Abstract
In the current study, an attempt was made to check the potential of aerobic mixed culture of two indigenous white rot fungi
for the decolorization of different disperse dyes in batch culture mode and optimization of different conditions to enhance the
biotransformation of dyes. Initial screening trial with six disperse dyes, viz. (Foron Yellow RD5GL, Foron Red RDRBLS,
Foron Rubine RDGFL, Foron Black RD3GRN, Foron Blue RDGLN and Foron Turquoise SBLN), was carried out using
mixed culture of Ganoderma lucidum and Coriolus versicolor. From all the tested dyes, the mixed culture showed better
removal efficiency (93 %) with Foron Turquoise SBLN dye after 8 days of incubation period as compared to other tested
dyes. Enhanced color removal (98 %) was observed when the medium was amended by ammonium tartarate, maltose,
MnSO4 at pH 4.5 and 30˚C with 2 mL fungal culture during 2nd day of incubation period. Enzyme profile showed that the
mixed culture produced three liginolytic enzymes like lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganase peroxidase (MnP) and laccase but
MnP was found to be the major enzyme. The results indicated that white rot fungi (WRF) could be used to treat wastewater
containing disperse dyes.
