A sustainable bioremediation of vanadium from marine environment and value-addition using potential thraustochytrids

[Display omitted] •Industrial pollution threatens marine life with hazardous metals like vanadium.•Thraustochytrid removed vanadium up to 50.8 % at optimal pH and temperature.•EDTA and citric acid enhanced removal up to 65.2 % & raised lipid content to 75.3 %.•Thraustochytrium sp. removes vanadium via biosorption and bioaccumulation.•Sustainable bioremediation technique offers promising industrial-scale application. Rising concerns about global environmental degradation underscore the pressing need for effective solutions to combat heavy metal pollution. Industries such as semiconductor and steel production discharge vanadium into marine ecosystems, posing significant risks to both marine life and human health. The current study investigates efficacy of utilizing marine thraustochytrid for efficient vanadium removal outcompeting other microbial sources. By optimizing pH and temperature conditions during harvesting, achieved a remarkable 50.80 % enhancement in vanadium removal efficiency, from 19.31 to 29.12 mg/L. Furthermore, chelating agents EDTA and citric acid supplementation demonstrated promising enhancements, reaching up to 31.21 and 32.59 mg/L, respectively. Notably, vanadium-treated biomass supplemented with citric acid exhibited maximum enhancement in lipid content, from 58.47 to 75.34 %, indicating thraustochytrid’s potential for biofuel production. This study presents a sustainable approach for industrial-scale vanadium bioremediation, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals focused on dual benefits of environmental protection and renewable energy.