Can bioaugmentation improve wastewater treatment for the food industry? This study evaluates the effect of bioaugmentation on the activated sludge treatment of food wastewaters, including those containing potato, starch, sugar, and milk. Parameters examined include live liquid microorganisms, dosage, aeration time, and wastewater strength. The research concludes that bioaugmentation with live liquid micro-organisms enhances total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency and reduces sludge production. While aerobic bioaugmentation proves effective for TOC removal from potato, sugar, and milk wastewater, it is less effective for starch wastewater. This work offers insights into improving wastewater treatment in the food industry. The themes connect to the topics of **environment**, **engineering**, and **science**.
This article, appearing in Environmental Management and Health, directly addresses the journal's core concerns. The study's focus on improving wastewater treatment for the food-processing industry aligns with the journal's goal of promoting sustainable environmental management practices to protect public health, making it highly relevant to the readership.