Human urine as an alternative source of nutrient for biomass production of Scenedesmus dimorphus

Microalgae are known to produce an array of value-added components like pigments.The nutrient medium used to cultivate microalgae is generally more expensive.The prominence of this work is on the practicality of human urine as a low-cost source of nutrients for microalgae culture, as it includes major nutrients and minor minerals and is cost-effective.Of course, it is a digressive approach from the aesthetic point of view.Nevertheless, the ultimate products can be puri ed, obviating pathogenicity.Human urine was collected, sterilized and different dilutions were prepared (5%,10%,15%,25%,50%,75%,100%).Cultures of Scenedesmus dimorphus were inoculated into a diluted human urine medium and incubated for 15 days at room temperature (around 29ºC) under window spread sunlight.The concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15% have supported the production of microalgae.The maximum biomass was observed in 5% human urine concentration with a cell density of 1.74×10 6 cells/mL with 3.2 g/L biomass production.The biomass productivity was 0.257 g/L /day.Growth cessation could be perceived at more than 25% of human urine concentration.This study offers scope for considering human urine for algal production, targeting value-added products, aside from obnoxious liquid waste utilization.