Microalage are broadly recognized as promising agents for sustainable wastewater treatment and biomass generation. However, industrial effluents such as petroleum refinery wastewater (WW) present challenges due to toxic growth inhibiting substances. Three marine microalgae species: Pseudochloris wilhelmii, Nannochloropsis gaditana and Synechococcus sp. MK568070 were examined for cultivation potential in oil refinery WW. Their performance was evaluated in terms of growth dynamics, lipid productivity, and toxicity reduction, with a focus on their suitability for largescale industrial use. N. gaditana demonstrated the highest growth rate and lipid content (37% d.w.) as well as lipid productivity (29.45 mg/(Lday)) with the N-uptake rate of 0.698 mmol/(gday). The highest specific DIN uptake rate was observed inn P. wilhelmii (0.895 mmol/(gday) along with the highest volumetric productivity (93.9 mg/L/day) and WW toxicity removal (76.5%), while Synechococcus sp. MK568070 demonstrated lower performance metrics. A simple numerical model was applied to calculate continuous operation based on empirical results of batch experiments. Sustainability of the microalgae-based WW remediation under the conditions of optimized lipid biomass production was estimated, regarding 2019–2022–2025 cost dynamics. Parameters for optimum open raceway pond cultivation were calculated, and the biomass production accumulation was estimated, with the highest biomass production noted in P. wilhelmii (171.38 t/year). Comparison of treatment costs, production costs and revenue showed that the best candidate for WW remediation is N. gaditana.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth, fatty acid profile and concentration of malondialdehyde of muscle tissue of meagre Argyrosomus regius fed diets with different lipid content. The long-term experiment was conducted in three feeding groups: A (CP = 52.0; CL = 21.0), B (CP = 56.0; CL = 18.0), C (CP = 48.0; CL = 16.0) with two replicates in marine net cages on Bisage Island, Adriatic Sea over 20 months. At the beginning of the experiment, fish were of equal weight (6.83 ± 1.03 g) and length (8.57 ± 0.49 cm) and were fed to satiation during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the fish from each feeding group (n = 110) were measured and muscle tissue was collected (n = 60) and stored at −80 °C until analysis. The final weight and condition factor were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups. The highest ratio of crude fats and n-3/n-6-fatty acids was found in the muscle tissue of group A. Fish fed diet A also exhibited higher MDA levels compared to fish in the other feeding groups, indicating elevated levels of lipid peroxidation in muscle tissues. Experimental feeding group A showed better growth performance, a higher content of the beneficial fatty acids EPA and DHA and a more favorable n-3/n-6 ratio than feeding groups B and C. Continuously monitoring and adjusting feeding protocols in accordance with lipid content and fatty acid composition could maximize growth and health outcomes in meagre farming.
The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between membrane-regulating functional lipids of three fucacean species and their associated epiphytic bacterial communities. The analyzed algae Treptacantha barbata, Carpodesmia crinita and Cystoseira compressa, formerly classified under the Cystoseira genus, are indigenous to the Adriatic Sea. The thalli of sampled Fucales species were divided into perennial and annual parts. T. barbata and C. crinita show high contents of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids but, however, show a clear distinction between branches, cauloids and apical parts. Along with the highest unsaturation degree (4.32), the C. crinita branches and apical parts demonstrated high proportion of both C18 and C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids, with eicosapentaenoic (C20:5 n-3) and arachidonic (C20:4 n-6) fatty acids up to 5.46% and 13.82%, respectively. The highest proportion of saturated fatty acids was found in thalli of C. compressa, particularly on cauloids and old branches (≥90%). The similarity profile routine analysis of fatty acids and microbial community structure has shown clear separation of the cauloids and apical parts from the branches of C. crinita and T. barbata. Based on the nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis several representatives of the Gammaproteobacteria class, identified as Vibrionales (Vibrio), Cellvibrionales and Xanthomonadales, which contributed strongly to the separation of T. barbata apical parts and branches, C. compressa receptacles and C. crinita branches from the T. barbata cauloids and C. crinita apical parts and cauloids. The highest richness in polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular C18:3(n-3), C20:4(n-6) and C20:5(n-3), was observed on branches, accompanied by a distinctive epiphytic microbial structure dominated by numerous representatives with potentially beneficial biological activity. The results showed a strong relationship between fatty acid profiles of the analyzed species and phycosphere community structure, underlining the host physiological condition in shaping the biological interactions and maintaining a healthy microbiome, as well as compiling the ecophysiological and molecular research in order to better assess the resilience of the ecosystem.