Orthophosphate was mobilized from iron phosphate (FePO(4)) contained in digested sewage sludge by microbial fuel cell power. FePO(4) was reduced through electrons and protons obtained from metabolic activity of Escherichia coli. The process yielded up to 82% or 600 mg/l. Optical emission spectroscopy was used for phosphate dosage. (31)P NMR showed a singlet at delta(P) = 3.72 ppm indicating that orthophosphate (H(3)PO(4), HPO(4)(-). HPO(4)(2-) and PO(4)(3-)) was recovered. The phosphate containing supernatant solution was reacted with stoichiometric amounts of MgCl(2) and NH(4)OH to precipitate struvite (MgNH(4)PO(4)center dot 6H(2)O). The crystalline fertilizer was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy comprising elemental analysis, revealing a composition accuracy of similar to 90% and the absence of any toxic metals such as As, Cd, Pb, or Cr. The phosphate extraction is also a means to reduce the volume of digested sewage sludge while increasing the heat of combustion. This study represents a concept for sustainable decentralized phosphate recycling. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.