An investigation of the biodegradation of textile dyes by aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms

There is increasing concern about industrial effluents discharge throughout the world, which is exemplified by stricter legislation in the European Community. The objectives of this investigation were to examine the degradation of a range of textile dyes including azo dyes by aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. A number of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial and fungal cultures which can utilise dyes as the sole carbon source have been isolated under prolonged enrichment culture conditions from textile and dye effluent samples.