Evaluation of the efficacy of a fungal consortium for degradation of azo dyes and simulated textile dye effluents

Azo dyes are widely prevalent environmental contaminants that are recalcitrant to biodegradation processes and have detrimental biological effects. Hence, exploring the novel microbial agents and to develop ecofriendly cost-effective process is pertinent for treatment of textile effluents. A fungal consortium comprising three strains Penicillium oxalicum SAR-3, Aspergillus niger SAR-6 and Aspergillus flavus SAB-3 has been developed. The consortium exhibited remarkably high potential to degrade azo dyes (Acid Red 183, Direct Blue 15 and Direct Red 75) at various initial concentrations. The consortium used was found to decolorize all the three dyes almost completely at lower initial concentrations (200–400 mg L). The consortium was able to effectively decolorize simulated textile wastewater. UV–Visible and FTIR spectroscopic analysis had denoted the degradation of dyes. Furthermore, toxicity analysis of metabolites generated following degradation had shown significant reduction in the toxicity of dyes.