Optimization of industrial chemical culture medium for the cultivation of a microalgal consortium with the application of biological fertilizer

Subject Areas : microalgae

Sasan Ghobadian ¹ (1- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran)
ندا سلطانی ² (2- Department of Research and Development, Afaghzist Company)
Pirooz Shokri Khatibi ³ (Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran)

Received: 2024-03-03 Accepted : 2024-06-13 Published : 2024-09-23

Keywords: Optimization of cultivation, microalgae cultivation, chlorophyll, organic fertilizer, BG11 culture medium, specific growth rate,

Abstract :

With a look at the fundamental concepts of sustainable development, the increasing need for food resources alongside the environmental hazards of using chemical fertilizers highlights the necessity of producing organic fertilizers, especially utilizing microalgae as efficient biological cellular factories. In this study, seeking to enhance productivity for the commercial cultivation of an algae consortium (parallel research have proved its significant role in the growth and development of agricultural products), optimization of the BG11 culture medium was considered based on four combinations of K2HPO4, NaCl, CaCl2 and FeNH4Cit. The response surface methodology was employed to design the factors and analyze the responses. Dry weights on days 4, 8, 11 and 15 of cultivation were measured; Specific growth rates and chlorophyll levels calculation were accompanied. The maximum dry weight of 1.15 mg/L was obtained in the experimental group with the lowest salinity, while other factors fluctuated within intermediate ranges. The strong interaction of nutrients and the sensitivity of specific growth rates to this interaction were evident. The highest chlorophyll levels were achieved with intermediate levels of K2HPO4 alongside the lowest levels of other factors. Based on the results, maintaining balance among the components appears to be more effective than consuming higher amounts of them. By leveraging this balance, it is possible to achieve the desired economic savings in cultivation costs through reduced consumption and increased productivity.

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