Biological Decolorization and Degradation of Synthetic Dyes: A Green Step Toward Sustainable Environment

Abstract

Synthetic dyes are extensively used in a variety of industrial applications. The release of dye containing wastewater leads to severe water pollution. The synthetic origin and recalcitrant property of dyes are responsible for superior self-life and difficulties in their degradation. Majority of dyes and their intermediate products are harmful to flora and fauna due to toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic characteristics. Consequently, the treatment of the dye-containing environment has become an important concern for researchers as well as regulatory authorities. A number of techniques mainly based on physical and/or chemical treatment are available for decolorization of synthetic dyes; the application of such techniques has some limitations. Removal of dyes by biological method has received special interest with respect to its eco-friendly nature and cost-competency. Bacteria, yeast, filamentous fungi, algae, actinomycetes, and plants are key players of the biological system. The metabolic diversity in various groups of biological system and ability to work under different environmental conditions provides better advantages for making strategies of decolorization, transformation, degradation, and mineralization of numerous synthetic dyes.