Effect of α-Fe۲O۳ nanoparticle supplementation on Chlorella Sorokiniana performance: wastewater bioremediation capability and gene expression

Microalgae have been receiving growing attention for bioremediation of wastewater due to their multi-applications of CO۲ bio-fixation, high value bio-products generation and biofuel production. In this study, we investigated the impact of α-Fe۲O۳ nanoparticles (NPs) addition to real municipal wastewater (RMWW) on bioremediation ability of Chlorella sorokiniana. According to the results, ۱۰ mg/L of α-Fe۲O۳ NPs increased the maximum biomass concentrations and productivity of C. sorokiniana from ۱ to ۱.۲۷ g/L and from ۰.۱۸ (at day ۴) to ۰.۳۳ (at day ۳) m/g/d, respectively. It was observed that the nutrients uptake ability of C. sorokiniana cells was also improved approximately ۱۰% by RWMM pre-treatment with ۱۰ mg/L after α-Fe۲O۳ nanoparticles. The gene analysis revealed that the expression of rbcL and rccD genes were increased after α-Fe۲O۳ nanoparticles supplementation. These genes are well known for lipid production and photosynthetic activities suggesting better nutrient consumptions by the microalgal cells through Calvin cycle. Our finding suggested that wastewater supplementation with α-Fe۲O۳ NPs can significantly improve C. sorokiniana performance in particular bioremediation ability of microalgae.

Keywords:

Microalgae , Wastewater , Bioremediation , gene expression