Bioculturing of Some Filamentous Green Fresh Water Algae and their Potential Application as Fertilizer

Abstract

The research was concerned with the optimization of cultural condition for algal biomass production and its evaluation as fertilizer. Algal samples were collected from different areas of Lahore Division. Total 21 algal species belonging to 8 genera and 4 Families were collected and identified using LM and SEM. Then the effect of different media were examined. Among all the applied media Bristol soil media, labelled as M4 gave the maximum biomass of 18.6±0.02g/l .Different Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorous sources and their concentration was tested. Among all the applied Carbon sources (Glucose, Cellulose, Lactose, maltose and Sucrose), Glucose brought out to be the best source as it increases the biomass of Hydrodictyon reticulatum up to 10.3±0.021g/l, in case of Spirogyra communis biomass increase up to 6.9±0.012g/l while in the case of Microspora floccosa the biomass increased up to 6.8 ±0.02g/l at 24 day of culturing. Among all the Nitrogen sources (Ammonium sulphate, Ammonium chloride, Ammonium nitrate, Potassium nitrate and Urea) was tested. Among all the experimental sources urea brought out to be the best nitrogen source as it increases the biomass of Hydrodictyon reticulatum up to 12.5±0.14g/l at 20th day of culturing, Spirogyra communis the biomass increased up to 5.2±0.074g/l. When phosphorous and Potassium sources were applied (KNO3, K2HPO4, KH2PO4, K2CrO4 and K2Cr2O). It was noted that K2HPO4 gave the maximum biomass of 9.7±0.03 g/l biomass of H. reticulatum and for the rest of the experimental specie too. The effect of different heavy metals on biomass production was also tested and it was observed that heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, cobalt, zinc and nickel) were not proved out to be beneficiary for the biomass production. When the effect of light sources (Illuminance light, Florescent light and Diffuse light) were analyzed. It was seemed that florescent light (74umolm 2 s -1 ) proved out to be the best light source. Same as previous when effect of different temperature range (20, 25, 27, 30 and 35 0C) were tested 35 0C proved out to be the best. Different pH value 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0 and 8.5 were tested. Amid these all pH ranges 6.0, 6.5, 7.0and 7.5 assistance out to increase the H. reticulatum biomass. The proximate analysis of the selected experimental samples using five different solvents (Acetone, Chloroform, Ethanol, Methanol and water) were performed. %moisture content of 7.2% was observed in water sample by H. reticulatum , While in case of % Ash content it was observed that H. reticulatum showed the maximum %Ash content of 0.8% using Ethanol. The maximum carbohydrate content of 2.4% was noted in methanol extract of H. reticulatum. The maximum %protein 2.3. Content was exhibited by Chloroform extract of H. reticulatum. The phytochemical analysis of the algal specimen using five different solvents indicated that among all the solvents utilized Acetone extract of H. reticulatum showed the presence of maximum Phytochemical. The effect of self-formulated 21 media was analyzed, the best results (15.2±0.12g/l) were obtained from the medium S5 (leaf, algae and urea) on day 27. The results of physiochemical analysis of soil showed that Plot 1 (fertilized by algae) was overall the best. When effect of different fertilizers were analyzed it was observed that the best plant growth was observed in plot 1 (fertilized by algae). The average plant weight in plot 1 plants were 90 g. These productions indicated that mineral composition was directly correlated with the type of fertilizer used. Hence, it was demonstrated that algae as fertilizer substantiated out to be the best fertilizer as it directly influence all the growth parameters of plants. Algae as fertilizer illustration great replacement of chemical fertilizers that drastically effects both the plant and human health.