Abstract
Microalgae are widely utilized in commercial industries. The addition of a modified artificial medium (soil extract) could enhance their growth. Soil extract collected from the Raja Musa peat swamp and mineral soil from the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AHFR), Selangor, Malaysia, were treated using various extraction methods. Carteria radiosa PHG2-A01, Neochloris conjuncta, and Nephrochlamys subsolitaria were grown in microplates at 25 °C, light intensity 33.75 µmol photons m−2s−1 for 9 days. N. conjuncta dominated the growth in 121 °C twice extraction method AFHR samples, with 47.17% increment. The highest concentrations of ammonia and nitrate were detected in the medium with soil extract treated with 121 °C twice extraction method, yielding the concentrations of 2 mg NL−1 and 35 mg NL−1 for ammonia and nitrate of RM soil and 2 mg NL−1 and 2.85 mg NL−1 for the AH soil. These extracts are proved successful as a microalgal growth stimulant, increasing revenue and the need for enriched medium. The high rate of nutrient recovery has the potential to serve as a growth promoter for microalgae.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilIn recent years, the interest in microalgal cultivation has noticeably increased among researchers due to its nutritional values; their cultivation only started actively over the last three decades [1,2]
The Ayer Hitam soil is composed of 58.3% silt and 8.01% clay, 12% and 18.6% higher than Raja Musa soils at 50.95% silt and 6.52% clay, characterising the soil texture
Soil extracted at 105 ◦ C autoclave for 1 h, and after cooled (~30 min), soil extracted at 105 ◦ C autoclave, 1 h
Summary
The interest in microalgal cultivation has noticeably increased among researchers due to its nutritional values; their cultivation only started actively over the last three decades [1,2]. Japan was the first country to embark on microalgae cultivation in the 1960s, with Chlorella as the first microalgae cultivated for commercial application [2,3]. Microalgae have been reputed as one of the best sources in developing various products (biofuel, fodder additives, polysaccharides, dyes, food additives, unsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants) used in various industries [4]. Microalgae contribution significantly impacts industries like food and pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biofertilisers, nutraceutical, bioplastic, and aquaculture feed [5,6,7]. Are utilised as nutritional supplements or as a source of food due to their important nutritional ingredients [10,11]. iations.
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