Fate and biodegradability of sulfonated aromatic amines

Structure-related endocrine-disrupting potential of environmental transformation products of benzophenone-type UV filters: A review

Benzophenone-type UV filters (BPs) represent a very diverse group of chemicals that are used across a range of industrial sectors around the world. They are found within different environmental compartments (e.g. surface water, groundwater, wastewater, sediments and biota) at concentrations ranging from ng/L to mg/L. Some are known as endocrine disruptors and are currently within the scope of international regulations. A structural alert for high potential of endocrine disrupting activity was assigned to 11 BP derivatives. Due to the widespread use, distribution and disruptive effects of some BPs, knowledge of their elimination pathways is required. This review demonstrates that biodegradation and photolytic decomposition are the major elimination processes for BP-type UV filters in the environment. Under aerobic conditions, transformation pathways have only been reported for BP, BP-3 and BP-4, which are also the most common derivatives. Primary biodegradation mainly results in the formation of hydroxylated BPs, which exhibit a structure-related increase in endocrine activity when compared to their parent substances. By combining 76 literature-based transformation products (TPs) with in silico results relating to their receptor activity, it is demonstrated that 32 TPs may retain activity and that further knowledge of the degradation of BPs in the environment is needed.

Synergistic role of bacterial consortium to biodegrade toxic dyes containing wastewater and its simultaneous reuse as an added value

The current environmental research has fascinated the sustainable exploitation of mix bacterial consortium to biodegrade the environmentally-related toxic compounds, including hazardous synthetic dyes. Based on the existing literature evidence, textile and other industrial waste effluents pollute the natural water bodies. Textile effluent contains synthetic dyes which are liberated in the environment without proper treatment. The presence of toxic dyes added to the textile effluents undoubtedly affects the flora and fauna as that untreated water is used for irrigation by local farmers. Many conventional and biological methods are in action for the treatment of wastewater. Physical and chemical processes are expensive as compared to microbial treatments. The use of microbial consortia generates efficient results. Wastewater is a valuable resource, however, up to 80% of wastewater is released to different water matrices. This discernment needs to change for a better tomorrow. In this context, herein, we present a robust microbial-assisted treatment and simultaneously reuse of the treated wastewater as an added value to induce plant growth. Thus, the microbial approach for textile waste treatment release by-product after degradation should be non-toxic for the environment. In the present study, the toxicity of synthetic textile dye named Reactive Red 120, Reactive Orange 122, Reactive Yellow 160, and Reactive Blue 19 was investigated using a bioassay method with plant species namely Sorghum bicolor. Plate and Pot experiment was conducted with respect to untreated Azo dyes, degraded metabolites obtained from single bacteria, and consortium. Efficient Seed germination (89%), shoot length (12.4 cm), root length (15.6 cm) of the plants were observed for bacterial consortium degraded metabolites exposed seeds after comparing with the control. The degraded metabolite also increases protein (45.56 mg/g) and sugar (3.15 mg/g) contents. Bioremediation of various textile industrial effluents saves the ecosystem from the harmful effects of hazardous dyes. The biological decolorization of the textile azo dyes was investigated under co-metabolic conditions. The degraded metabolites can be used to enhance crop productivity and for commercial application. This mandates the current and future research to develop economically feasible and environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment practices.

Biogenic sulfide for azo dye decolorization from textile dyeing wastewater

Azo dye is the most versatile class of dyes used in the textile industry. Although the sulfidogenic process shows superiority in the removal of azo dye, the role of biogenic sulfide produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the decolorization of azo dye is unclear. This study explored the mechanism of biogenic sulfide for removal of a model azo dye (Direct Red 81 (DR 81)) through biotic and abiotic batch tests with analysis of intermediates of the azo dye degradation. The results showed that biogenic sulfide produced from sulfate reduction directly cleaved two groups of azo bond (-NN-), thereby achieving decolorization. Moreover, the decolorization rate was enhanced by nearly 3-fold (up to 42 ± 1 mg/L-hr; removal efficiency > 99%) by adding an external carbon source or elevating the initial azo dye concentration. This study showed that biogenic sulfide plays an essential role in azo dye decolorization and provides a new avenue for the potential application of biogenic sulfide from the sulfidogenic system for the treatment of azo dye-laden wastewater.

