Seaweed liquid extract AS novel sustainable solutions for phycobioremediation plant germination, and feed additive for marine invertebrate copepod

Several studies have shown the importance of using seaweed liquid extract (True-Algae-Max, TAM) as a fish feed additive, and fish-water conditioner. In addition, TAM has demonstrated significant growth improvement when used as a plant growth biostimulant. This study investigates whether seaweed liquid extract (TAM) can achieve good results in new experimental fields such as chromium remediation, plant germination, and live feed supplementation for marine invertebrate Copepod (Oithona nana). In this study, several doses of TAM were tested, for the first time, for their impact on the remediation of chromium (Cr⁶⁺) ions from aqueous solutions and as an aqua feed additive for marine copepods (Oithona nana). In addition, it has been tested as promising for the seed germination of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and Faba bean (Vicia faba L.). The most important factors influencing the removal (%) of Cr⁶⁺, identified using a two-level Plackett-Burman factorial design, were selected for additional optimization utilizing a rotatable central composite design. The maximum adsorption of Cr⁶⁺ was 93.65% under ideal operating circumstances, which included an initial Cr⁶⁺ concentration of 60 mg L^-1, a temperature of 25 °C, a pH of 3, a TAM biomass of 0.05 g, and a contact time of 60 min at agitation conditions. Plackett-Burman design data shows the significance of each factor and how well the model fits the Cr⁶⁺ removal. The results of the germination experiment revealed that the highest significant increase in seed germination was achieved using a TAM level of 0.30 mg mL^-1 with V. faba (88%) and 0.03 mg mL^-1 with T. foenum-graecum (96.6%). Additionally, compared to the control group, TAM at a level of 0.037 mg mL^-1 showed high root length enhancement on V. faba (184%) and T. foenum-graecum (188%). The results of the copepod O. nana feeding additive experiment found that the group fed on starch supplemented with TAM at a level of 0.3 mL L^-1, compared to the control group that fed starch only, showed the highest increment in population growth (134.74%), fecundity (270.16%), and population composition of males (133.45%), adults (120.37%), and nauplius (203.18%). Moreover, compared to the control group, the copepod that fed starch supplemented with TAM levels achieved the highest Omega-9 content. In conclusion, it is shown that TAM is a feasible, efficient, and sustainable solution for biodegradable adsorbent for the Cr⁶⁺ from aqueous solution, enhances plant seed germination and root length, and is a novel feed additive for marine copepod O. nana, especially in marine invertebrate hatcheries.