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Selvam et al., 1:12http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/scientificreports.564

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Volume 1 • Issue 12 • 2012

Keywords: Azo dyes; Decolourization; Textile industry effluent; Poria sp; Ganoderma sp; Trametes sp

Introduction Along with the increasing revolution in science and technology,

there is bigger demand on opting for newer chemicals which could be used in various industrial processes [1]. Growing environmental pollution resulting from rapid industrial developments is one of the major challenges confronting the modern world [2]. The textile industry releases about 10 to 15% of the dye, which finds its way in to waste water [3]. It mainly comprised of residual dyes, auxiliary chemicals, surfactants, chlorinated compounds and salts [4]. The present physico-chemical treatments are expensive and could generate a large volume of sludge. Dye effluents are poorly decolorized by conventional biological waste water treatment [5,6]. In most countries, researchers are looking for appropriate treatments in order to remove pollutants, impurities, and to obtain the decolourization of dye house effluents [7]. As a consequence, there has been growing interest in biotechnological processes. White rot fungi produce non specific lignin degrading enzyme, which degrade a wide range of organic pollutants, including textile dyes [8-12]. Many white rot fungi (e.g. Phanerocheate chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus, Bejerkandera adusta, Trametes versicolor, etc.) has been intensively studied in connection with their lingninolytic enzyme production and their decolourization ability [3,13-18]. Decolourization of two azo dyes namely Direct Red–80 (DR–80) and Mordant Blue–9 (MB–9) by Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated individually, and in mixtures in batch shake flasks, as well [19]. White rot fungi, Poria sp, Ganoderma sp and Trametes sp was isolated from the Western Ghats of South India and characterized for its ligninolytic enzymes, but no studies have been conducted yet on the biotechnological application. The aim of the work presented here was to characterize the decolourization properties of the white rot fungi. This capability of the strains studied together with its other degradative properties could be promising for further biotechnological application.

*Corresponding author: Selvam K, Department of Biotechnology, Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore-48, India, Tel: + 0422 2627098; Fax: + 0422 2629369; E-mail: selsarat@yahoo.com

Received August 30, 2012; Published December 01, 2012

Citation: Selvam K, Arungandhi K, Rajenderan G, Yamuna M (2012) Bio-Degradation of Azo Dyes and Textile Industry Effluent by Newly Isolated White Rot Fungi. 1:564 doi:10.4172/scientificreports.564

Copyright: © 2012 Selvam K, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

AbstractLignin degrading white rot fungi, Poria sp, Ganoderma sp and Trametes sp were collected from the decayed wood

of Tectona grandis from the Western Ghats region of Tamilnadu, India. The fungi were used for the decolourization of Azo dyes such as Congo red, Rhodamine 6G, Malachite green, and also for Textile industry effluent. Removal of azo dyes from aqueous solution by Poria sp (50 μM) concentration showed 93% of colour removal in Congo red, 64.4% in Rhodamine 6G and 94.8% in Malachite green on the fifth day. Ganoderma sp decolourized Congo red by 77%, Rhodamine 6G by 65.3% and Malachite green by 75.2% at (50 μM) concentration on fifth day, respectively. Trametes sp decolourized Congo red by 89%, Rhodamine 6G by 54.5% and Malachite green by 76.1% at (50 μM) concentration on fifth day. Textile industry effluent was treated by the fungi in batch and continuous modes. Removal of textile dye effluent in batch mode showed 92.08% decolourization, and in continuous mode 70.74% on 7th day by Poria sp. In Ganoderma sp, 90.36% and 65.40% of decolourization was observed in batch and continuous mode, respectively on 7th day. In Trametes sp, 87.09% and 65.40% of decolourization was observed in batch and continuous mode, respectively on 7th day. From the results, it was interpreted that the colour removal by the basidiomycetes fungi were mainly due to adsorption of the dyes to the mycelial surface, and also due to metabolic breakdown. These results suggested that Poria sp is more efficient than Ganoderma sp and Trametes sp for the treatment of azo dyes and textile dye industry effluent, in both batch and continuous mode.