Evaluation of phase transfer kinetics and thermodynamic equilibria of Reactive Orange 16 sorption onto chemically improved Arachis hypogaea pod powder

Biosorbent from pods of Arachis hypogaea (AhP) were inducted with sulphuric acid treatment and then the activated materials were employed to sequester a sulphonated textile dye; Reactive Orange 16 (RO16) from water system. The characteristic features of the surface functionalized AhP (Ct-AhP) were analysed using instrumentation techniques. The biosorption influencing variables like operating pH, agitating time, initial RO16 concentration and temperature effects were investigated. One-factor optimization revealed that 0.5 g Ct-AhP was sufficient to achieve maximum removal of RO16 (20-120 mg/L) within 180 min agitation at 150 rpm. The isotherm data were applied to non-linear isotherms viz., Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin models as well as rate limiting steps were elucidated using kinetic models. Freundlich isotherm showed good fit and pseudo-second order kinetic data explained RO16 removal by Ct-AhP followed chemisorption. The outcome of thermodynamic parametric values infer that RO16 biosorption was spontaneous, feasible and involved exothermic type of heat. Elovich and intraparticle diffusion revealed the biosorption mechanisms. The maximum RO16 biosorption (56.48 mg/g) by 0.5 g Ct-AhP were witnessed in the system containing 120 mg/L RO16 agitated at 150 rpm operating at pH 7.0, 303 K for a span of 180 min. Thus, the Ct-AhP is considered to be a promising biosorbent which can be employed in treating the textile effluents.

Enhanced degradation of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate by a co-culture of Afipia sp. 624S and Diaphorobacter sp. 624L

Two strains, Afipia sp. 624S and Diaphorobacter sp. 624L, were isolated from an enrichment culture with 4-aminobenzenesulfonate (4-ABS) as the only carbon source. Strain 624S utilized 4-ABS as the only source of carbon and energy and degraded 3.8 mM 4-ABS in 2 weeks, releasing a small amount of sulfate ions. On the other hand, strain 624L did not utilize 4-ABS. Additionally, a co-culture of strains 624S and 624L resulted in the enhanced degradation of 4-ABS, and no sulfite was accumulated in the degradation of 4-ABS. When incubated in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0) containing 2.2 mM sodium sulfite, strain 624S exhibited no sulfite oxidation; however, strain 624L completely oxidized the sulfite after 2 days. Furthermore, when manganase, which has the ability to oxidize sulfite, was added to the medium, the degradation rate of 4-ABS was increased in comparison with the non-addition control. These results indicate that the sulfite oxidation might stimulate the degradation of 4-ABS by strain 624S, suggesting syntrophic interaction between strains 624S and 624L based on sulfite oxidation.

Enhanced bisphenol S anaerobic degradation using an NZVI-HA-modified anode in bioelectrochemical systems

As a substitute for bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS) has a longer half-life, higher chemical inertness and better skin permeability than BPA, and it also has a strong endocrine disruption effect. Relatively few studies have focused on the main processing technology for BPS biodegradation, and the findings indicate that the biodegradation efficiency of BPS was relatively low. Therefore, this paper used an NZVI-HA composite-modified bio-anode to enhance the anaerobic degradation of BPS in a Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES). The results showed that the degradation efficiency of BPS was improved from 31.1% to 92.2% with the NZVI-HA modification compared with the control group (CC-BES). FTIR and XPS analyzes demonstrated that HA can accelerate the reduction rate of Fe³⁺ and increase the ratio of Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺. In addition, HA can form Fe-O-HA complexes with NZVI to promote electron transfer. An analysis of the NZVI-HA-BES intermediate metabolites revealed that complex modification properties altered the BPS degradation pathway. An analysis of microbial diversity indicated that the bacteria related to the degradation of BPS may be Terrimonas, Lysobacter, and Acidovorax.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles transformed synthetic textile dye into less toxic intermediate molecules through LC-MS analysis and treated the actual wastewater

The illegal disposal of waste from textile industries having recalcitrant pollutants is a worldwide problem with more severity in developing nations. We used an ecofriendly method to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from a locally-isolated bacterial strain Bacillus marisflavi TEZ7 and employed them as photocatalysts to degrade not only synthetic azo dyes but also actual textile effluents followed by phytotoxicity evaluation and identification of degradation molecules. The strain TEZ7 was taxonomically identified through the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Biogenic AgNPs were characterized for stabilizing molecules, crystal structure, size, shape and elemental composition by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of biogenic AgNPs for three azo dyes such as Direct Blue-1, Methyl Red, and Reactive Black-5 ranged between 54.14 and 96.92% after 5 h of sunlight exposure at a concentration of 100 mg/L. Moreover, the actual wastewater treatment analysis revealed that the 100 mg/L dose of AgNPs significantly decreased the concentration of various physico-chemical parameters of textile effluents such as pH, EC, chlorides, sulphates, hardness, BOD, COD, TSS and TDS. Furthermore, six intermediate molecules of methyl red degradation were identified by LC-MS and it was established by a pot study that these degradation molecules have no phytotoxic effects on rice plants. It was concluded that the AgNPs can be used as an efficient and low-cost strategy for the degradation of azo dyes containing textile wastewaters.

