Isolation and Development of a Bacterial Consortium for Biodegradation of Textile Dyes Reactive Red 31 and Reactive Black 5

Azo dyes represents largest group and most versatile among synthetic dyes. Its Extensiveuse in industries of paper, photography, dying, printing, cosmetics and their subsequent release in industrial effluents by traditional methods of treatment is causing serious environmental problems worlwide. In the present studies a mixed bacterial consortium (azo 8) was isolated from dye polluted soil from valsad and G.I.D.C., Vapi, Gujarat, India, by enrichment technique using Nutrient Broth/Agar and Bushnell and Haas Medium (BHM) incorporated with azo dyes Reactive Red 31 and Reactive Black 5.The consortium shows complete decolorization within 24 – 36 hours in static condition. The presence of laccase suggests its role in the degrdation of dyes. The biodegradation was monitored by TLC, HPLC and LC-MS. The results suggest that locally developed bacterial consortium azo 8 can be useful tool and must be exploited as bioremediation agents to reduce dye pollutants.