Microbial remediation of triphenylmethane dyes contaminated wastewater: A review

Abstract

Extensive dependence of textile and other industries on the synthetic dyes have made these chemicals a necessary evil nowadays. Among all classes of dyes, triphenylmethane dyes (TPMs) are most common and unfortunately most hazardous. The wastewater originated from various industries is usually found to contain a major portion of TPMs along-with other synthetic dyes, inorganic and organic contaminant which lead to serious environmental consequences.  In this regard, microbial remediation of such synthetic chemicals seems to be a very robust, cost effective and environment friendly strategy. Microbial remediation exploits the enzymatic capabilities of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi or microalgae) to cope with recalcitrant synthetic dyes and other chemicals. The remediation of TPMs can occur either by the phenomenon of adsorption onto the microbial systems or through the degradation by the enzymatic or metabolic mechanisms of the microbe under optimized conditions. Both of the two ways convert the toxic chemicals to harmless and friendly products. Biodegradation or bioremediation of pollutants can be achieved through various living organisms such as plants and algae. But the current review only focuses on the remediation of TPMs by microbes such as bacteria, yeast and fungi. The factors such as pH, temperature, inoculum size, dye concentration etc. which have profound effect on optimization of degradation of TPMs, can never be neglected and hence they are discussed in detail in the present study. In this way we claim that the present article will provide deep insights into the current consequences of TPMs and related toxicants being added to our environment. Further, an emphasis on the implementation of bioremediation to get rid of such chemicals from our waters would be helpful to enhance the interest of researchers and scientists already working on the same theme.