Treatment of Swine Wastewater Using the Domestic Microalga Halochlorella rubescens KNUA214 for Bioenergy Production and Carotenoid Extraction
Source abstract
Abstract
The management of swine wastewater (SW) presents significant environmental challenges, requiring solutions that combine effective treatment with resource recovery. This study highlights the dual role of microalgae in wastewater remediation and bioenergy production. H. rubescens KNUA214 was cultivated in media containing varying concentrations of diluted swine wastewater (DSW; 0%, 25%, 50%, and 100%). Cultivating with Blue Green-11 (BG-11) medium + 50% DSW maximized biomass growth, the chlorophyll content, and carotenoid production. Nutrient removal efficiency in 100% DSW over 8 days demonstrated reductions of 59.3% in total nitrogen, 67.7% in ammonia nitrogen, and 40.7% in total phosphorus, confirming the species’ capacity for effective wastewater treatment. The carotenoid analysis using HPLC revealed that astaxanthin, lutein, canthaxanthin, and beta-carotene exhibited the highest levels in BG-11 + 50% DSW. Furthermore, the biomass analyses confirmed its potential for bioenergy applications, with high calorific values and significant polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations, enhancing its utility for bioenergy and biolubricant production. These findings position H. rubescens KNUA214 as an effective resource for integrating SW management with the sustainable production of high-value biochemicals, offering environmental and economic benefits.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Algal biology and biofuel production · Biodiesel Production and Applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
Blue Carbon Research Center, Bio-Resource Research Center, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
Biological Resources Research Department, Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources (NNIBR), Sangju 37242, Republic of Korea
Funding
National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) · Korean government (MSIT) · Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries · Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology · Korea Fisheries Resources Agency · Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources
References (78)
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