Abstract
Arthrospira platensis is one of the most important cultured microalgal species in the world. Arthrospira complete dry biomass (ACDB) has been reported as an interesting feedstock for many industries, including biodiesel production. The A. platensis by-product of biodiesel production (lipid-free biomass; LFB) is a source of proteins, functional molecules, and carbohydrates, and can also be reused in several applications. The current study investigated the efficiency of ACDB and LFB in bioremediation of dye (Ismate violet 2R, IV2R) from textile effluents. In addition, the potential of ACDB and LFB loaded by IV2R as a feed for Rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, was examined. The surface of the adsorbents was characterized by SEM, FTIR, and Raman analysis to understand the adsorption mechanism. The batch sorption method was examined as a function of adsorbent dose (0.02-0.01 g L-1), solution initial concentration (10-100 mg L-1), pH (2-10), and contact time (15-180 min). The kinetic studies and adsorption isotherm models (Freundlich, Langmuir, Tempkin, and Halsey) were used to describe the interaction between dye and adsorbents. The results concluded that the adsorption process increased with increasing ACDB and LFB dose, contact time (120 min), initial IV2R concentration (10 mg L-1), and acidity pH (2 and 6, respectively). For the elimination of industrial textile wastewater, the ACDB and LFB sorbents have good elimination ability of a dye solution by 75.7% and 61.11%, respectively. The kinetic interaction between dye and adsorbents fitted well to Langmuir, Freundlish, and Halsey models for LFB, and Langmuir for ACDB at optimum conditions with R-2 > 0.9. In addition, based on the bioassay study, the ACDB and LFB loaded by IV2R up to 0.02 g L-1 may be used as feed for the marine Rotifer B. plicatilis.