Decolorization of Azo Dyes using Dried Biomass of Bacillus cereus RC1 and Kocuria kristinae RC3

The dried biomass of Bacillus cereus RC1 and Kocuria kristinae RC3 were evaluated for their efficacy in decolorizing two azo dyes, Eriochrome Black T and Amido Black 10B, respectively in batch system. Further, the influence of the initial dye concentration, contact time, concentration of biomass, temperature and pH on the dye decolorization efficacy of the bacterial biomass was studied. The findings suggested the profound dye adsorption efficacy of the bacterial biomass towards the test dyes, in aqueous solution. In addition, the experimental findings also showed the effect of the process parameters on the extent of biosorption. The bacterial biomass of B. cereus RC1 (200mg/l) exhibited the highest dye uptake (EBT) of 72.66% in an aqueous solution of pH 7.0 (at 35 degrees C) with an initial dye concentration of 45 mg/l with a contact time of 60min. In case of K. kristinae RC3 (300mg/l), the optimum decolorization (AB) of 91.27% was achieved at 35 degrees C with an initial dye concentration of 15 mg/l and pH value of 7.0. The optimal contact time was found to be 90min. Thus, the biomass of B. cereus RC1 and K. kristinae RC3 may be employed to facilitate the treatment of dye contaminated water in an economical and eco-friendly way.