Work

Interaction effects between light quality and anaerobically digested palm oil mill effluent drives carotenoid and micronutrient accumulation in Chlorella sorokiniana

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Microalgae are vital for commercial nutraceuticals, with research focused on optimizing their productivity. This study explores a novel strategy to enhance Chlorella sorokiniana 's nutraceutical potential by combining light-quality manipulation and digested palm oil mill effluent (D-POME) supplementation. The effects of white, red, and blue light and D-POME on calcium, magnesium, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein were analyzed. Light quality and D-POME concentration significantly influenced all micronutrient yields except for calcium (p < 0.05). D-POME with blue light increased biomass and magnesium content by 1.4 times as compared to white light, while 50 % D-POME enhanced carotenoids only under red light, favouring lutein (5.8 μg/g DW) and beta-carotene (89.57 μg/g DW). Blue light best promoted biomass growth (0.28 g/L), and intracellular magnesium (1.73 mg/L) whilst calcium content and zeaxanthin content is comparable with white light. This study introduces a sustainable microalgae cultivation approach by repurposing D-POME, reducing waste, and minimizing external inputs, while also demonstrating wavelength-specific nutrient enhancement strategies for optimized nutraceutical production. • Light-and D-POME interactions in microalgae cultivation tunes for nutraceutical type. • Addition of D-POME boosts biomass under blue light and white light up to 2.7 times but inhibits it under red light. • Blue light with 25 % and 50 % addition of D-POME significantly boosts magnesium uptake by 41 % and 21 % increase respectively. • Red light with 50 % D-POME boosts beta-carotene and lutein (p < 0.01), while blue light enhances zeaxanthin (p < 0.01). • Trade-off between biomass and desired nutrient can be tuned using light quality.

Source: Biomass and Bioenergy

DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.108667

Authors: Samantha Yee Mun On, Nicholas Mun Hoe Khong, Wee Sim Choo, Yen Wah Tong, Sheetal Kishor Parakh, Su Chern Foo

Institutions: Monash University Malaysia, National University of Singapore

Language: English

Topic: Algal biology and biofuel production

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,270