MICROBIAL AGENTS FOR DECOLORIZATION OF DYE WASTE-WATER

Colored dye wastewater presents a formidable task for biological treatment. Depending on how it is generated, wide pH spans and high salt concentrations such as chloride ion often add to the difficulties. Systematic screening for dye decolorizing and/or degrading bioagents from soil and water samples discovered fungi which show dramatic color removal capability (Shen, et al., 1990). One example shows that up to 99% reduction of light absorption at characteristic wavelength of a red dye (200 mg/L) could be obtained within 48 hours. This ability does not appear to be specific toward dyes targeted for action. It clarifies, often beyond detection by naked eyes, a repertoire of colored wastewater samples. These results appeared to be insensitive to wide variations in pH and salt concentration and, they are not limited to one particular fungal species or genus either upon further investigation. This dye adsorption mechanism may be of great significance in uncovering new methods for bio-removal or bio-recovery of dye substances in wastewater.