Density, growth and biochemical composition of Tetraselmis tetrathele cultured in molasse and beer wastewater as media

Wastewaters contain nutrients that can be used as culture media for microalgae. In this study, density, growth, and biochemical compositions (protein, lipid and carbohydrates) of Tetraselmis tetrathele were investigated using mollasse and beer wastewater. A completely randomized experimental design was performed containing treatments; Conway, mollasse, and beer wastewater in two concentrations of diluted (5 ml per liter of culture medium, v/v), and concentrated (10 ml per liter of culture medium, v/v) over a 11-day period. The highest cell density was obtained in the concentrated mollasse treatment (96.7×103 cells per ml) and the highest specific growth rate obtained in the dilute Conway treatment (15.5 per day). In addition, the highest amount of protein and lipid (39.5% and 8.1%, respectively) was measured in the concentrated beer treatment and the lowest recorded in the concentrated Conway treatment (10.70% and 2.98%, respectively). The highest amount of carbohydrates (28.92%) was obtained in diluted mollasse treatment. Therefore, based on the results of growth rate and biochemical compositions of T. tetrathele, it can be concluded that the beer and mollasse wastes are suitable media for growth of T. tetrathele..