Harnessing microalgae for metal nanoparticles biogenesis using heavy metal ions from wastewater as a metal precursor: A review

Sook Sin Chan; Kuan Shiong Khoo; Rosazlin Abdullah; Joon Ching Juan; Eng-Poh Ng; Ren Jie Chin; Tau Chuan Ling

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176989

Harnessing microalgae for metal nanoparticles biogenesis using heavy metal ions from wastewater as a metal precursor: A review

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Oct 18:957:176989. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176989. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Sook Sin Chan¹, Kuan Shiong Khoo², Rosazlin Abdullah³, Joon Ching Juan⁴, Eng-Poh Ng⁵, Ren Jie Chin⁶, Tau Chuan Ling⁷

Affiliations

¹ Institut Sains Biologi, Fakulti Sains, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: s2038616@siswa.um.edu.my.
² Algae Bioseparation Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: kuanshiong.khoo@saturn.yzu.edu.tw.
³ Institut Sains Biologi, Fakulti Sains, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
⁴ Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NanoCat), Institute of Postgraduate Studies, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
⁵ School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM, Penang 11800, Malaysia.
⁶ Department of Civil Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering & Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Sungai Long, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
⁷ Institut Sains Biologi, Fakulti Sains, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: tcling@um.edu.my.

PMID: 39427915
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176989

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination of water sources has long been a silent yet potent threat, endangering environmental and human health. Conventional wastewater treatments are costly due to high infrastructure expenses, energy consumption, and chemical usage. These treatments lead to secondary environmental pollution, such as producing toxic sludge, greenhouse gaseous emissions, and residual pollutants discharges. Therefore, more sustainable and cost-effective wastewater treatment alternatives are needed to overcome these challenges. Microalgae biosorption and bioaccumulation can bioremediate wastewater by effectively removing heavy metals and other contaminants, such as nitrate and phosphate. By utilizing sunlight and CO₂ for growth, microalgae cultivation reduces the need for expensive chemicals and energy-intensive operations in wastewater treatment. Additionally, microalgae can potentially convert heavy metal ions from wastewater into metal nanoparticles, providing a dual benefit of bioremediation and resource recovery. The primary objectives of this review are to assess the effectiveness of microalgae in heavy metal bioremediation and nanoparticle synthesis while also identifying critical research gaps and future directions for optimizing this biotechnology. Heavy metal ions in wastewater can be used as a metal precursor, and metal nanoparticles can be synthesized from wastewater. A review methodology was carried out to assess the availability of literature for readers to identify the research trends and gaps. Mechanisms of microalgae for the biogenesis of metal nanoparticles, including activation, growth, and termination phases, were elucidated. Various chemical interactions between metal ions and functional groups of microalgae, including amine (-NH₂), carboxyl (-COOH), phosphate (-PO₄), and hydroxyl (-OH) groups were evaluated. Nonetheless, this review also identifies the current challenges and future research directions for optimizing microalgae biotechnology in heavy metal bioremediation and nanoparticle biogenesis.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation; Biosorption; Heavy metal wastewater; Microalgae; Nanoparticle synthesis.

Publication types

Review