Micro-macro algal mixture as a promising agent for treating POME discharge and its potential use as animal feed stock enhancer

Abstract

Algae are well known photosynthetic organisms that are able to grow at various environmental conditions. Microalgae and macrophytes are two categories of algae generally having similar biological activities with several industrial advantages. In recent years, micro and macro algae have been increasingly used as animal fodder supplements for farm animals. The main aim of this study is to propose the micro and macroalgae obtained from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) waste water discharge as a promising low-cost-treatment and high-energy method for harvesting the nutritional supplements in order to enhance the animal feedstock production. The mixed micro and macro algal sample was collected from POME and Desa Bakti river. Then it was characterized for nutritional content as appropriate animal feed stock by diluting POME to various concentrations (0, 250, 500, 100 mg/L) in order to enhance their growth and to increase its nutritional value. It was found that a maximum of 23% COD reduction rate was obtained, while the COD concentration above 500 mg/L affected the growth of biomass. The potential use of algae as cheapest aquaculture diets can be considered to be as appropriate source for overcoming the problem of food scarcity and thereby minimizing the negative environmental impacts