Biodecolorization of anthraquinone and azo dyes by dark septate endophytic fungi

Mycoremediation has been proposed as a useful approach for treating dye wastewater. In the present study, six dark septate endophytic (DSE) strains (KSP, CPP, PP, DD, K.III.3.4, and TKC) were evaluated for their ability to decolorize anthraquinone (RBBR) and azo (AB 113) dyes. The decolorization ability was evaluated in solid and liquid media in conjunction with ligninolytic enzyme production and fungal biomass dry weight. The results showed that all of the tested DSE fungi successfully decolorized 89 % of the RBBR and 97 % of the AB 113 dyes. Three selected DSE strains (KSP, PP, and CPP) demonstrated high decolorization of RBBR (74 %-99 %) and AB 113 (79 %-99 %) dyes at pH 3-11 while producing ligninolytic enzymes. The decolorization occurred through biosorption, biodegradation, and simultaneous detoxification of the dyes. These results suggest that the selected DSE fungi may have the potential to bioremediate dye wastewater, which is usually under alkaline pH.