Unlocking the potential of one of the most wide-spread aquatic plants in the world – Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata).
We are endeavoring to unlock the full potential of this versatile and globally distributed plant species.
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Current Research
We have developed systems that allow us to take advantage of the ability of Sago to accumulate large amounts of carbohydrate and, upon stimulation, internally convert them to ethanol, which is then secreted. This process has the potential for unprecedented CO2 assimilation by a plant ecosystem.
In addition, we are working to commercialize our developments in the wastewater industry. Our patent pending systems allow for a biologic filtration and control system to allow reuse water to be filtered without the addition of expensive and harmful chemicals or antibiotics. None of Aquatech’s plant strains is genetically modified.
Our current research explores the potential of using Sago BioReactors for ethanol production, for wastewater treatment, for animal feed, as well as CO2 reduction.
Sago BioReactors produce “natural ethanol” through a sophisticated form of Hydroponics, utilizing the internal metabolism of a Sago Pondweed in combination with light and added CO2. The ethanol is directly secreted into the growth medium. Aquatech has identified and developed engineering solutions to separate the ethanol from the BioReactors.
Sago BioReactors are suitable as a biological step for municipal wastewater treatment. The technology will fit between current sand filter technology and UV light sterilization, to provide an additional step in tertiary wastewater treatment, to improve removal of microbial contaminants, while harmful CO2 is consumed.
The starchy portions of Sago are palatable to cattle, fish, and fowl, and we are determining whether it might be profitable to grow Sago Pondweed as an alternative feed source for livestock.