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Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Review
Microalgae cultivation for treating agricultural effluent and producing value-added products
Science of the Total Environment, Vol.912, 169369
2024
Abstract
Wastewater generated within agricultural sectors such as dairies, piggeries, poultry farms, and cattle meat processing plants is expected to reach 600 million m3 yr−1 globally. Currently, the wastewater produced by these industries are primarily treated by aerobic and anaerobic methods. However, the treated effluent maintains a significant concentration of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. On the other hand, the valorisation of conventional microalgae biomass into bioproducts with high market value still requires expensive processing pathways such as dewatering and extraction. Consequently, cultivating microalgae using agricultural effluents shows the potential as a future technology for producing value-added products and treated water with low nutrient content. This review explores the feasibility of growing microalgae on agricultural effluents and their ability to remove nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus. In addition to evaluating the market size and value of products from wastewater-grown microalgae, we also analysed their biochemical characteristics including protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and pigment content. Furthermore, we assessed the costs of both upstream and downstream processing of biomass to gain a comprehensive understanding of the economic potential of the process. The findings from this study are expected to facilitate further techno-economic and feasibility assessments by providing insights into optimized processing pathways and ultimately leading to the reduction of costs.
Details
- Title
- Microalgae cultivation for treating agricultural effluent and producing value-added products
- Authors/Creators
- Arsalan AlavianghavaniniHajar Shayesteh - Murdoch UniversityParisa A. Bahri - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and WasteAshiwin Vadiveloo - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and WasteNavid Moheimani - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and Waste
- Publication Details
- Science of the Total Environment, Vol.912, 169369
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Identifiers
- 991005621370007891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Engineering and Energy; Harry Butler Institute; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences; Centre for Water, Energy and Waste; College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Algae R&D Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Review
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.171 Photoproductivity
- 3.171.477 Microalgae Biotechnology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology