Immobilization of Trametes hirsuta D7 in Light Expanded Clay Aggregate for Decolorization of Synthetic Dye

Abstract

Abstract Light Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) in a granular form was used for the immobilization of fungus Trametes hirsuta D7 to decolorize Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dye. The efficacy of LECA as a media for immobilization was assessed using steam activation, contact time, immobilization method and dosage of sorbent. Batch experiments were carried out for decolorization and the results showed that activated LECA has the capability to remove 35% RBBR for 24 h of contact time. Non-freeze dry immobilization process demonstrated a higher decolorization than that of freeze dry process with maximum 88% and 22% removal, respectively. Different dosage of activated and non-freeze dry-LECA was tested to achieve optimum decolorization and it was found that 0.2 g/ml dye could remove 76% dye for 3 hours and reached the maximum removal for 94% at 24 hours with high laccase activities (460 U L− 1). This study found that fungus T. hirsuta D7 and LECA could be used to decolorize RBBR and LECA had the potential to be an alternative matrix for fungi immobilization.