BIODEGRADATION OF TEXTILE AZO DYE CONGO RED BY AN ISOLATED BACTERIUM BACILLUS SP.

Azo dyes are used in different industries such as food, textile, printing and pharmaceuticals. After using the dye, the remaining effluents get mixed with fresh water causing pollution. Biodegradation is a green friendly method used for the degradation of azo dyes. In this study, the degradation of azo dyes was carried out by using Bacillus species that were isolated from the soil obtained from the textile industry. Biochemical tests were carried out and identified as Bacillus species. Spectrophotometry analysis was carried out at 498 nm (congo red) for analysis of dye degradation. The degradation percentage of congo red dye (90.13%) by static conditions within 30 hours under pH 7 at 37° C. The decolourization abilities of bacteria were due to the secretion of azoreductase, which cleaves the azo bond of CR dye. This study confirms the ability of consortium as effective tool to develop a commercial scale biodecolourization plant to treat CR polluted effluent water and also future scope for producing commercial azoreductase enzyme by utilizing modern biotechnological methods.