Methods of enhancing algae production
Method of inhibiting live grazing organisms in an algae composition are disclosed, which do not inhibit the algae. In certain embodiments the concentration of algae increases. In other embodiments the mortality of live grazing organisms is complete. The method contacts an algae composition with wastewater comprising free ammonia and maintaining pH of at least 8 for more than two hours.
1. A method of inhibiting live rotifer comprising Brachionus plicatilis or Philodina in an algae composition comprising Nannochloropsis oculata without inhibiting said algae in said composition, the method comprising:
i) contacting said composition with dairy production wastewater comprising free ammonia; and then
ii) maintaining pH of the composition obtained from the step i) at a level of at least 8 for six to 12 hours so as to maintain the free ammonia at a level capable of reducing a number of said live Brachionus plicatilis or Philodina rotifer in the obtained composition, thereby inhibiting said rotifer.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said pH is 8 to 9.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said pH is 9.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of said live Brachionus plicatilis or Philodina rotifer is reduced to zero.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said live rotifer is inhibited and said algae are not inhibited without addition of additional ammonia or chemicals.
6. A method of inhibiting rotifer comprising live Brachionus plicatilis or Philodina in an algae composition comprising Nannochloropsis oculata and increasing concentration of algae in said composition, the method comprising:
i) contacting said composition with dairy production wastewater comprising free ammonia; and then
ii) maintaining pH of the composition obtained from the step i) at a level of at least 8 for six to 12 hours so as to maintain the free ammonia at a level capable of reducing a number of said live Brachionus plicatilis or Philodina rotifer in the obtained composition, thereby inhibiting said rotifer and increasing the concentration of said Nannochloropsis oculata algae.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the number of said live rotifer is reduced to zero.
8. A method of reducing algae production costs, the method comprising:
i) providing an algae composition comprising Nannochloropsis oculata , wherein live rotifer comprising Brachionus plicatilis or Philodina is present in said algae composition;
ii) contacting said algae composition with dairy production wastewater comprising free ammonia;
iii) maintaining pH of the composition obtained from the step ii) at a level of at least 8 for more than two hours so as to maintain the free ammonia at a level capable of reducing a number of said live Brachionus plicatilis or Philodina rotifer in the obtained composition, thereby inhibiting said rotifer without inhibition of said algae, without the need to add additional ammonia or chemicals; and then
iv) harvesting said algae.