Techno-economic feasibility of algal aquaculture via fish and biodiesel production pathways: A commercial-scale application

The industrialization of integrated algae-aquaculture systems entails appropriate information regarding environmental and economic assessments, field and laboratory analyses, and feasibility studies. Accordingly, Scenedesmus obliquus was cultivated in a raceway pond (300 m³), and the algal biomass was used as a protein source for the growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Nile tilapia fish was cultivated in five commercial-scale tanks for 44 weeks, having a productivity of 15–20 kg (live weight)·m⁻³. Among various algal-based fish meals, the diet containing 7.5% microalgae provided the largest body length (29 cm) and weight (402 g), as well as the optimum growth performance parameters. Scenedesmus obliquus was subjected to lipid extraction, and the defatted biomass was also used as a substitute for fishmeal in diets. Nile tilapia grown using the lipid-extracted algae had improved health status, and the biochemical composition was satisfactory. Further, two scenarios were economically investigated: Case 1, the direct use of algal biomass for fish production, and Case 2, the utilization of algae for biodiesel production followed by the application of residual biomass in fishmeal diets. Based on field experiments and financial information reported in the literature, the two options would offset their initial investment cost within payback periods of 7.5 and 6.8 yr, respectively.