Franconibacter sp., 1MS: A New Strain in Decolorization and Degradation of Azo Dyes Ponceau S Red and Methyl Orange

The aim of the present study is focused on the decolorization and degradation of azo dyes Ponceau S Red and Methyl Orange by a bacterial strain isolated from the gold mining district of San Martin de Loba, South of Bolivar (Colombia) sediment samples and identified as Franconibacter sp. 1MS (GenBank: MT568543) based on phenotypic and genotypic methods. A higher percentage of decolorization at 100 mg/L concentration, 37 °C, and pH 7 was recorded at 120 h of incubation period for both dyes. The UV-vis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the original dyes and their degraded metabolites confirmed that the decolorization was due to degradation. The proposed metabolic pathways for biodegradation of both dyes have been elucidated, which showed the formation of five intermediate metabolites, namely, N,N-dimethylbenzyl-1,4-diamine, sulfonamide, 1,4-diaminobenzene, 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid, and 1-amino-2-naphthol, which are not only highly toxic but also be able to be converted through metabolic activation into mutagenic, carcinogenic, and/or teratogenic species. The phytotoxicity studies of the original dye and degraded metabolites were tested on Phaseolus vulgaris and divulged that the degraded metabolites have toxic effects. An effective phytostimulation was observed in Ponceau S Red, which could be attributed to its capacity for enrichment of the culture medium with essential nutrients, a favorable environment for the growth of the plant.

Characteristics of bacterial populations in an industrial scale petrochemical wastewater treatment plant: Composition, function and their association with environmental factors

The efficiency of petrochemical wastewater biological treatment is dependent upon complex bacterial communities. A well understanding of the structure and function of bacterial community and their association with environmental variables is essential for the elucidation of contaminant removal mechanisms and optimization of wastewater treatment processes. In this study, the bacterial communities and metabolic functions in the primary hydrolysis acidification unit (PHAU), cyclic activated sludge system (CASS), secondary hydrolysis acidification unit (SHAU), and biological aerated filter (BAF) of a petrochemical wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were studied via Illumina high-throughput sequencing. The correlations between bacterial community and environmental variables were also investigated. The phylum Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes were dominant in the petroleum WWTP. The bacterial communities varied with wastewater characteristics and operational parameters, as a result of the differences in biosystems functions. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genes involved in the degradation of benzoate, nitrotoluene and aminobenzoate degradation were abundant in PHAU, and the genes related to the degradation of benzoate, aminobenzoate, chloroalkane, chloroalkene, caprolactam, naphthalene and toluene were abundant in CASS, SHAU and BAF. The Redundancy analysis (RDA) suggested that biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), NH₄⁺-N and total nitrogen concentrations exhibited significant impacts in shaping the structure of bacterial community. Variance partitioning analysis (VPA) showed that 18.6% of the community variance was related to wastewater characteristics, higher than operational parameters of 4.5%. These results provide insight into microbial community structure and metabolic function during petrochemical wastewater treatment, and discern the relationships between bacterial community and environmental variables, which can provide basic data and a theoretical analysis of the design and operation optimization in petrochemical WWTP.

Optimization for enhanced ecofriendly decolorization and detoxification of Reactive Blue160 textile dye by Bacillus subtilis

The bacterial strain capable of decolorization and detoxification of the Reactive Blue 160 dye was isolated from a dye waste disposal site of Tirupur textile industries. The bacterial strain was screened and selected based on its decolorization capability of RB 160dye, which was identified as Bacillus subtilis by 16S rRNA sequencing. The strain was tested for the decolorization potential under different physio-chemical experimental conditions (pH, temperature, agitation, non-agitation) and observed a complete decolorization at pH 7 and 35 °C under shaking condition within 48 h of time. The enzymes such as, Lignin peroxidase, azoreductase and NADH-DCI were significantly induced in the strain during the decolorization of RB160 dye. Phytotoxicity and microbial toxicity studies revealed that the decolorized product of RB160 dye is less toxic to the plants and microbes. Thus, our results recommend the prospective use of B subtilis in bioremediation of RB160 dye.

