Utilization of Fish Excreta for Algae Production

Abstract

Abstract
Algae has been existing on earth since its beginning but its prospective advantages have recently been understood and hence it is now being considered to play a major role in solving some of the most critical problems of the world. However the high cost of algae production is the biggest obstacle in making algae a mainstream candidate for the development of various products. The current study tried to reduce the cost of algae production to a certain extent by growing algae through fish excreta. The symbiotic relationship between algae and fish helped in reducing the cost of algae production. The growth of algae was measured through spectrophotometer (optical density and transmittance) and dry weight (centrifuge method and filter paper method). The algal growth through fish excreta was compared with Modified Bold’s Basal Media (MBBM) and Fog’s media. The highest optical density recorded with fish excreta is 0.258 as compared to 0.261 and 0.227 with MBBM and Fog’s media respectively. The lowest transmittance recorded with fish excreta was 49.19% as compared to 47.67 and 53.89% with MBBM and Fog’s media respectively. The average dry weight of algae from fish excreta through centrifuge method was 6.238 gl-1 as compared to 6.290 and 5.591 gl-1 obtained through MBBM and Fog’s media respectively. The average dry weight of algae from fish excreta through filter paper method was 6.386 gl-1 as compared to 6.597 and 5.886 gl-1 obtained through MBBM and Fog’s media respectively. The economic analysis of algae growth through fish excreta reduced the cost of algae production to 45% as compared to algae grown in MBBM.
Keywords: Fish excreta, algae production, bio-fuel, economic

Cite this Article
Shaishav Sharma, Singh RN. Utilization of Fish Excreta for Algae Production. Journal of Alternate Energy Sources and Technologies. 2017; 8(3): 9–17p.