Decolourization of Azo (Acid Red) and Anthraquinonic (Basic Blue) Dyes by the Fungus Aspergillus flavus

Abstract

Present investigation was carried out to study the fungal decolourization of azo (Acid red) and anthraquinonic (Basic blue) dyes by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Decolourization of tested dyes was observed visually and studied through spectrophotometric analyses. Growing fungal cultures were filtered through Whatman filter paper No. 1 and filtrates were centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 5 minutes and supernatant was used for spectrophotometric observations, at absorbance 494 nm and 630 nm, for Acid red and Basic blue dyes, respectively. Decolourization/degradation was recorded by calculating the degradation percentage, using initial and final absorbance of the respective dye. The applied fungal species was found to be able to decolourize the mentioned dyes, as revealed by spectrophotometric analyses which showed a gradual decrease in the initial absorbance and increase in the mycelial yield of the used fungus. Decolourization/ degradation of dye were recorded to be 62%, for Basic blue and 77% for Acid red.