title: Novel fungal consortium for bioremediation of metals and dyes from mixed waste stream.
abstract: The present study is targeted towards development of a three member fungal consortium for effective removal of metals [Cr(6+) and Cu(2+)] and dyes [AB and PO] from mixed waste streams. Initial studies using individual fungal strain showed that Aspergillus lentulus was best for Cu(2+) and AB removal, Aspergillus terreus for Cr(6+) removal whereas, Rhizopus oryzae was best for PO removal. Based on the complementary pollutant affinities and positive interactions, a consortium comprising all three strains was developed. Consortium removed 100% Cr(6+) and 81.60% Cu(2+) from metal mixture which was significantly higher than that achieved individually by A. lentulus (Cr(6+): 83.11%; Cu(2+): 67.32%), A. terreus (Cr(6+): 95.57%; Cu(2+): 65.77%) or R. oryzae (Cr(6+): 25.34%; Cu(2+): 30.20%). Further, 98.0% AB and 100.0% PO was removed after 48 h by the consortia. Unlike individual strains, consortium's performance was unaltered irrespective of the complexity of metal-dye mixtures, thereby establishing its superiority.
authors.affiliation: Applied Microbiology Lab, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: Applied Microbiology Lab, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India. Electronic address: anushree_malik@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Anushree
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malik
mesh_terms: D001230:Aspergillus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008954:Models, Biological; D012233:Rhizopus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013045:Species Specificity; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Bioremediation; Consortium; Dyes; Heavy metals; Mixed waste stream