Adsorption, Modeling, Thermodynamic, and Kinetic Studies of Methyl Red Removal from Textile-Polluted Water Using Natural and Purified Organic Matter Rich Clays as Low-Cost Adsorbent

Clay minerals have large surface areas that contribute to their high adsorption capacity. Pure clays were often used. However, their prices remain expensive. However, the natural clay minerals that are locally available can have economic and environmental benefits for textile wastewater treatment. The tested natural clays had given low removal yields. Therefore, we wanted to test particular rich organic matter clay for adsorbing azo dye, which is a very toxic molecule. In order to make the use of this clay type have a better efficiency for removal of this dye from the polluted waters, the optimal conditions had been specified. The results indicated that advised conditions were as follows: 5 min was the contact time of dye-clay; the better adsorbent masses were 0.25 g and 0.5 g per 100 ml solution for raw (ANb) and purified clays (ANp), respectively; the initial dye concentrations were 1 gL−1 for raw clay and 50 mgL−1 for purified clay; pH solution had any effect on the yield of dye removal only when raw clay was used; however, acid environment was advised when purified clay was the adsorbent and for the two tested clays about 20–30°C was the better solution temperature. X-Ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed that functional groups of clay adsorbed the dye. Langmuir maximum adsorption capacities of ANb and ANp were found to be 397 mgg−1 and 132.3 mgg−1 at pH 7 and 5, respectively. Raw and chemically activated samples gave similar results. Adsorption of ANb and ANp data showed better agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters of the two adsorbents confirmed that the adsorption was endothermic (ΔH > 0) and spontaneous (ΔG0 < 0). Energy level was high when purified clay was used; however, it was significantly lower when the adsorbent was raw clay. Therefore, it was likely that adsorption by carbonates and organic matter involved small energy amounts. Comparing between these and other previous results, Jebel Louka natural clay type is better recommended for MR removal from textile wastewater, since the removal yield was about 98%. Hence, this tested clay type could provide an alternative low-cost material that could be used in treatment of the textile wastewater rich in MR and the obtained adsorption model and desorption tests provided a background for pilot and industrial scale applications.

Impact of reactor configuration on treatment performance and microbial diversity in treating high-strength dyeing wastewater: Anaerobic flat-sheet ceramic membrane bioreactor versus upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor

In this study, an anaerobic flat-sheet ceramic membrane bioreactor (AnCMBR) was used to treat high-strength dyeing wastewater, and compared with an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. The start-up phases of the AnCMBR and UASB reactor were accomplished within 60 d by using cultivated seed sludge. The results showed that the AnCMBR had better COD, TN, and TP removal rates than the UASB reactor. The CH₄ production of the AnCMBR was higher than that of the UASB reactor. The AnCMBR was operated with low energy consumption due to good water permeability of the flat-sheet ceramic membrane. The AnCMBR and UASB reactor had similar CH₄-producing Archaea; Methanosaeta, Methanosarcina, and Methanomassiliicoccus were the most abundant. The AnCMBR had a higher proportion of Desulfovibrio sp. and Desulfomicrobium sp., which are reported to have the potential to degrade reactive dyes. A large number of sulfate-reducing enzymes were deduced to contribute to the sulfate-reducing pathway.

Biodegradation of Remazol Brilliant Blue R using isolated bacterial culture (Staphylococcus sp. K2204)

Staphylococcus sp. K2204, a bacterial isolate, was employed in this work to decolorize Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR), which belongs to the anthraquinone class of textile dye. Staphylococcus sp. K2204 biodegraded 100 mg/L RBBR at 37°C under static condition with the help of extracellular laccase and peroxidases. The products of RBBR degradation were characterized using analytical tools including mass spectral technique. The phytotoxicity tests evaluated the toxicity of RBBR and the products of biodegradation. The research outlined here is the first attempt to utilize Staphylococcus sp. K2204 for remediating the wastewater containing anthraquinone textile dye.

