Production of a wide spectrum biopesticide from Monoraphidium sp. KMC4 grown in simulated dairy wastewater.

The present work aims on developing an eco-friendly strategy that couples the remediation of dairy wastewater with crop protection strategy using microalgal biomass for sustainable agriculture. In the present study, the microalgal strain Monoraphidium sp. KMC4 was cultivated in dairy wastewater. It was observed that the microalgal strain is able to tolerate up to as high as 2000 mg/L of COD and utilize the organic carbon and other nutrient component of the wastewater for biomass production. The biomass extract demonstrates excellent antimicrobial activity against the two phytopathogens (Xanthomonas oryzae and Pantoea agglomerans). GC-MS analysis of the microalgae extract revealed phytochemicals such as chloroacetic acid and 2, 4- di tert butylphenol that are responsible for the inhibition of the microbial growth. These preliminary results indicates that integration of microalgal cultivation and nutrient recycling from wastewaters for the production of biopesticides is a promising prospect for the replacement of synthetic pesticides.