Biodecolorization and degradation of xenobiotic azo dye - Basic Red 46 by Staphylococcus epidermidis MTCC 10623

Abstract

A critical environmental menace looms on account of excessive discharge of contaminated effluent from the textile industry. In the present study, Staphylococcus epidermidis MTCC 10623 was examined for its potential to decolorize Basic Red 46 dye (BR 46), an extensively used dye in textile industry. S. epidermidis showed 99.6% decolorization of BR 46 at pH 9.0 and 40°C temp. after 6 h incubation. Addition of glucose (0.3%) and ammonium sulfate (0.1%) as carbon and nitrogen source enhanced the decolorization ability. Decolorization of BR 46 with bacterial cells immobilized over polyurethane foam (PUF) and nylon mesh (NM), resulted in 99.7 and 99.6% decolorization after 6 h incubation. UV-Vis and FTIR analysis of metabolites formed after bacterial treatment suggested that decolorization was due to degradation and not owing to adsorption. Phytotoxicity assay of these metabolites had no adverse effects on germination rate of test plants, which revealed that the treated effluent was safe for irrigation.