Scenedesmus sp. Harvesting by Using Natural Coagulant after Phycoremediation of Heavy Metals in Different Concentrations of Wet Market Wastewater for Potential Fish Feeds

Najeeha Mohd Apandi, Paran Gani, Norshuhaila Mohamed Sunar, Radin Maya Saphira Radin Mohamed, Adel AlGheethi, Affah Mohd Apandi, Ramathasan Nagarajah, Noor Afifee Raihan Shaari, Kelly Cheong and Roshanida A. Rahman
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Najeeha Mohd Apandi: Sustainable Engineering Technology Research Centre (SEtechRC), Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Education Hub, Pagoh 84600, Johor, Malaysia
Paran Gani: School of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences, Quest International University, N. 227, Plaza the Teng Seng (Ground Floor), Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh 30250, Perak, Malaysia
Norshuhaila Mohamed Sunar: Research Centre for Soft Soil (RECESS), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja 86400, Johor, Malaysia
Radin Maya Saphira Radin Mohamed: Micro-Pollutant Research Centre (MPRC), Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering Built and Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja 86400, Johor, Malaysia
Adel AlGheethi: Micro-Pollutant Research Centre (MPRC), Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering Built and Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja 86400, Johor, Malaysia
Affah Mohd Apandi: Department of English Language and Linguistics, Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja 86400, Johor, Malaysia
Ramathasan Nagarajah: Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Education Hub, Pagoh 84600, Johor, Malaysia
Noor Afifee Raihan Shaari: Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Education Hub, Pagoh 84600, Johor, Malaysia
Kelly Cheong: Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Education Hub, Pagoh 84600, Johor, Malaysia
Roshanida A. Rahman: School of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-23

Abstract: The high level of organic elements and nutrients in wet market wastewater (WMW) has raised public concerns. The phycoremediation method, which utilizes microalgae, can be further valorized by converting it into various valuable potential bioproducts. The production of Scenedesmus sp. in WMW was investigated as an ingredient for fish feeds in this study. The potential of two natural plant-based coagulants, Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) and Cicer arietinum (chickpea), for harvesting microalgae Scenedesmus sp. were compared. Statistical analysis and response surface methodology were used to investigate the flocculant dosage and pH effect on harvesting efficiency. It was found that Cajanus cajan (CC) and Cicer arietinum (CA) both had a harvesting efficiency of 89.29% and 88.56%, respectively. The optimal dosage and pH for CC were 178.75 mg/L and 11.72, and for CA, they were 137.77 mg/L and 9.15. This study indicated that Scenedesmus sp. can remove heavy metals cadmium (87.24%), chromium (85.55%), and ferum (90.35%), respectively. The level of heavy metals content (μg/kg in ppb) in dry biomass was found ultimately low and did not exceed the maximum concentration set up by the European Commission Regulation. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis of microalgae biomass displayed O-H, N-H and C-H functional groups. The protein–lipid for the potential application as fish feed in the sample was 45.8–43.6% and 15–13%. Moreover, the biomass contained 53% to 40% oleic acid, which is high concentration of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). As a result, there is high potential of Scenedesmus sp. in wastewater treatment; both natural coagulants give the possibilities for efficient microalgae biomass recovery as fish feed and are applicable for improving the quality of Scenedesmus sp. cultivated in WMW.

Keywords: microalgae; natural coagulants; harvesting; response surface methodology; flocculation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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