Culturing of green photosynthetic microalgae (Chlorella sp.) using palm oil mill effluent (POME) for future biodiesel production

Abstract

Nowadays, the water pollution is leading issue due to palm oil mill effluent (POME), waste from palm oil production is a big problem to Malaysia which is largest palm oil producers. POME containing large amount of chemical oxygen demand (COD) which can cause severe pollution to the environment especially water. This present study designed for culturing green algae (Chlorella sp.) isolated from Pantai Balok, Kuantan which is most common microalgae with palm oil mill effluent (POME). Chlorella sp. was cultured using BG-11 medium with the addition of POME as experiment and without POME as control. The POME responsible for the growth of green algae is studied by measurement of the growth rate, total cell count and chemical oxygen demand (COD) for both conditions. The composition for control and experiment is also measured and determined by using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). From the results, it is observed that the total cell count and growth rate of Chlorella sp. greater in presence of POME since the green microalgae absorbs the essential nutrients from the POME as their nutrients. GCMS revealed that the difference in composition for both the conditions. Results concluded that several COD also vigorously deplete with the help of green algae digestion. Cultivation of Chlorella sp. in POME will help in future water pollution treatment.