to reduce the nutrient load in aquaculture wastewater involving microalgae as phytoremediation agents. In addition to reducing the nutrient load of water bodies, the microalgae-based phytoremediation can also generate high-added value biomass. Arthrospira (Spirulina) is a little-explored genus as a phytoremediation agent for aquaculture wastewater, representing about 30% of the biomass produced in the world that is known for its high concentration of proteins, carotenoids and phycocyanin. Using the aquaculture wastewater is an important strategy to reduce the production costs, obtain high-added value biomolecules and mitigate the effects of wastewater on the aquatic ecosystem. However, there are few reports of Arthrospira sp. as a remediation agent for aquaculture wastewater that assesses the biochemical composition. This manuscript aimed to review the cellular mechanisms of phytoremediation and the biochemical composition of Arthrospira currently described when grown in aquaculture wastewater.

Automated summary

Inadequate wastewater management can cause negative impacts on the ecosystem, becoming an obstacle to aquaculture growth. New technologies have been developed to reduce the nutrient load in aquaculture wastewater involving microalgae as phytoremediation agents.