Utilising fungi to recycle nutrients from food industry wastewater
A recent doctoral dissertation explored a new cost-effective fungal-based treatment solution that converts nutrients from food industry wastewater into valuable biomass. This method simultaneously removes nutrients from wastewater and reduces environmental impacts. The dissertation by Danielle Bansfield, a researcher at the Finnish Environment Institute, will be examined at Aalto University on Friday, 7th March 2025, at 12:00.
"Fungal-based wastewater treatment is a significant step towards a sustainable and circular bioeconomy, benefiting all stakeholders. The food industry gains cost savings and additional revenue, while water bodies in areas with weaker regulations are protected from untreated discharges. Additionally, the capture and recycling of nutrients from the wastewater into usable biomass promotes circularity", summarises researcher Danielle Bansfield from the Finnish Environment Institute.
There is great demand for circular wastewater treatment methods in the food industry, which produces large amounts of nutrient-rich wastewater, which is either treated at wastewater plants or, in some regions, discharged untreated, causing environmental harm. Traditional treatment removes nutrients but does not recover them. Given rising demand and climate change-driven resource scarcity, reusing both nutrients and water is increasingly important.
Different fungi optimal for biofuel, feed, or dietary supplement production
The dissertation results are promising. The study identified Penicillium corylophilum as the most effective species for nutrient removal and biomass production, and the biomass was found to be a suitable feedstock for biofuel. Geotrichum candidum showed potential for feed or dietary supplements. Among the five food production waste streams investigated, whey proved to be the best growth medium.
Another application for the fungal biomass, fungal-assisted microalgal harvesting, was investigated. Fungal-based microalgal harvesting is more sustainable than traditional microalgal harvesting methods, which are chemical and energy-intensive. During the study, a new, more rapid and resource-efficient fungal-assisted microalgal harvesting method was developed.
Practical applications: a significant opportunity for the food industry and circular economy
Utilising fungi in food industry wastewater treatment presets significant opportunities for further development and industrial applications, offering early adopters a competitive advantage.
Such innovations are essential for the sustainability transition. Implementing nutrient recovery from wastewater and converting it into valuable bioproducts would advance the circular bioeconomy. While challenges remain, this research provides a strong foundation for future progress.
Dissertation defence and thesis
- Time: Friday, 7th March 2025, 12:00–15:00
- Place: Computer Science Building, Aalto University, Otaniemi, Konemiehentie 2, 02150 Espoo. Online (aalto.zoom.us)
- Event Language: English
- Event page: Public defence in Water and Environmental Engineering, M.Sc. Danielle Bansfield (aalto.fi)
- Thesis: Pioneering circular pathways: improved recycling of nutrients in industrial wastewaters into value-added products. Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence.
Further Information
Researcher Danielle Bansfield, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), tel. +358 295 251 934, firstname.lastname@syke.fi
Keywords
Contacts
Media service at Finnish Environment Institute
Our Media Service provides information on research, helps journalists find experts for interviews and provides photos for media use.
Our Communication experts will answer your inquiries on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm.
Finnish Environment Institute - We build hope through research.
Finnish Environment Institute
Latokartanonkaari 11
00790 Helsinki
+358 295 251 000
It is time to move beyond solving environmental problems one by one, to systemic sustainability transformations. The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) contributes to building a sustainable society through research, information and services. The Finnish Environment Institute is a research institute with 700 experts and researchers located in Helsinki, Oulu, Jyväskylä and Joensuu.
Subscribe to releases from Suomen ympäristökeskus
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Suomen ympäristökeskus by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Suomen ympäristökeskus
Mid-summer blue-green algae situation remains moderate in most parts of the country10.7.2025 13:15:00 EEST | Press release
Observations of blue-green algae in inland waters have slightly decreased since last week. In coastal areas, the situation has remained stable, and less blue-green algae have been observed than is typical for midsummer. However, in open sea areas, blue-green algae have been observed slightly more than last week, based on satellite images.
Cyanobakteriesituationen under högsommaren har fortsatt varit måttlig i större delen av landet10.7.2025 13:15:00 EEST | Pressmeddelande
Observationer av cyanobakterier i insjöar har minskat något sedan förra veckan. I kustområdena har situationen varit stabil, och färre cyanobakterier har observerats än vad som är typiskt för högsommaren. Till havs har dock cyanobakterier observerats något mer än förra veckan, baserat på satellitbilder.
Keskikesän sinilevätilanne pysynyt maltillisena suurimmassa osassa maata10.7.2025 13:00:00 EEST | Tiedote
Sinilevähavainnot sisävesillä ovat hieman vähentyneet viime viikosta. Rannikkoalueilla tilanne on pysynyt vakaana, ja sinilevää on havaittu vähemmän kuin tyypillisesti keskikesällä. Avomerellä sinilevää on kuitenkin havaittu satelliittikuvien perusteella paikoittain hieman viime viikkoa enemmän.
Utredning: Havsvindkraft ska styras utanför de känsligaste fågelområdena7.7.2025 16:16:22 EEST | Pressmeddelande
För att skydda fåglarna bör havsvindkraftverk byggas helt utanför de mest riskfyllda områdena, rekommenderar en utredning publicerad av Finlands miljöcentral. I analysen som beretts av en omfattande expertgrupp sammanställs känsliga fågelområden i Finlands havsområde och presenteras rekommendationer som stöd för planeringen av havsvindkraft.
Stadsmiljöerna bör planeras bättre än i nuläget för äldre personer7.7.2025 09:02:00 EEST | Pressmeddelande
Finlands miljöcentral och MBT-nätverket informerar: I de finländska stadsregionerna och kommunerna ökar andelen äldre invånare snabbt. Man kan i betydande omfattning påverka äldre personers välbefinnande och smidigheten i vardagen med hjälp av långsiktig planering och gott underhåll av den byggda miljön. Finlands miljöcentral (Syke) och MBT, det rikstäckande sparring- och utvecklingsnätverket för kommunerna, har undersökt stadsmiljön ur de äldre invånarnas perspektiv och tagit fram ny information, rekommendationer och verktyg för att förbättra den. Dessa har sammanställts i publikationen ”Hållbart åldersvänlig stad”, som nyligen blivit klar, och i separata verksamhetsrekommendationer.
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom