Nutrients in reject water (RW) are underutilized. SYKE developed a microalgal-based nutrient recycling system in RW, producing valuable biomass. But microalgal harvesting is costly limiting its viability. Flocculation by fungi presents a sustainable solution. My original premise, direct growth of fungi in RW, failed. But fungi can grow in food processing side-streams, producing cheap algal flocculant which can increase biomass quantity and quality (fungi: high in protein, produces biochemicals).

2023