BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FROM AQUACULTURE WITH CHLORELLA VULGARIS UNDER DIFFERENT CARBON SOURCES

Algae are sustainable sources of biomass for fuel, food, feed and essential for their growth are light, CO2, and inorganic nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous. The aim of our study was to explore the effect of different carbon sources on biomass accumulation in microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and its ability to remove N and P compounds during its cultivation in aquaculture wastewater. Microalgae cultivation was initiated in bioreactor from 500ml Erlenmeyer flask containing 250ml wastewater from semi closed recirculation aquaculture system. The cultures were maintained at room temperature (25-27oC) on a fluorescent light with a light:dark photoperiod of 12 h: 12 h. The microalgae were cultivated in wastewater with two different carbon sources: carbon dioxide (2%, v/v), and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3 ) (1.125g.l -1 ). The growth of strain was checked for 96 hours period. In our study C. vulgaris showed better growth in wastewater from aquaculture with bicarbonate utilization as carbon source during the experiment.