Bio-Degradation of Azo Dyes and Textile Industry Effluent by Newly Isolated White Rot FungiSelvam K*, Arungandhi K, Rajenderan G and Yamuna MDepartment of Biotechnology, Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, India

Materials and MethodsMicroorganisms and media

Decolourization of azo dyes: The ability of the fungi to decolourize azo dyes from aqueous solutions were studied in C-limited medium containing Congo red (50 μM), Rhodamine 6G (50 μM) and Malachite green (50 μM), and this was inoculated with spore suspension of Poria sp,Ganoderma sp and Trametes sp, and incubated in rotary shaker (120 rpm) at 39°C for 6 days. After 6 days, the samples were withdrawn at

The three different fungal isolates were collected from the decayed wood (Tectona grandis) from the Western Ghats region of Tamilnadu, India. The fungi were identified based on the keys provided previously [20,21]. The collected fungi fruit bodies were cut into pieces, sterilized with 1% mercuric chloride solution, repeatedly washed with sterile distilled water, as described previously [22], and inoculated on 2% malt agar medium. The fungal growth on a plate was sub-cultured for 6 days at 37°C and maintained on malt agar slants. Then, the spores were harvested without disturbing the mycelia growth, using a camel hair brush and filter sterilized. The spore concentration was adjusted to 105 spores/ml and used as inoculums for further studies. Dye decolourization studies were carried out in C-limited medium (M14) [23], to which spores in the one tenth volume of the medium were inoculated.

Citation: Selvam K, Arungandhi K, Rajenderan G, Yamuna M (2012) Bio-Degradation of Azo Dyes and Textile Industry Effluent by Newly Isolated White Rot Fungi. 1:564 doi:10.4172/scientificreports.564

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Results and DiscussionDecolourization of azo dyes by fungi

In the present study, three newly isolated white rot fungi, Poria sp, Ganoderma sp and Trametes sp, were used for dye decolourization studies. The maximum mycelial dry weight were obtained on the fifth day as 57.1 mg/day, 55.5 mg/day, 56.0 mg/day for Congo red, Rhodamine 6G, Malachite green, respectively, when Poria sp was used for dye decolourization studies. The decolourization of Congo red, Rhodamine 6G and Malachite green at 50 μM concentration were observed as 93%, 64.5% and 94.8% respectively on fifth day, when treated with same fungi (Figure 1). In Ganoderma sp, maximum mycelial dry weight was observed on fifth day as 53.4 mg/day for Congo red, 50.8 mg/day for Rhodamine 6G, 54.0 mg/day for Malachite green. The decolourization of Congo red, Rhodamine 6G and Malachite green at 50 μM concentration were observed as 77%, 65.3%, and 75.2%, respectively on fifth day (Figure 2). In Trametes sp, maximum mycelial dry weight was observed on fifth day as 56.4 mg/day for Congo red, 51.4 mg/day for Rhodamine 6G, 55.0 mg/day for Malachite green. The decolourization of Congo red, Rhodamine 6G and Malachite green at 50 μM concentration were observed as 89%, 54.5%, and 76.1%, respectively on fifth day (Figure 3). Phanerochaete chrysosporium could remove 80-97% of Tropeolin O and Congo red, within 5 days [24].

regular time intervals and filtered through a G3 sintered glass filter. The optical density of the clear filtrate was measured at 497, 524 and 620 nm, respectively for Congo red, Rhodamine 6G, and Malachite green in a spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, TCC 240).

Decolourization of textile industry effluent: To determine the efficiency of treatment of a textile industry effluent, two modes of treatment were adopted, since different modes can show different efficiencies in the treatment. The ability of the fungi to remove colour from textile industry effluent was assayed in the modified C-limited medium [23]. The medium contain textile industry effluent, instead of distilled water in equal volume. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 4.5 to the effluent amended medium (950 ml), 50 ml of spore suspension

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Figure 2: Removal of Azo dyes from aqueous solution by Ganoderma sp.

