A New Biofertilizer Formulation with Enriched Nutrients Content from Wasted Algal Biomass Extracts Incorporated in Biogenic Powders

Fran Nekvapil, Iolanda-Veronica Ganea, Alexandra Ciorîță, Razvan Hirian, Sanja Tomšić, Ildiko Melinda Martonos and Simona Cintă Pinzaru
Additional contact information
Fran Nekvapil: Ioan Ursu Institute, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Iolanda-Veronica Ganea: Physics of Nanostructured Systems Department, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Alexandra Ciorîță: Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Razvan Hirian: Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Advanced Technologies, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Sanja Tomšić: Department of Applied Marine Ecology, University of Dubrovnik, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Ildiko Melinda Martonos: Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Simona Cintă Pinzaru: Ioan Ursu Institute, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: Raw algae waste naturally thrown on shores could pose serious threats for landfilling and its reuse for composting or further processing as added-value by-products require knowledge-based decisions and management for the sustainable development of local ecosystems. Raw marine waste containing salt (halite) and heavy metals that eventually accumulate in algae hamper their safe applicability in soil fertilization or in other exploitations. Here, the suitability of algal biomass for use as an environmentally safe fertilizer was investigated, thereby supporting sustainable coastal management. The simple extraction of the dry algal biomass of three abundant Mediterranean species, Enteromorpha intestinalis , Corallina elongata , and Gelidium pulchellum , in water containing sodium carbonate resulted in a greenish extract containing a reduced heavy metals content, and nutrients such as K + , PO 4 3− , SO 4 2− , NO 3 − , Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ . UV-Vis and Raman techniques, including surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), were employed for the fast evidencing of polyphenols, carotenoids, and chlorophylls in the extracts content, while E. intestinalis extract additionally exhibited polysaccharide signals. Heavy metals analysis showed that the major metals in the extracts were Fe, Ni, Zn, and Cu; however, their levels were an order of magnitude lower than in the dry biomass. The extracts also showed a mild antibacterial effect. The combination option of aqueous extracts with powdered crustacean shells to obtain a novel, eco-friendly, solid biofertilizer complex was further shown, which could be pelleted for convenient use. The immersion of solid biofertilizer pellets in water is accompanied by re-solubilization of the compounds originating from algae extracts, presenting the opportunity for dry storage and easier handling and land applicability. In summary, aqueous extracts of marine algae waste present an environmentally safe and attractive way to recycle excessive algal biomass and to formulate a new, eco-friendly biofertilizer complex.

Keywords: biofertilizer; algal biomass; aqueous extracts; environmental legislation; UV/Vis; surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy; heavy metals; antibacterial effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/16/8777/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/16/8777/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8777-:d:609276

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().