Biological Activity of Hydrophilic Extract of Chlorella vulgaris Grown on Post-Fermentation Leachate from a Biogas Plant Supplied with Stillage and Maize Silage

摘要

Algae are employed commonly in cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals, as well as in feed production and biorefinery processes. In this study, post-fermentation leachate from a biogas plant which exploits stillage and maize silage was utilized as a culture medium for . The content of polyphenols in hydrophilic extracts of the biomass was determined, and the extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), antibacterial activity (against , , , ) and antifungal activity (against , , ). The use of the post-fermentation leachate was not found to affect the biological activity of the microalgae. The aqueous extract of biomass was also observed to exhibit activity against nematodes. The results of this study suggest that biomass cultured on post-fermentation leachate from a biogas plant can be successfully employed as a source of natural antioxidants, food supplements, feed, natural antibacterial and antifungal compounds, as well as in natural methods of plant protection.