USE OF OKARA WASTE FOR ALGAE NUTRITION

Abstract

Chlorella vulgaris belonging to Chlorophyta and Nannochloropsis oculata belonging to Chrytho-phyta were used in the current study to evaluate whether their successive indoor growth using in-dustrial food waste (okara) as a growth medium enriched with organic carbon and nitrogen The basic nutrient solutions were BG-II for Chlorella, while F2 was used for Nannochloropsis growth. Okara was used in four concentrations ( 25 , 50 , 75 and 100% ) verses to control and based on its initial nitrogen content. Original waste was diluted by 4 fold of tape water prior inoculation. The inves-tigated parameters were dry weigh (g.l-1); total chlorophyll (mg.l-1) and total carotenoids (mg.l-1). Maximum dry weight of Chlorella was obtained with 25% of okara waste. As for Nannochloropsis, a slight increase was observed with all okara con-centrations used. Lower okara concentration (25%) enhanced chlorophyll accumulation by Chlorella vulgaris, while higher concentration (100%) reached the maximum with Nannochloropsis ocula-ta. Completely opposite pattern was observed with total carotene.