Role of ZnO and Fe2O3 nanoparticle on synthetic saline wastewater on growth, nutrient removal and lipid content of Chlorella vulgaris for sustainable production of biofuel

Abstract The current investigation highlighted the capability of the Chlorella vulgaris growth in the artificial wastewater with different concentration of NaCl incorporated with difference concentration of nanoparticle ZnO and Fe2O3. Chlorella vulgaris cultured with ZnO and Fe2O3 at the concentration of 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L, 20 mg/L and 50 mg/L. The characterization of the nanoparticles was performed through analytical technique. This study found that, the nutrient removal was effective on ZnO compared to Fe2O3 against total nitrogen and total phosphorous. Further, the NaCl concentration in the wastewater affects the growth of the microalgae and biofuel production. With regard to the biomass concentration, the 20 mg/L ZnO and 50 mg/L Fe2O3 reported highest yield of 2.08 g/L and 2.02 g/L. On the other hand, the maximum lipid accumulation of ZnO and Fe2O3 were 14.25 wt% and 13.8 wt%. Secondly, the procured lipids were processed through transesterification process and characterized by Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Compelling all the above it is concluded that the Chlorella vulgaris can be the suitable candidate for treatment of wastewater and production of bio-fuel.