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Microalgae growth on concentrated human urine

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Abstract

In this study, for the first time, a microalga was grown on non-diluted human urine. The essential growth requirements for the species Chlorella sorokiniana were determined for different types of human urine (fresh, hydrolysed, male and female). Batch experimental results using microtiter plates showed that both fresh and synthetic urine supported rapid growth of this species, provided additional trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) were added. When using hydrolysed urine instead of fresh urine, additional magnesium had to be added as it precipitates during hydrolysis of urea. C. sorokiniana was able to grow on non-diluted urine with a specific growth rate as high as 0.104 h−1 under light-limited conditions (105 μmol photons m−2 s−1), and the growth was not inhibited by ammonium up to a concentration of 1,400 mg NH4 +-N L−1. The highest growth rate on human urine was as high as 0.158 h−1. Because it was demonstrated that concentrated urine is a rich and good nutrient source for the production of microalgae, its application for a large-scale economical and sustainable microalgae production for biochemicals, biofuels and biofertilizers becomes feasible.

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Acknowledgments

The project is financially supported by Innowater funding provided by the Dutch Department of Economic Affairs. The Ph.D. student is financially granted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Kanjana Tuantet, Hardy Temmink, Grietje Zeeman & Cees J. N. Buisman

  2. Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Marcel Janssen & René H. Wijffels

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  1. Kanjana Tuantet
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  2. Marcel Janssen
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  3. Hardy Temmink
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  4. Grietje Zeeman
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  5. René H. Wijffels
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  6. Cees J. N. Buisman
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Correspondence to Kanjana Tuantet.

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Tuantet, K., Janssen, M., Temmink, H. et al. Microalgae growth on concentrated human urine. J Appl Phycol 26, 287–297 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0108-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0108-2

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