Distillery Effluent Melanoidin Decolorization Induced by a Yeast Strain <i>Candida tropicalis</i> (Y-2)

Abstract

Molasses is used in the manufacturing of ethanol at sugarcane distilleries, which also produces a significant volume of effluent with melanoidin pigment and high BOD, COD, and pH. Melanoidin is a dark brown pigment that may be treated before disposal since it has a number of harmful consequences. This study’s objective was to identify possible melanoidin pigment-decolorizing yeast from natural resources and optimize it for various physiological, chemical, and dietary factors. From the various samples taken from the neighbouring distillery site, a total of 15 yeasts were isolated. Candida tropicalis (Y-2) was the name of the yeast strain that had the most colour decolorization. Within 32 hours of incubation, this strain of yeast displayed maximal decolorization (83%) at 35°C with 0.5% glucose, 0.5% peptone, 0.05% MgSO4, and 0.01% KH2PO4 pH-5. This yeast displayed maximal decolorization in the shortest amount of time while using the least quantity of carbon and nitrogen sources. This yeast strain may be used on an industrial scale to decolorize melanoidin since it is exceedingly successful. This is the first investigation of this unique strain of yeast that decolorizes spent wash.