Biodegradation,rotating biological contactor ,Irpex lacteus, dye-containing wastewater

The application of fungal organisms in rotating biological contactors (RBC) representing a type of reactors of choice for bioremediation of liquid industrial wastes has so far been limited. The aim was to investigate the potential of RBC with the fungus Irpex lacteus used in repeated-batch mode for decolorization and detoxification of textile dyes and liquors used for dyeing textiles. The respective biological toxicity values monitored with the battery of bacterial and plant tests were reduced about 10-fold and 103-104-fold. The battery of acute toxicity tests comprising Vibrio fisheri, Lemna minor and Sinapis alba exhibited good sensitivity for monitoring the toxicity of textile dyes and wastewaters. Strong decolorization and detoxification power of I. lacteus biofilms under the conditions of RBC reactor was demonstrated.