Biodegradation of Wastewater Containing Industrial Dyes; Application of Immobilized White Rot Fungi

The white rot fungi can produce different isoenzymes of extracellular oxidases such as lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and laccase having ability to decompose lignin. Because of the non-specific nature of peroxidases produced by lignin-degrading system of white rot fungi, they can be used for degradation of a wide range of toxic and carcinogenic materials including industrial dyes. Laboratory studies on the ability and physiology of lignolytic system of white rot fungi demonstrated that it is promising to use these fungi for wastewater treatment of those companies which produce and consume industrial dyes. For large-scale treatment of wastewater containing dyes, it is necessary to immobilize these fungi on suitable carries in bioreactors. In this article, considering the metabolic and physiological characteristics of white rot fungi and their lignolytic system, the previous studies carried out on the degradation of dye wastewater using these fungi in free or immobilized form have been mentioned and their perspective has been also presented.