Biodecolourization of azo dyes using <i>Phanerochaete chrysosporium</i>: Effect of culture conditions and enzyme activities

987-991This study presents effect of culture conditions [temp. (28-39oC) & agitation speed (0-200 rpm)] on biodecolourization of azo dyes [Direct Red - 80 (DR-80) & Mordant Blue – 9 (MB-9)] over an initial concentration range of 10-100 mg/l using white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium in batch shake flasks. Optimum values of temperature & agitation speed, respectively, for dye decolourization were found to be: DR-80, 39oC & 200 rpm; and MB-9, 37oC & 150 rpm. Both dyes were best removed at the least initial concentration (10 mg/l). Employing Arrhenius equation, activation energies for decolourization of dyes were estimated to be: DR-80, 32.67; and MB-9, 39.12 kJ/mol. Maximum enzyme activities of LiP and MnP were found to be more with DR-80 than with MB-9. Study proved very good potential of ligninase producing fungus in decolourization of industrial wastewaters containing synthetic dyes