Microalgae-bacteria liquid digestate treatment with simultaneous generation of high value biomass

The present study investigated the treatment of unsterilized, undiluted, unfiltered liquid digestate in a quarter-scale photobioreactor over a period of 33 weeks using a consortium of microalgae and bacteria. The potential of biomass generated throughout the treatment process was analyzed for a wide spectrum of value-added compounds (lipids, fatty acids, proteins, pigments). The influence of organic loading rates on the microbial culture was also determined and the influence of the biomass storage method on its qualitative composition was analyzed.