Biodegradation of azo dye compounds

Azo dyes are one of the oldest industrially synthesized organic compounds characterized by presence of Azo bond (-N=N-) and are widely utilized as coloring agents in textile, leather, cosmetic, paint, plastic, paper, and food industries During textile processing, inefficiencies in dyeing result in large amounts of the dyestuff (varying from 2% loss when using basic dyes to a 50% loss when certain reactive dyes used) is being directly lost to the wastewater, which ultimately finds its way into the environment. The physico-chemical method of industrial effluent treatment does not remove the dyes effectively. Microbial degradation and decolorization of azo dyes has gained more attention recently because of eco-friendly and inexpensive nature. Microbes and there enzymes could decolorize the dyes by both aerobic and anaerobic metabolis. This review provides a general idea of decolorization and biodegradation of azo dyes with various microbes and highlights the application of for the treatment of azo dye-containing wastewaters.