Enhancement of Lipid Production of Scenedesmus obliquus Cultivated in Municipal Wastewater by Plant Growth Regulator Treatment

Abstract

Effects of four different plant growth regulators including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-triacontanol (TRIA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) on biomass and lipid productivity of microalga Scenedesmus obliquus cultured in municipal wastewater were primarily studied. The results showed that the lipid productivity of S. obliquus was significantly increased by 30.5 and 23.6% after the treatment by IAA and TRIA, respectively. According to the GC analysis of the lipids, the addition of IAA and TRIA could increase the content of monounsaturated fatty acid in S. obliquus, and thus improving the grade of biodiesel. After the addition of IAA and TRIA, the nitrogen content of S. obliquus significantly decreased, while bacterial diversity in wastewater increased, which could enhance the stability of microbial system in the wastewater medium. Meanwhile, significant increase were also found in the abundances of β-Proteobacteria and α-Proteobacteria.