Enhancing Microalgae Cultivation using Biowastes as Growth Media for High Added-Value Co-Products Generation

Abstract

This paper aims to study a new growth media using cheese whey and drainage water from agriculture for indigenous microalgae cultivation for value-added product generation. In this context, four combinations are studied beside the BG11 as reference, where BG11/Cheese whey (60/40, %v/v), drainage water 100%, drainage water/Cheese whey (60/40, % v/v), and Cheese whey 100 % have been used. Moreover, investigated parameters are biomass dry weight, pH variation, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content. Results showed that used growth media have a significant impact on microaglae culture, particularly in terms of cells growth, pigment content and pH variation. Moreover, the mixture BG11/Cheese whey (60/40, %v/v) shows the best impact for total chlorophylls and carotenoids content. Likewise, the mixture cheese whey/drainage water (60/40, %v/v) presents a positive effect on pigments content. The use of cheese whey and drainage water lead to enhance the biomass and pigment production. This study showed that using agro-industrial C-rich wastes and drainage water enhanced microalgae biomass and pigment content, thus contributing to pollution abatement. This will contribute to both reducing the cost of production and resources recycling.