Cultivation of Galdieria Sulphuraria for Sustainable Agro-Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Agro-food industries are one of the main source of high quality wastes suitable to be collected and valorized as racommended in the H2020 orizon. Microalgae represent a promising biomass for food waste utilization to produce high value biomass. Galdieria sulphuraria was grown heterotrophically on standard medium (GS) and on candied cherry wastewaters (Sugar + sulfites) (GC). Ecotoxicity, productivity and nutrient removal efficiency were evaluated during cultivation trials. Resulting biomass was analyzed  in terms of biochemical composition and antioxidant activity. After 19 days of culture, the removal efficiency of GC was 87.2% for nitrogen and 96.6% for phosphates. The polyphenol content was significantly higher in GC than that of GS. Antioxidant activity of GS and GC was of 290 mmol TE/kg and of 422 mmol TE/kg respectively (probably due for the anthocyanins). Results of this study revealed the potential of food wastewater as culture medium and nutrient source in microalgae cultivation.