Enhanced production of Scenedesmus spp. (green microalgae) using a new medium containing fermented swine wastewater

Fermented swine urine (3%) (v/v) was added to a. control medium (CT), named KEP 1, and an aquatic microalgal culture (10% Bold's Basal Medium) for growing mixed Scenedesmus species. During a two-month period, the KEP I medium effected, the delayed onset of the stationary phase of cell division in a batch culture. After 31 days, of culturing, the growth rate (3-fold), dry weight (2.6-fold) and amino acid levels (2.7-fold), and secondary metabolites including chlorophyll a (2.1-fold), astaxanthin (2.8-fold), lutein (2.7-fold) and alpha (greater than 30-fold) and beta-carotene (greater than 5-fold) increased a greater degree in Scenedesmus grown in KEP I medium than in CT medium. Total lipids were much less in cells grown in KEP I than those grown in CT. An increased quantum yield of photosystem 11 of the aquatic microalgae. The KEP I medium should improve the cost efficiency of industrial mass batch cultures for CO2 sequestration, bioremediation, phytonutrients, agricultural fertilizers, and microalgal stock for the species preservation of aquaculture strains for use in young fish feed. It may also serve to attenuate negative environmental impact via the recycling of animal wastewater. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.