The Utilizations of Wastewater from Palm Oil Industry as Culture Medium for Microalga (Chlorella sp) Growth and Production in order to Eliminate Water Polution

Abstract

This research aims to utilize microalgae biomass Chlorella sp as a food source (food supplement) for livestock and for humans and to utilize (recycle) palm oil mill effluent (PKS) which has developed rapidly in Riau Province so that it has an impact on the quality of the aquatic environment. This research was conducted at the Laboratory of Microalgae, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, University of Riau, Bina Widya Campus, Simpang Baru, Pekanbaru, Riau. As the initial seeds of Chlorella were maintained in pure culture media. The second stage is carried out using more cultural platforms. After the Chlorella growth reaches its maximum point, all the Chlorella in the bottle placed in the photobioreactor is then harvested and stored using a centrifuge. Chlorella production is then analyzed to determine the extent to which palm oil mill effluent is beneficial for the growth and production of Chlorella maintained in liquid waste culture media. Efforts to utilize and recycle palm oil mill waste found in Riau Province are very urgent to do research by utilizing microalgae as a growing medium so that it can reabsorb organic material from palm oil mill effluents and produce large amounts of algal biomass.