Bacillus licheniformis enhances Chlorella vulgaris’s biomass and biodiesel production in wastewater treatment

Chlorella-based wastewater treatment presents a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. While previous studies highlighted Chlorella-bacteria synergy in wastewater remediation, bacterial effects on Chlorella biomass and biodiesel production remain unclear. This study investigates the impact...

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Main Authors: Xiuren Zhou, Yuqing Li, Pengming Yang, Guifang Xu, Hongsheng Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Desalination and Water Treatment
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1944398625001663
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author Xiuren Zhou
Yuqing Li
Pengming Yang
Guifang Xu
Hongsheng Wang
author_facet Xiuren Zhou
Yuqing Li
Pengming Yang
Guifang Xu
Hongsheng Wang
author_sort Xiuren Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Chlorella-based wastewater treatment presents a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. While previous studies highlighted Chlorella-bacteria synergy in wastewater remediation, bacterial effects on Chlorella biomass and biodiesel production remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of Bacillus licheniformis on Chlorella vulgaris growth, biomass yield, and biodiesel production. Results demonstrated that B. licheniformis significantly enhanced pollutant removal, achieving equal to or greater than 84.30 ± 2.61 % reduction in all wastewater contaminants, which was markedly superior to C. vulgaris alone. Furthermore, B. licheniformis treatment increased C. vulgaris biomass and biodiesel yield by 28.63 ± 2.88 % and 48.03 ± 3.42 %, respectively. The presence of B. licheniformis enriched the wastewater with bioavailable nutrients by producing hydrolytic enzymes such as N-protease (69.76 ± 8.60 U/mL) and α-amylase (25.78 ± 6.29 U/mL), as well as phytohormones, including auxins (554.98 ± 92.03 ng/mL) and gibberellins (30.08 ± 3.93 ng/mL). Additionally, the combined treatment stabilized pH fluctuations, creating an optimal environment for algal growth. These findings underscore the potential of integrating B. licheniformis with C. vulgaris to enhance wastewater treatment efficiency while simultaneously boosting biofuel production. This synergistic approach offers a strategy for sustainable wastewater management and bioenergy generation.
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spelling doaj-art-d763f4b2764f4b3b83d011d62465490a2025-08-20T03:07:50ZengElsevierDesalination and Water Treatment1944-39862025-04-0132210115010.1016/j.dwt.2025.101150Bacillus licheniformis enhances Chlorella vulgaris’s biomass and biodiesel production in wastewater treatmentXiuren Zhou0Yuqing Li1Pengming Yang2Guifang Xu3Hongsheng Wang4School of Life Sciences, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Huanlan Road, 98#, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, China; Corresponding author.School of Life Sciences, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Huanlan Road, 98#, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Huanlan Road, 98#, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Huanlan Road, 98#, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Huanlan Road, 98#, Xinxiang, Henan 453002, ChinaChlorella-based wastewater treatment presents a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. While previous studies highlighted Chlorella-bacteria synergy in wastewater remediation, bacterial effects on Chlorella biomass and biodiesel production remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of Bacillus licheniformis on Chlorella vulgaris growth, biomass yield, and biodiesel production. Results demonstrated that B. licheniformis significantly enhanced pollutant removal, achieving equal to or greater than 84.30 ± 2.61 % reduction in all wastewater contaminants, which was markedly superior to C. vulgaris alone. Furthermore, B. licheniformis treatment increased C. vulgaris biomass and biodiesel yield by 28.63 ± 2.88 % and 48.03 ± 3.42 %, respectively. The presence of B. licheniformis enriched the wastewater with bioavailable nutrients by producing hydrolytic enzymes such as N-protease (69.76 ± 8.60 U/mL) and α-amylase (25.78 ± 6.29 U/mL), as well as phytohormones, including auxins (554.98 ± 92.03 ng/mL) and gibberellins (30.08 ± 3.93 ng/mL). Additionally, the combined treatment stabilized pH fluctuations, creating an optimal environment for algal growth. These findings underscore the potential of integrating B. licheniformis with C. vulgaris to enhance wastewater treatment efficiency while simultaneously boosting biofuel production. This synergistic approach offers a strategy for sustainable wastewater management and bioenergy generation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1944398625001663Bacillus licheniformisBiomassBiodieselChlorella vulgarisHydrolytic enzymesMunicipal wastewater treatment
spellingShingle Xiuren Zhou
Yuqing Li
Pengming Yang
Guifang Xu
Hongsheng Wang
Bacillus licheniformis enhances Chlorella vulgaris’s biomass and biodiesel production in wastewater treatment
Desalination and Water Treatment
Bacillus licheniformis
Biomass
Biodiesel
Chlorella vulgaris
Hydrolytic enzymes
Municipal wastewater treatment
title Bacillus licheniformis enhances Chlorella vulgaris’s biomass and biodiesel production in wastewater treatment
title_full Bacillus licheniformis enhances Chlorella vulgaris’s biomass and biodiesel production in wastewater treatment
title_fullStr Bacillus licheniformis enhances Chlorella vulgaris’s biomass and biodiesel production in wastewater treatment
title_full_unstemmed Bacillus licheniformis enhances Chlorella vulgaris’s biomass and biodiesel production in wastewater treatment
title_short Bacillus licheniformis enhances Chlorella vulgaris’s biomass and biodiesel production in wastewater treatment
title_sort bacillus licheniformis enhances chlorella vulgaris s biomass and biodiesel production in wastewater treatment
topic Bacillus licheniformis
Biomass
Biodiesel
Chlorella vulgaris
Hydrolytic enzymes
Municipal wastewater treatment
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1944398625001663
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