Development and performance of microalgae-based symbiotic systems for high-strength chemical oxygen demand wastewater treatment from the sugar mills

Agricultural and agro-industrial activities have risen exponentially to meet the ever-growing demand for food, energy, and other important resources. High freshwater consumption occurs in these sectors and is discharged as effluent containing excessive organic loads that require treatment. In this study, microalgal, bacterial, and fungal (yeast) isolates native to the sugar industry effluent were screened for effective chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from wastewater when co-cultured. The microalgae-bacteria consortium (MBC) comprised Chlorella sorokiniana A7 and three bacterial strains including Rhodococcus sp. B009, Bacillus sp. B010, and B013; whilst the microalgae-yeast consortium (MYC) consisted of Chlorella sorokiniana A7 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y2. When the Chlorella sorokiniana -based symbiotic systems were characterized in sugar industry wastewater, excellent COD removal efficiencies were achieved compared to the axenic Chlorella sorokiniana A7. The COD removal efficiencies were 86 %, and 71 % after 96 h of cultivation for MBC, and MYC, respectively. After 168 h of cultivation in wastewater, ≥90 % of COD removal efficiency was observed in both MBC and MYC systems. The MYC also showed improved chlorophyll- a content, photosynthesis, and respiration in Chlorella sorokiniana A7. This study has demonstrated the efficiency of Chlorella sorokiniana -based consortium systems that could be used as eco-friendly and sustainable bioremediation tools for high-strength COD wastewater streams. An insight into mechanisms of interactions between Chlorella sp., and co-cultured microbial strains grown in sugar industry wastewater still needs further studies. • Microalgal symbiotic systems previously relied on activated sludge microorganisms. • Wastewater-borne microbial strains were screened in modeled and real effluent. • Two Chlorella sp., symbiotic systems improved COD removal (≥90 %) in wastewater. • Symbiotic systems performed better than axenic microalgal cultures. • Results showed value in the design of low-technology for wastewater treatment.