Abstract
In the present study, a comprehensive approach to the biosorption process was proposed. Biosorption of Cr(III), Mn(II) and Mg(II) ions by a freshwater macroalga Cladophora glomerata was examined using several advanced techniques including FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometry) and SEM-EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy). The enriched biomass can become a valuable, bioactive feed additive for different breeds of animals. Additionally, the collected algal biomass was soaked in water in order to reduce the content of carbohydrate, what is especially important for animals with metabolic disorders. The content of starch was reduced by 22% but additionally some elements–mainly Si, K and P were removed from the biomass. It was shown that the natural macroalga had better biosorption properties than soaked. Cr(III) ions were sorbed by the biomass in the highest extent, then Mn(II) and finally Mg(II) ions. The content of chromium in the enriched algal biomass increased almost ~200 000 times, manganese ~75 times and magnesium ~4.5 times (both for Mg(II) ions used from magnesium sulphate, as well as from magnesium chloride) when compared to the natural Cladophora glomerata. In the case of the soaked biomass the increase of the content of elements in the enriched biomass was as follows ~17 165 times for Cr, ~25 times for Mn and for Mg ~3.5 times for chloride and 3.8 times for sulphate. The type of magnesium salt (chloride or sulphate) had no significant effect on the algal sorption capacity. The proposed mechanism of the biosorption is ion exchange in which mainly potassium participated. The applied FTIR analysis enabled the identification of the functional groups that participated in the biosorption process–mainly carboxyl and hydroxyl. The main changes in the appearance of the spectra were observed for the following wavenumbers– 3300–3400; 2900; 1700; 1400–1500 and 1200–1300 cm-1. The application of SEM-EDX proved that the metal ions were sorbed on the surface of both tested algae.
Highlights
Nowadays, the novel feeding strategies that will improve animals production, as well as their health are developed and implemented
The binding of Cr(III), Mn(II) and Mg(II) ions by the algal biomass was associated with the ion exchange with mainly K(I), Na(I), Ca(II) for all tested ions and with Mg(II) for Cr(III) and Mn(II) ions biosorption. For both macroalgae–natural (CO) and soaked (SCA), potassium was the main light metal ion that participated in the ion exchange in biosorption process (Tables 3 and 4)
Because they are recognized as insulin sensitizers, which in turn in the form of the enriched biomass can serve as a potential clinical feed additive for horses that suffer from EMS
Summary
The novel feeding strategies that will improve animals production, as well as their health are developed and implemented. A series of promising innovations and practices in feed production and feeding includes a balanced and phased feeding, the increase of the quality and level of use of forages in diets, reduction of grains use, a targeted mineral feeding etc. There are several promising new feed resources, rich in biologically active compounds, that can be used as feed additives for animals. Most of the attention is paid to marine macroalgae, freshwater algae, being the result of eutrophication of water reservoirs, are a rich source of biologically active compounds, such as unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins, phenolic compounds, minerals, carotenoids, vitamins etc., and can constitute a very useful raw material for nutritional applications [3, 4]. The proposed approach is consistent with the concept of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) of the sustainable animal diet, “which integrates the importance of efficient use of natural resources, protection of the environment, socio-cultural benefits and ethical integrity” [2]
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