Culturing "Parachlorella kessleri" on aquaponics wastewater and applications for aquaponic systems

Abstract

A potential interest on growing microalgae has emerged in the recent decades due to the wide range of applications it has on different study areas. Chlorella kessleri Fott & Naváková 1969 (=Parachlorella kessleri), a fresh water algal strain, growth has been studied in different type of cultures containing aquaponic wastewater to see the bioremediatory potential of this microalgal strain on aquaponic wastewater. Furthermore, a natural bloom was induced in a photobioreactor (PBR) and a raceway (RCW) system without CO2 input or inoculum to study the nutritional profile and fatty acids content in both systems for a possible feed production for Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) which formed part of the aquaponic system from which we obtained the aquaponic wastewater. Parachlorella kessleri showed a positive growth on aquaponic wastewater when filtered and autoclaved. Bioremediation was successfully accomplished on aquaponic water. Content of lipids and carbohydrates (CH) obtained from the organisms in the PBR and RCW systems were too high for a Tilapia feed production.