(497e) Evaluating the Effectiveness of Plantain Peel Ash Extract As Bio-Based Alkali for Inducing Flocculation of Microalgae

In this study, the flocculating potential of agricultural waste derived bio-based alkali from plantain peel ash was evaluated. The produced bio-based alkali was characterized using Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that more than 90 % harvesting efficiency of microalgae biomass were obtained for both Nannochloropsis oculata and Dunaliella salina at 1, 2 and 3 (% v/v) flocculant (bio-based alkali) dose while the maximum biomass concentration factors were 20 and 14 at 1 (% v/v) flocculant dose for N. oculata and D. salina respectively. Also, characterization results of the produced bio-based alkali indicated that the concentration of K⁺ (61630 ppm) is highest followed by Ca²⁺ (1569 ppm) and Na⁺ (582 ppm), which clearly indicate the alkaline nature of the obtained flocculant. This study shows that produced plantain peel derived alkali can be used to effectively and efficiently harvest microalgae from dilute microalgae culture medium.n this study, the flocculating potential of agricultural waste derived bio-based alkali from plantain peel ash was evaluated. The produced bio-based alkali was characterized using Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that more than 90 % harvesting efficiency of microalgae biomass were obtained for both Nannochloropsis oculata and Dunaliella salina at 1, 2 and 3 (% v/v) flocculant (bio-based alkali) dose while the maximum biomass concentration factors were 20 and 14 at 1 (% v/v) flocculant dose for N. oculata and D. salina respectively. Also, characterization results of the produced bio-based alkali indicated that the concentration of K⁺ (61630 ppm) is highest followed by Ca²⁺ (1569 ppm) and Na⁺ (582 ppm), which clearly indicate the alkaline nature of the obtained flocculant. This study shows that produced plantain peel derived alkali can be used to effectively and efficiently harvest microalgae from dilute microalgae culture medium.