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Assessing an Algae-Based Biorefinery for Wastewater Treatment and Pigment Extraction

Faulds, Hana ; Li, Jing LU and Kjerstadius, Hamse (2026)
Abstract
Rising populations are placing significant strain on traditional waste management, prompting the need for circular systems in urban projects to recycle valuable nutrients from wastewater. Introducing a biorefinery framework, microalgae cultivation on digestate effluents produces pigments for natural dyes, reducing nutrient release and offering eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic products. Successful extraction of phycocyanin (the blue pigment) was achieved with an optimal 75% wastewater (WW) and 20% media composition, yielding the highest phycobiliprotein content (132.93 mg/g DW (dry weight)) coupled with impressive nutrient removal rates of 7.41, 1.31, and 11.73 (mg.L − 1.d − 1) for NH4+, PO43-, and TN (total nitrogen) respectively.... (More)
Rising populations are placing significant strain on traditional waste management, prompting the need for circular systems in urban projects to recycle valuable nutrients from wastewater. Introducing a biorefinery framework, microalgae cultivation on digestate effluents produces pigments for natural dyes, reducing nutrient release and offering eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic products. Successful extraction of phycocyanin (the blue pigment) was achieved with an optimal 75% wastewater (WW) and 20% media composition, yielding the highest phycobiliprotein content (132.93 mg/g DW (dry weight)) coupled with impressive nutrient removal rates of 7.41, 1.31, and 11.73 (mg.L − 1.d − 1) for NH4+, PO43-, and TN (total nitrogen) respectively. The framework’s scalability was evaluated in a Swedish urban development context, showcasing the potential of biorefinery concepts to convert waste into resources and supply natural pigments for textiles. Comparison with other studies showed that nutrient removal rates and PC yields are comparable to other wastewater-based systems with moderate biomass production, despite using a food-waste digestate stream. Our innovation also emphasized the high purity of phycocyanin (food-grade level), which many earlier studies don’t report. Our study also provides insights into future development and discusses the limitations of practical applications. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
epub
subject
host publication
Cyanobacteria - Exploring Their Role in Energy, Environment and Industry
publisher
IntechOpen
DOI
10.5772/intechopen.1013184
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
dbbfd957-a551-4c36-a30a-5909bc012148
date added to LUP
2026-03-05 13:44:12
date last changed
2026-03-17 16:19:54
@inbook{dbbfd957-a551-4c36-a30a-5909bc012148,
  abstract     = {{Rising populations are placing significant strain on traditional waste management, prompting the need for circular systems in urban projects to recycle valuable nutrients from wastewater. Introducing a biorefinery framework, microalgae cultivation on digestate effluents produces pigments for natural dyes, reducing nutrient release and offering eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic products. Successful extraction of phycocyanin (the blue pigment) was achieved with an optimal 75% wastewater (WW) and 20% media composition, yielding the highest phycobiliprotein content (132.93 mg/g DW (dry weight)) coupled with impressive nutrient removal rates of 7.41, 1.31, and 11.73 (mg.L − 1.d − 1) for NH4+, PO43-, and TN (total nitrogen) respectively. The framework’s scalability was evaluated in a Swedish urban development context, showcasing the potential of biorefinery concepts to convert waste into resources and supply natural pigments for textiles. Comparison with other studies showed that nutrient removal rates and PC yields are comparable to other wastewater-based systems with moderate biomass production, despite using a food-waste digestate stream. Our innovation also emphasized the high purity of phycocyanin (food-grade level), which many earlier studies don’t report. Our study also provides insights into future development and discusses the limitations of practical applications.}},
  author       = {{Faulds, Hana and Li, Jing and Kjerstadius, Hamse}},
  booktitle    = {{Cyanobacteria - Exploring Their Role in Energy, Environment and Industry}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  publisher    = {{IntechOpen}},
  title        = {{Assessing an Algae-Based Biorefinery for Wastewater Treatment and Pigment Extraction}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1013184}},
  doi          = {{10.5772/intechopen.1013184}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}