Lignin Decolorization and Degradation of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent by Ligninolytic Bacteria

The aim of this research work is to isolate bacterial strains with high potential in the degradation and decolorization of lignocellulose compounds of paper mill effluent. Four bacterial strains were isolated from marine sediments and they were screened to their ability to degrade the lignin and decolorize the Century pulp and paper mill effluent. Among four bacterial strains, three bacterial strains Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus endo-phyticus, Bacillus sp. were capable of ligninolytic activity. Consortium made by these bacterial strains enhances the degradation of lignin as well as decolorization. Various nitrogen source, carbon source, pH, temperature and low molecular weight organic acids were used in the optimization process of decolorization and degradation of lignin in paper mill effluent. Maximum decolorization 68.29% was found at pH 7.92, temperature 33°C, in the presence of glucose (as carbon source) 0.99% and yeast extract (as nitrogen source) 0.36% when it was optimized through response surface methodology.