Micro-oxygen bioanode: An efficient strategy for enhancement of phenol degradation and current generation in mix-cultured MFCs

It is controversial to introduce oxygen into anode chamber as oxygen would decrease the CE (Coulombic efficiency) while it could also enhance the degradation of aromatics in microbial fuel cell (MFCs). Therefore, it is important to balance the pros and cons of oxygen in aromatics driven MFCs. A R_MO (micro-oxygen bioanode MFC) was designed to determine the effect of oxygen on electricity output and phenol degradation. The R_MO showed 6-fold higher phenol removal efficiency, 4-fold higher current generation than the R_AN (anaerobic bioanode MFC) at a cost of 26.9% decline in CE. The Zoogloea and Geobacter, which account for phenol degradation and current generation, respectively, were dominated in the R_MO bioanode biofilm. The biomass also showed great difference between R_MO and R_AN (114.3 ± 14.1 vs. 2.2 ± 0.5 nmol/g). Therefore, different microbial community, higher biomass as well as the different degradation pathway were suggested as reasons for the better performance in R_MO.

Electrodegradation of naphthalenic amines: Influence of the relative position of the substituent groups, anode material and electrolyte on the degradation products and kinetics

The electrodegradation of the 4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (4AN1S), 5-aminonaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid (5AN2S) and 8-aminonaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid (8AN2S) was studied, using two electrode materials as anode, BDD and Ti/Pt/PbO₂, and two different electrolytes, sodium sulfate and sodium chloride. The highest COD removal rates were obtained at BDD: for 5AN2S and 8AN2S results were similar in both electrolytes; for 4AN1S, results were better in sodium chloride. The lowest COD removal rates were obtained at the system Ti/Pt/PbO₂-sodium sulfate, for all the studied amines. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal was much higher at BDD for all the amines, in sulfate for 5AN2S and 8AN2S and in chloride for 4AN1S. Nitrogen removal was always almost irrelevant in sulfate medium but higher than 60%, after 6-h assays, in chloride. The highest combustion efficiencies were attained at the system BDD-sodium sulfate and were: 4AN1S-75%; 5AN2S-84%; 8AN2S-74%. HPLC results show that total degradation of the studied aminonaphthalene sulfonates is attained at both anode materials, utilizing any of the electrolytes, with a first order kinetics. However, kinetic constants obtained with the variation of the amines concentration in time are 10-40 times higher in chloride, being slightly higher at Ti/Pt/PbO₂ than at BDD. Regarding the presence of carboxylic acids during the degradation assays, it was observed that the electrolysis of the amines 5AN2S and 8AN2S always lead to higher amounts of oxalic acid and lower quantities of acetic acid than the electrolysis of the amine 4AN1S.

Understanding azo dye anaerobic bio-decolorization with artificial redox mediator supplement: Considering the methane production

Artificial redox mediators (ARM) have been proven to accelerate the azo dye anaerobic bio-reduction (ADAB) but the mechanisms involved are still unclear. Previous studies do seldom focus on the production of methane during the ADAB, particularly if supplemented with ARM. Our studies revealed that the supplement of ARM could significantly accelerate the decolorization rate, recover the inhibited methanogenesis and decrease extracellular polymeric substance secretion in an ADAB system. Supplement of an ARM only enhanced the pre-existing metabolic pathway of the ADAB system. Significant differences in metabolic pathway and microbial community were found between traditional methanogenic system and ADAB system by high-throughput sequencing technique. The ADAB system performed an "over-requirement for electron donor" phenomenon and the requirement amount can be altered by regulating ARM dosage. Response surface methodology was then successfully employed to optimize the dosage of ARM and possible additional electron donor required for ADAB under different conditions.

Simultaneous decolorization of sulfonated azo dyes and reduction of hexavalent chromium under high salt condition by a newly isolated salt-tolerant strain Bacillus circulans BWL1061

The co-existence of dyes, Cr(VI) and high concentration of salt in dyeing wastewater causes serious and complex environmental problems. In this study, a salt-tolerant strain Bacillus circulans BWL1061 was reported to simultaneously remove 50mg/L methyl orange and 50mg/L Cr(VI) under the anaerobic condition with 60g/L NaCl. During the decolorization process, the Cr(VI) reduction occurred preferentially over the dye decolorization due to the dominate utilization of electron by Cr(VI). The analysis of enzyme activities suggested that azoreductase, NADH-DCIP reductase, and laccase were associated with decolorization of methyl orange. A possible degradation pathway was proposed based on the metabolites analysis. The decolorization of methyl orange is involved in the symmetric cleavage of azo bond, which formed N,N-dimethyl p-phenylenediamine and 4-amino sulfonic acid, or the asymmetric cleavage of azo bond, which formed 4-(dimethylamino) phenol and 4-diazenylbenzene sulfonic acid. Phytotoxicity assays showed that strain BWL1061 could decrease the toxicity of methyl orange to Triticum aestivum, Pogostemon cablin and Isatis indigotica Fort during the decolorization process. In this study, Bacillus circulans is reported for the first time that could simultaneously remove azo dyes and Cr (VI) under high salt condition.

