Shovon Mandal

The biochemical composition of microalgae is greatly influenced by environmental conditions and the availability of nutrients, which regulate the synthesis of metabolites and the growth of biomass. Optimization of these cultivation parameters is crucial for enhancing the lipid productivity and for making microalgae a feasible commercial production of metabolites. Of particular interest is the halotolerant green alga called Dunaliella tertiolecta with regard to the commercial production of lutein and lipids. Nevertheless, there is insufficient information about the interaction of macronutrients such as nitrate and phosphate and micronutrients with respect to biomass, carotenoids and lipids. This paper discussed the interactive influences of different concentrations of potassium nitrate (KNO₃), dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K₂HPO₄) on biomass, lipids, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profile and lutein content in D. tertiolecta grown for 18 days. In addition, the feasibility of substituting conventional phosphate with low-cost rock phosphate was examined.

In the pursuit of sustainable agriculture and clean environment, nano-fertilizers are emerging as a viable alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers. This is attributed to enhanced properties of nano-fertilizer such as stable dispersion in media, and bioavailability in plants. Boron nanoparticle based formulation can be used as a fertilizer to solve challenges associated with micronutrient boron, narrowly balanced between its deficiency and toxicity in plants. In this study, boron oxide nanoparticles (nano boron) were biologically synthesized. A comparative analysis was conducted between nano boron and commercially available borax (a standard boron fertilizer) after foliar application on potato plants. The study further encompasses time series, and correlation analyses to assess the impact of nano boron on agronomic and productivity parameters. The minimized dosage of nano boron enhanced photosystem II efficiency, plant biomass, and tuber yield, outperforming conventional borax. Nano boron is a potent, minimal-input, maximum-output solution for potato productivity. This study contributes valuable insights into the field of sustainable agriculture and food production, advocating for the adoption of green nanotechnology and setting a new paradigm in resource-efficient crop cultivation. Subject terms: sustainable agriculture, nano-fertilizers, bioavailability, boron oxide nano particles, photosystem II efficiency

Marine microalgae produce a number of valuable compounds that have significant roles in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, nutraceutical, and food industries. Although there are numerous microalgal germplasms available in the marine ecosystem, only a small number of strains have been recognized for their commercial potential. In this study, several indigenous microalgal strains were isolated from the coast of the Arabian Sea for exploring the presence and production of high-value compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs are essential fatty acids with multiple health benefits. Based on their high PUFA content, two isolated strains were identified by ITS sequencing and selected for further studies to enhance PUFAs. From molecular analysis, it was found both the strains were green microalgae: one of them was a Chlorella sp., while the other was a Planophila sp. The two isolated strains, together with a control strain known for yielding high levels of PUFAs, Nannochloropsis oculata, were grown in three different nutrient media for PUFA augmentation. The relative content of α-linolenic acid (ALA) as a percentage of total fatty acids reached a maximum of 50, 36, and 50%, respectively, in Chlorella sp., Planophila sp., and N. oculata. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in exploring fatty acids in Planophila sp. The obtained results showed a higher PUFA content, particularly α-linolenic acid at low nutrients in media.

Microalgae offer a great potential to contribute significantly as renewable fuels and documented as a promising platform for algae-based bio refineries. They provide solutions to mitigate the environmental concerns posed by conventional fuel sources; however, the production of microalgal biofuels in large scale production system encounters few technical challenges. High quantity of nutrients requirements and water cost constrain the scaling up microalgal biomass to large scale commercial production. Crop protection against biomass losses due to grazers or pathogens is another stumbling block in microalgal field cultivation. With our existing technologies, unless coupled with high-value or mid-value products, algal biofuel cannot reach the economic target. Many microalgal industries that started targeting biofuel in the last decade had now adopted parallel business plans focusing on algae by-products application as cosmetic supplements, nutraceuticals, oils, natural color, and animal feed. This review provides the current status and proposes a framework for key supply demand, challenges for cost-effective and sustainable use of water and nutrient. Emphasis is placed on the future industrial market status of value added by products of microalgal biomass. The cost factor for biorefinery process development needs to be addressed before its potential to be exploited for various value-added products with algal biofuel.