An investigation of anthraquinone dye biodegradation by immobilized Aspergillus flavus in fluidized bed bioreactor

Purpose

Biodegradation and biodecolorization of Drimarene blue K₂RL (anthraquinone) dye by a fungal isolate Aspergillus flavus SA2 was studied in lab-scale immobilized fluidized bed bioreactor (FBR) system.

Method

Fungus was immobilized on 0.2-mm sand particles. The reactor operation was carried out at room temperature and pH?5.0 in continuous flow mode with increasing concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 500?mg?l^?1) of dye in simulated textile effluent on the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th, and 14th days. The reactors were run on fill, react, settle, and draw mode, with hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24?C72?h. Total run time for reactor operation was 17?days.

Results

The average overall biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and color removal in the FBR system were up to 85.57%, 84.70%, and 71.3%, respectively, with 50-mg?l^?1 initial dye concentration and HRT of 24?h. Reductions in BOD and COD levels along with color removal proved that the mechanism of biodecolorization and biodegradation occurred simultaneously. HPLC and LC?CMS analysis identified phthalic acid, benzoic acid, 1, 4-dihydroxyanthraquinone, 2,3-dihydro-9,10-dihydroxy-1,4-anthracenedione, and catechol as degradation products of Drimarene blue K₂RL dye. Phytotoxicity analysis of bioreactor treatments provided evidence for the production of less toxic metabolites in comparison to the parent dye.

Conclusion

The present fluidized bed bioreactor setup with indigenously isolated fungal strain in its immobilized form is efficiently able to convert the parent toxic dye into less toxic by-products.