Decolorization of reactive dyes by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete velutina in presence of Zn and ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract

AbstractReactive organic dyes are hazardous pollutants that should be removed from wastewater from the textile industry. A remediation of dye polluted wastewater can be achieved by using the oxidative properties of nanomaterials, such as ZnO nanoparticles, or by microorganisms and their dye degrading enzymes. Promising approaches are expected from hybrid strategies, which use more than one approach. However, ZnO nanoparticles are also reported to be an antimicrobial and antifungal agent, which may undermine the decolorization ability of potent organisms, such as white rot fungi. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effects of soluble Zn and ZnO nanoparticles on the decolorization behaviour of the white rot fungus Phanerochaete velutina on commonly used reactive dyes, Reactive Orange 16 and Reactive Green 19. Zn ions led to a low decolorized rate of both dyes at low concentrations and restored the rate at higher Zn concentrations. However, ZnO nanoparticles showed highest decolorization rates, but only in a narrow concentration range. Overall, no toxic or inhibitory effects for decolorization of the dyes were found at the applied concentration of up to 20 mg Zn l−1 indicating that tolerant P. velutina will be suitable for remediation of dyes in multi polluted waste waters.