Polarity inversion of bioanode for biocathodic reduction of aromatic pollutants

The enrichment of specific pollutant-reducing consortium is usually required prior to the startup of biocathode bioelectrochemical system (BES) and the whole process is time consuming. To rapidly establish a non-specific functional biocathode, direct polar inversion from bioanode to biocathode is proposed in this study. Based on the diverse reductases and electron transfer related proteins of anode-respiring bacteria (ARB), the acclimated electrochemically active biofilm (EAB) may catalyze reduction of different aromatic pollutants. Within approximately 12 d, the acclimated bioanodes were directly employed as biocathodes for nitroaromatic nitrobenzene (NB) and azo dye acid orange 7 (AO7) reduction. Our results indicated that the established biocathode significantly accelerated the reduction of NB to aniline (AN) and AO7 to discolored products compared with the abiotic cathode and open circuit controls. Several microbes possessing capabilities of nitroaromatic/azo dye reduction and bidirectional electron transfer were maintained or enriched in the biocathode communities. Cyclic voltammetry highlighted the decreased over-potentials and enhanced electron transfer of biocathode as well as demonstrated the ARB Geobacter containing cytochrome c involved in the backward electron transfer from electrode to NB. This study offers new insights into the rapid establishment and modularization of functional biocathodes for the potential treatment of complicated electron acceptors-coexisting wastewaters.

Anaerobic biodegradation of (emerging) organic contaminants in the aquatic environment

Although strictly anaerobic conditions prevail in several environmental compartments, up to now, biodegradation studies with emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, have mainly focused on aerobic conditions. One of the reasons probably is the assumption that the aerobic degradation is more energetically favorable than degradation under strictly anaerobic conditions. Certain aerobically recalcitrant contaminants, however, are biodegraded under strictly anaerobic conditions and little is known about the organisms and enzymatic processes involved in their degradation. This review provides a comprehensive survey of characteristic anaerobic biotransformation reactions for a variety of well-studied, structurally rather simple contaminants (SMOCs) bearing one or a few different functional groups/structural moieties. Furthermore it summarizes anaerobic degradation studies of more complex contaminants with several functional groups (CMCs), in soil, sediment and wastewater treatment. While strictly anaerobic conditions are able to promote the transformation of several aerobically persistent contaminants, the variety of observed reactions is limited, with reductive dehalogenations and the cleavage of ether bonds being the most prevalent. Thus, it becomes clear that the transferability of degradation mechanisms deduced from culture studies of SMOCs to predict the degradation of CMCs, such as EOCs, in environmental matrices is hampered due the more complex chemical structure bearing different functional groups, different environmental conditions (e.g. matrix, redox, pH), the microbial community (e.g. adaptation, competition) and the low concentrations typical for EOCs.

Decolourization and biodegradation of Navy blue HER (Reactive Blue 171) dye from Marasmius sp. BBKAV79

White rot fungus Marasmius sp. BBKAV79 (GenBank accession number-KP455496, KP455497) exhibited decolourization and degradation of Navy blue HER dye (concentration 50 mg l^-l) within 24 h under shaking condition. In the present study, various investigated parameters like initial dye concentration, pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources were optimized to develop a faster decolourization process by Marasmius sp. BBKAV79. High-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis of the extracted product confirmed the biodegradation of Navy blue HER. The microbial toxicity and phytotoxicity assay revealed that the degradation of Navy blue HER produced nontoxic metabolites.

Immobilized ligninolytic enzymes: An innovative and environmental responsive technology to tackle dye-based industrial pollutants - A review

In the twenty-first century, chemical and associated industries quest a transition prototype from traditional chemical-based concepts to a greener, sustainable and environmentally-friendlier catalytic alternative, both at the laboratory and industrial scale. In this context, bio-based catalysis offers numerous benefits along with potential biotechnological and environmental applications. The bio-based catalytic processes are energy efficient than conventional methodologies under moderate processing, generating no and negligible secondary waste pollution. Thanks to key scientific advances, now, solid-phase biocatalysts can be economically tailored on a large scale. Nevertheless, it is mandatory to recover and reprocess the enzyme for their commercial feasibility, and immobilization engineering can efficiently accomplish this challenge. The first part of the present review work briefly outlines the immobilization of lignin-modifying enzymes (LMEs) including lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase of white-rot fungi (WRF). Whereas, in the second part, a particular emphasis has been given on the recent achievements of carrier-immobilized LMEs for the degradation, decolorization, or detoxification of industrial dyes and dye-based industrial wastewater effluents.

