Nutrients assessment of anaerobic palm oil mill effeluent (AnPOME) as an alternative media for microalgae culture

Abstract

The main aim of the present study is to investigate the availability of macronutrient and
micronutrient in AnPOME. All collected samples were analyzed using HACH method. The
results reveal that the C/N and N/P ratio of the AnPOME is six times more than the theoretical
value. Concentration of micronutrients also shown higher concentration range compared to
that of the Bold Basal Medium (BBM). However, the concentration of phosphorus in
AnPOME six times lower than nitrogen indicates that phosphorus limitation in AnPOME.
Hence, this finding suggested the best microalgae to be grown in AnPOME is mixotrophic or
heterotrophic mode. Overall, reuse of AnPOME replacing synthetic growth is highly
recommended considering that enough composition of macronutrient and micronutrient in
AnPOME and inexpensive alternative to synthetic media.

Keywords: microalgae; Anaerobic Palm Oil Mill Effluent (AnPOME); BBM; macronutrient;
micronutrient.