Differential fate of metabolism of a disperse dye by microorganisms Galactomyces geotrichum and Brevibacillus laterosporus and their consortium GG-BL

The present work aims to evaluate Brown 3 REL degrading potential of developed microbial consortium GG-BL using two microbial cultures, Galactomyces geotrichum MTCC 1360 (GG) and Brevibacillus laterosporus MTCC 2298 (BL). Microbial consortium GG-BL showed 100% decolorization of a dye Brown 3 REL, while individually G. geotrichum MTCC 1360 and B. laterosporus MTCC 2298 showed 26% and 86% decolorization under aerobic condition (shaking) respectively. Measurements of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (76%) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (68%) were done after decolorization by consortium GG-BL. No induction in activities of oxidoreductive enzymes found in G. geotrichum while B. laterosporus showed induction of veratryl alcohol oxidase, Nicotineamide adenine dinucleotide-dichlorophenol indophenol (NADH-DCIP) reductase and riboflavin reductase indicating their role in dye metabolism. Consortium GG-BL showed induction in the activities of laccase, veratryl alcohol oxidase, tyrosinase, NADH-DCIP reductase and riboflavin reductase. Two different sets of induced enzymes from G. geotrichum and B. laterosporus work together in consortium GG-BL resulting in faster degradation of dye. The degradation of Brown 3 REL was analyzed using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Phytotoxicity study revealed that metabolites formed after degradation was significantly less toxic in nature.