ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Investigation of Onion Peel Waste as a Valuable
Resource in Controlling the Potentially Toxic
Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa Growth
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1
Natural Resources Engineering and Environmental Impacts Team, Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation
Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga (FPK), Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Khouribga, Morocco
2
Cadi Ayyad University UCA, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Water Sciences,
Microbial Biotechnologies, and Sustainability of Natural Resources, Marrakesh, Morocco
Submission date: 2025-06-28
Final revision date: 2025-10-26
Acceptance date: 2025-11-02
Online publication date: 2026-01-08
Corresponding author
Mountasser Douma
Department of Biology, Laboratory of Water Sciences, Microbial Biotechnologies, and Sustainability of Natural Resources, Marrakesh, Morocco, Cadi Ayyad University UCA, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia,, BP 2390 Marrakech Morocco, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
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ABSTRACT
Onion peel waste was tested to explore its anti-cyanobacterial activity on the growth of Microcystis
aeruginosa. First, the onion peel was extracted by maceration using three different solvents: aqueous
water, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. The efficacy of the aqueous, ethanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of
onion peel against M. aeruginosa was assessed using both microdilution and paper disc diffusion
techniques. Secondly, in a batch bioassay, the anti-cyanobacterial effect of the ethyl acetate extract,
as the most active extract, on M. aeruginosa growth and pigment production was evaluated. To identify
the potential allelochemicals, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were analyzed in the different
extracts. The obtained results demonstrated the ability of the ethyl acetate extract of onion peel to
inhibit M. aeruginosa growth. This effect was dose-dependent. The highest inhibitory rate (99%) was
achieved on day 8 under the highest concentration (100 mg/L). Consequently, all treatment groups
exhibited a significant reduction in chlorophyll-a and carotenoid contents compared to the control group.
The preliminary results demonstrated the anti-cyanobacterial effect of the ethyl acetate extract of onion
peel on Microcystis growth and suggest it as a potential eco-friendly solution for controlling Microcystis
blooms in eutrophic water bodies.