A photo-bioreactor with internal overflow recirculation was applied to treat real fermented starch waste-water and convert it to photosynthetic biomass for further utilization. The photo-bioreactor was operated at a hydraulic retention time of 10 days by circulating mixed liquor through overflow pipes and penetrating light through infrared transmitting filter. During the operation of 154 days, the average BOD and COD removals were 95% and 88%, respectively. Majority of photosynthetic bacteria was found attached on pipes as biofilm contributed to 82% of total biomass production. Photosynthetic biomass yield was 0.51 g dried solid/g BOD removed and crude protein content of 0.58 g/g dried solid. Rhodopseudomonas palustris was found in the photosynthetic system as the predominant bacterial group by denaturing gradient gel electrophoretic analysis (DGGE) and 16S rDNA sequencing method. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.