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Figure 1: Removal of Azo dyes from aqueous solution by Poria sp.

(105 spore/ml) was inoculated and maintained at 39°C. Samples were withdrawn at regular time intervals and analysis for colour removal was carried out. The intensity of the effluent colour was measured at 490 nm (Shimadzu, TCC 240).

Citation: Selvam K, Arungandhi K, Rajenderan G, Yamuna M (2012) Bio-Degradation of Azo Dyes and Textile Industry Effluent by Newly Isolated White Rot Fungi. 1:564 doi:10.4172/scientificreports.564

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Bjerkendra aedusta and Trametes versicolor removed 95% of HRB38 dye within 4 days [25], and also Fomes lividus was able to decolourize 30.8% of orange G within 9 days, where as Congo red was removed up to 74% within 8 hours and amido black 10B up to 98.9% in 6 hours [26]. The complete decolourization of amido black, Congo red, trypan blue, methyl green, Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBB), methyl violet within six days [27], and azo dyes Congo red, fast blue RR salt, methyl orange, acid red and amidoblack 10B by Trametes versicolor [28]. Pleurotus ostreatus was used for decolourization activities of the dyes, basic blue 9, acid blue 29, Congo red and disperse red1 [29]. A newly isolated fungus, Geotrichum candidum, decolourized 21 types of dyes [30]. The adsorption of acid green 27, acid violet 7 and indigo carmine dyes on living and dead mycelia of Trametes versicolor [31]. Adsorption of dyes to the microbial cell surface is the primary mechanism of decolourization [32]. The results suggested that decolourization of azo dyes (Congo red, Rhodamine 6G and Malachite green) at 50 μM concentration by Poria sp proved to be efficient.

Decolourization of textile industry effluent in two modesIn the study, the treatment of textile industry effluent by the

mycelia of Poria sp. removed 92.08% of colour in a batch mode from the effluent on the seventh day of incubation, where as in continuous mode, maximum color removal of 70.74% achieved on the seventh day (Figure 4). Ganoderma sp. mycelia have removed 90.36% of colour in

a batch mode on seventh day of incubation, where as in continuous mode, only a maximum of 65.40% on the seventh day (Figure 5). In the study on the treatment of a textile industry effluent, mycelia of Trametes sp. removed 87.09% of colour in a batch mode from the effluent on the seventh day of incubation, where as in a continuous mode at the maximum of 65.40% on seventh day (Figure 6). Thelephora sp. could remove 61% of colour in batch mode on third day of incubation, and in a continuous mode, 50% of colour has been removed on the seventh day. Pleurotus florida could decolourize the effluent up to 37.87% and 28.78% of colour removal was achieved by Trametes hirsute. Several industrial dyes were decolourized biocatalyticaly by extra cellular enzymes.

ConclusionIn the present study, Poria sp, Ganoderma sp and Trametes sp were

used for decolourization of Congo red, Rhodamine 6G and Malachite green, and also for dye industry effluent. Poria sp was found to be the most effective fungus in decolourization of Azo dyes and dye industry

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Figure 3: Removal of Azo dyes from aqueous solution by Trametes s.p.

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Citation: Selvam K, Arungandhi K, Rajenderan G, Yamuna M (2012) Bio-Degradation of Azo Dyes and Textile Industry Effluent by Newly Isolated White Rot Fungi. 1:564 doi:10.4172/scientificreports.564

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effluent, resulting in almost complete colour removal at the end of fifth and seventh day of incubation period. It was concluded that the efficiency of dyes decolourization depends on the structure and complexity of azo dyes. These results showed that the complex and large structure of these compounds are more sensitive to enzymatic decolourization. The use of White rot fungi may conceivably be extended to other anthraquinone-type textile dyes, indeed suggesting a potential application field for the removal of dyes from industrial effluents.Acknowledgement

This research work was funded by University Grants Commission (UGC) Major Research Project, No.F.35-31/2009 (SR). The authors thank University Grant Commission (UGC) for their constant financial support and guidance rendered throughout the period of study.

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