Comparison of Alkali-Tolerant Fungus Myrothecium Sp. IMER1 and White-Rot Fungi for Decolorization of Textile Dyes and Dye Effluents

Abstract

A new isolated nonligninolytic fungus, strain Myrotheciumsp. IMER1, was found to decolorize five different synthetic dyes when grown on dye-containing agar plates. The capability of Myrothecium sp. IMER1 for decolorization of Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) and dye effluents was compared with that of five white-rot fungi. More than 65% RBBR removal by Myrotheciumsp. IMER1was observed at various pHs (5-10). About 60-95% of decolorization was observed with these white-rot fungi in the acidic pH range of 5.0-6.0, whereas color removal rate was less than 30% in the basic pH range of 8.0-10.0. Myrothecium sp. IMER1 had a more efficient decolorization of the dye in a broad pH range than white-rot fungi tested. In comparison with color removal performance, Myrotheciumsp. IMER1 was approximately 2-5-fold better than white-rot fungi tested in the basic pH range. Additionally, the visual observation and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-VIS) spectral analysis demonstrated that decolorization of dye by Myrothecium sp. IMER1 was due to biodegradation and biosorption. Biomass production was not affected by changes in the pH range of 7-10, indicated that Myrothecium sp. IMER1 is alkali-tolerant fungus. Decolorization of dye effluents by Myrothecium sp. IMER1 at pH 7 and 9 was 73 and 70%, respectively, while less than 25% of decolorization was observed in the case of white-rot fungi tested. Our results showed that Myrothecium sp. IMER1 exhibited efficient decolorization of dye effluents comparedtowhite-rot fungi, indicatingthat the alkali-tolerant strain Myrothecium sp. IMER1 will be potential candidates for wastewater treatment of dye effluents, especially alkaline dye effluents.