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Several types of green photosynthetic microalgae can grow through the process of heterotrophic growth in the dark with the help of a carbon source instead of the usual light energy. Heterotrophic growth overcomes important limitations in the production of valuable products from microalgae, such as the reliance on light, which complicates the process, raises costs, and lowers the yield of potentially useful products. The present study was conducted to explore the potential growth of green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus under mixotrophic and heterotrophic conditions utilizing Disperse orange 2RL Azo dye as a carbon source to produce a high lipid content and the maximum dye removal percentage. After 7 days of algal growth with dye under mixotrophic and heterotrophic conditions with varying pH levels (5, 7, 9, and 11), KNO3 concentrations (1, 1.5, 2, and 3 g/L), and dye concentrations (20, 40, and 60 ppm); dye removal percentage, algal dry weight, and lipid content were determined. The results showed that the highest decolorization of Disperse orange 2RL Azo dye (98.14%) was attained by S. obliquus in heterotrophic medium supplemented with glucose at the optimal pH 11 when the nitrogen concentration was 1 g/L and the dye concentration was 20 ppm. FT-IR spectroscopy of the dye revealed differences in peaks position and intensity before and after algal treatment. S. obliquus has a high concentration of oleic acid, which is enhanced when it is grown with Disperse orange 2RL Azo dye, making it ideal for production of high-quality biodiesel. In general, and in the vast majority of instances, heterotrophic cultivation is substantially less expensive, easier to set up, and requires less maintenance than mixotrophic cultivation. Heterotrophic cultivation allows for large-scale applications such as separate or mixed wastewater treatment along with biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In biological engineering, cell immobilization is a modern technique for immobilizing free cells in a small space. Disintegration and elimination of azo dyes [Reactive Orange 122 (orange 2RL) and Reactive Red 194 (Reactive Red M-2BF)] were investigated by using Chlorococcum sp. and Chlorococcum sp. mixed with Scenedesmus obliquus, respectively. After 7 days of incubation, the maximum decolorization was spotted at 40 ppm for Reactive Orange 122 and 20 ppm for Reactive Red 194 by Chlorococcum sp. and Chlorococcum sp. mixed with S. obliquus, respectively. The findings revealed that the best decolorization activity was found at pH 11 and 25 °C under aeration conditions. BG11 was considered the best medium for azo dye decolorization with a high decolorization percentage. Additionally, different concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus show the high activity of decolorization of both dyes. Referring to vitamins (thiamin and Ascorbic acid), all studied concentrations showed high decolorization activity with immobilized Chlorococcum sp. mixed with S. obliquus; however, different concentrations (20, 40, and 60 mg/l) of thiamin showed completely decolorization of Reactive Red 194 after 3 days, and 60 mg/l of ascorbic acid showed completely decolorization of Reactive Orange 122 after 5 days of inoculation. FT-IR and GC-Ms analysis for azo dyes after and before treatment with Immobilization of Chlorococcum sp. and Chlorococcum sp. mixed with Scenedesmus obliquus were detected. Novelty statement: The natural carrier algae and its consortium combined with a suitable immobilization technique were considered in this study, which is non-toxic, enhanced their bioremediation potential for dyes, and allowed multiple uses of biocatalysts. The novel use of the immobilization and its consortium of algae on the degradation efficiency of azo dyes and studying the effect of physicochemical conditions on decolorization and degradation of azo dyes. Application of immobilization techniques using microalgae could be excellent bioremediation of wastewaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]