Application of Plackett–Burman Design to Optimize Bioprocess Variables for Decolorization of Reactive Red 195 by a Termite Associated Bacterial Consortium BUTC7

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt has been made to understand about the dye decolorization capacity of termite based microbial consortia. Initial decolorization experiments were carried out to know about the decolorization ability of the consortia and in continuation, its ability of decolorizing reactive red 195 by applying response surface methodology (RSM) was assessed. Plackett–Burman design was applied for this study to understand the most influencing variables out of all the variables and central composite design was applied in order to find out the most suitable concentration range of the selected variables. The quadratic model having R 2 of 0.8950 was generated to describe the combined effect and the interactions. Statistical analysis indicates that the interactions between the variables are found to be significant. The optimum conditions responsible for maximum decolorization efficiency (97.23 %) were found to be pH 7.0, 0 rpm (static mode), 500 mg/L of dye concentration, and 0.25 % yeast extract. All these factors had a significant cumulative positive effect for maximum decolorization performance in the medium. The experimental and predicted values derived during the present study supported the reliability of this design. Hence from the promising results observed in the present study, it is confirmed that the microbial consortium isolated from termite can be employed as potential candidate for the treatment of reactive dyes containing effluents.