Microbial Strategies for Discoloration and Detoxification of Azo Dyes from Textile Effluents

Wastewater from the textile industries contains a variety of pollutants, particularly dyes.In this review, different methods used for decolorization and detoxification of azo dyes have been discussed.Various physical, chemical and biological treatment methods are being employed for decolorization of azo dyes.The majority of treatment methods work either by concentrating the color in to sludge, solid supports or by complete destruction of the dye molecules.Physical and chemical methods employed for textile wastewater treatment are insufficient, not always environment friendly and usually generate unacceptable levels of secondary pollution in the form of sludge.Bioremediation is being viewed as a clean and practicable alternative means to remediate color from dye containing wastewaters.The ability of microorganisms to decolorize and metabolize dyes has been well established.The use of bioremediation based technologies for treatment of textile azo dyes may be a more viable option for sufficiently cleaning dye containing wastewaters hazardous to human health and to the environment.