Anaerobic digestion of recalcitrant textile dyeing sludge with alternative pretreatment strategies

Abundant organic compounds in textile dyeing sludge (TDS) provide possibility for its anaerobic digestion (AD) treatment. However, preliminary test showed little biogas generation in direct AD of the TDS during 20days. In order to improve the AD availability of TDS, alkaline, acid, thermal and thermal alkaline pretreatments were performed. Color and aromatic amines were specifically measured as extra characteristics for the AD of TDS. The rate-limiting steps of AD of TDS were slow hydrolysis rate and inhibited acidogenesis, which were somewhat overcome by pretreatments. Thermal alkaline pretreated TDS performed best enhancement on solubilisation. The biochemical methane potential tests revealed that thermal pretreated TDS showed highest total methane production of 55.9mL/gVS_fed compared to the control with little methane generation. However, thermal alkaline pretreated TDS did not perform well in BMP test as expected. Moreover, the hydrophilicity of reactive dyes in TDS could seriously affect dewaterability of TDS.

Inhibitory effect and mechanism of azo dyes on anaerobic methanogenic wastewater treatment: Can redox mediator remediate the inhibition?

Inhibitory effect of azo dyes on anaerobic methanogenic wastewater treatment (AMWT) has been studied mainly focusing on biological toxicity in the batch test with simulated sole co-substrate. Detailed information on inhibitory effect and mechanism of azo dyes during the long-term operation with real complex co-substrate is limited. Moreover, whether redox mediator (RM) could remediate the inhibition is still unclear in previous studies, especially under the complex scenario. In this study, the real textile wastewater with alternative concentrations of azo dyes (0-600 mg/L) were used to operate a lab-scale high-rate anaerobic methanogenic bioreactor for 127 days, and 50 μM anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) as RM was added at the last period of operation. Azo dyes with concentration of 600 mg/L could cause significant inhibition on overall (decolorizing and methanogenic) performance of AMWT. Specific methanogenic activity assays showed that acetoclastic methanogens was more susceptible to high concentration azo dyes than hydrogenotrophic methanogens. The spatial distribution of extracellular polymeric substance in the anaerobic granular sludge (AGS) showed that the high biological toxicity of azo dyes was mainly attributed to enrichment effect in tightly bound-EPS (TB-EPS). The channels of AGS was clogged by azo dyes, which was evidenced by the hard release of aromatic amines in EPSs as well as decreased porosity of AGS and scanning electron microscope images. Meanwhile, the settling ability, particle size and strength of AGS all deteriorated after azo dyes concentration exceeded 450 mg/L. The dosing of AQS could mostly remediate overall performance of the bioreactor even if the recovery of acetoclastic methanogens was slow. However, except for the porosity with a part of recovery, physical characteristics of AGS hardly recovered, and washout of sludge from the bioreactor was still happening. It suggested that additional attention should be paid to prevent sludge from washout if RM was practically used to remediate the anaerobic reactor inhibited by azo dyes.

Perspectives on carbon materials as powerful catalysts in continuous anaerobic bioreactors

The catalytic effect of commercial microporous activated carbon (AC) and macroporous carbon nanotubes (CNT) is investigated in reductive bioreactions in continuous high rate anaerobic reactors, using the azo dye Acid Orange 10 (AO10) as model compound as electron acceptor and a mixture of VFA as electron donor. Size and concentration of carbon materials (CM) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) are assessed. CM increased the biological reduction rate of AO10, resulting in significantly higher colour removal, as compared to the control reactors. The highest efficiency, 98%, was achieved with a CNT diameter (d) lower than 0.25 mm, at a CNT concentration of 0.12 g per g of volatile solids (VS), a HRT of 10 h and resulted in a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 85%. Reducing the HRT to 5 h, colour and COD removal in CM-mediated bioreactors were above 90% and 80%, respectively. In the control reactor, thought similar COD removal was achieved, AO10 decolourisation was just approximately 20%, demonstrating the ability of CM to significantly accelerate the reduction reactions in continuous bioreactors. AO10 reduction to the correspondent aromatic amines was proved by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Colour decrease in the reactor treating a real effluent with CNT was the double comparatively to the reactor operated without CNT. The presence of AC in the reactor did not affect the microbial diversity, as compared to the control reactor, evidencing that the efficient reduction of AO10 was mainly due to AC rather than attributed to changes in the composition of the microbial communities.

