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Reduction of azo dyes by anaerobic bacteria: microbiological and biochemical aspects

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Abstract

Azo dyes are recalcitrant pollutants commonly found in several industrial wastewaters, such as those originated from textile factories, which generally persist to biological transformation. Discharge of these effluents in open water bodies not only represents an aesthetic problem, but also may limit photosynthesis in aquatic plants. Furthermore, many azo dyes and products derived from their partial transformation in the environment (e.g. aromatic amines) may be toxic or carcinogenic. Biological wastewater treatment processes have emerged as promising technologies to remove azo dyes from industrial effluents and intensive research has been conducted during the last two decades in order to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the reductive decolourisation of azo dyes. The present work describes the main biochemical and microbiological aspects involved in the reductive decolourisation of azo dyes by anaerobic bacteria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. División de Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICyT), Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Col. Lomas 4a, Sección, San Luis Potosí, 78216, Mexico

    Francisco J. Cervantes

  2. Departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici bloco 713, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

    André B. Dos Santos

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  1. Francisco J. Cervantes
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Correspondence to Francisco J. Cervantes.

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Cervantes, F.J., Dos Santos, A.B. Reduction of azo dyes by anaerobic bacteria: microbiological and biochemical aspects. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 10, 125–137 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-011-9228-9

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