Edible fungi-assisted harvesting system for efficient microalgae bio-flocculation.

Conventional flocculants, commonly used to improve harvesting efficiency, can contaminate the broth and cause microalgae not suitable for food or feed production. In the present study, Pleurotus ostreatus, an edible fungal strain, was developed to improve the harvesting efficiency of microalgae. The results show that Pleurotus ostreatus pellets cultured under 100 rpm agitation resulted in higher harvesting efficiency than pellets cultured under 0 rpm and 150 rpm agitation. Lower pH of the Chlorella sp. suspension resulted in higher harvesting efficiency. The maximum recovery efficiency reached 64.86% in 150 mins. The above process could be used to achieve low cost, flocculant-free harvesting of microalgae as feedstock for feed or food production.