Algae and bacteria consortia for wastewater decontamination and transformation into biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen, biofertilizers and animal feed: a review

Traditional wastewater treatment has been aimed solely at sanitation by removing contaminants, yet actual issues of climate change and depletion of natural resources are calling for methods that both remove contaminants and convert waste into chemicals and fuels. In particular, biological treatments with synergic coupling of microalgae and bacteria appear promising to remove organic, inorganic, and pathogen contaminants and to generate biofuels. Here, we review the use of algae and bacteria in the treatment and valorization of wastewater with focus on cell-to-cell adhesion, wastewater properties, and techniques for algae harvesting and production of biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen, exopolysaccarides, biofertilizers, and animal feeds.

Automated summary

Traditional wastewater treatment has focused on removing contaminants for sanitation purposes, but the issues of climate change and depletion of natural resources require methods that also convert waste into chemicals and fuels. The synergistic coupling of microalgae and bacteria in biological treatments shows promise in removing various contaminants and generating biofuels. This review examines the use of algae and bacteria in wastewater treatment and valorization, with emphasis on cell-to-cell adhesion, wastewater properties, and techniques for algae harvesting and production of various valuable products such as biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen, exopolysaccarides, biofertilizers, and animal feeds.