Biodegradation of C.I. Acid Red 1 by indigenous bacteria Stenotrophomonas sp. BHUSSp X2 isolated from dye contaminated soil

A significant proportion of xenobiotic recalcitrant azo dyes are being released in environment during carpet dyeing. The bacterial strain Stenotrophomonas sp. BHUSSp X2 was isolated from dye contaminated soil of carpet industry, Bhadohi, India. The isolated bacterial strain was identified morphologically, biochemically, and on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence. The isolate decolorized 97 % of C.I. Acid Red 1 (Acid RED G) at the concentration of 200 mg/l within 6 h under optimum static conditions (temperature -35 °C, pH 8, and initial cell concentration 7 × 10(7) cell/ml). Drastic reduction in dye degradation rate was observed beyond initial dye concentration from 500 mg/l (90 %), and it reaches to 25 % at 1000 mg/l under same set of conditions. The analysis related to decolorization and degradation was done using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, HPLC, and FTIR, whereas the GC-MS technique was utilized for the identification of degradation products. Phytotoxicity analysis revealed that degradation products are less toxic as compared to the original dye.

Effect of an azo dye on the performance of an aerobic granular sludge sequencing batch reactor treating a simulated textile wastewater

This study analyzed the effect of an azo dye (Acid Red 14) on the performance of an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system operated with 6-h anaerobic-aerobic cycles for the treatment of a synthetic textile wastewater. In this sense, two SBRs inoculated with AGS from a domestic wastewater treatment plant were run in parallel, being one supplied with the dye and the other used as a dye-free control. The AGS successfully adapted to the new hydrodynamic conditions forming smaller, denser granules in both reactors, with optimal sludge volume index values of 19 and 17 mL g(-1) after 5-min and 30-min settling, respectively. As a result, high biomass concentration levels and sludge age values were registered, up to 13 gTSS L(-1) and 40 days, respectively, when deliberate biomass wastage was limited to the sampling needs. Stable dye removal yields above 90% were attained during the anaerobic reaction phase, confirmed by the formation of one of the aromatic amines arising from azo bond reduction. The control of the sludge retention time (SRT) to 15 days triggered a 30% reduction in the biodecolorization yield. However, the increase of the SRT values back to levels above 25 days reverted this effect and also promoted the complete bioconversion of the identified aromatic amine during the aerobic reaction phase. The dye and its breakdown products did not negatively affect the treatment performance, as organic load removal yields higher than 80% were attained in both reactors, up to 77% occurring in the anaerobic phase. These high anaerobic organic removal levels were correlated to an increase of Defluviicoccus-related glycogen accumulating organisms in the biomass. Also, the capacity of the system to deal with shocks of high dye concentration and organic load was successfully demonstrated. Granule breakup after long-term operation only occurred in the dye-free control SBR, suggesting that the azo dye plays an important role in improving granule stability. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed the compact structure of the dye-fed granules, microbial activity being apparently maintained in the granule core, as opposed to the dye-free control. These findings support the potential application of the AGS technology for textile wastewater treatment.

Stimulation of oxygen to bioanode for energy recovery from recalcitrant organic matter aniline in microbial fuel cells (MFCs)

The challenge of energy generation from biodegradation of recalcitrant organics in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is mainly attributed to their persistence to degradation under anaerobic condition in anode chamber of MFCs. In this work, we demonstrated that electricity generation from aniline, a typical recalcitrant organic matter under anaerobic condition was remarkably facilitated by employing oxygen into bioanode of MFCs. By exposing bioanode to air, electrons of 47.2 ± 6.9 C were recovered with aniline removal efficiency of 91.2 ± 2.2% in 144 h. Limited oxygen supply (the anodic headspace was initially filled with air and then closed) resulted in the decrease of electrons recovery and aniline removal efficiency by 52.5 ± 9.4% and 74.2 ± 2.1%, respectively, and further decline by respective 64.3 ± 4.5% and 82.7 ± 1.0% occurred under anaerobic condition. Community analysis showed that anode biofilm was predominated by several aerobic aniline degrading bacteria (AADB) and anode-respiration bacteria (ARB), which likely cooperated with each other and finally featured the energy recovery from aniline. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that anodic bacteria transferred electrons to anode mainly through electron shuttle. This study provided a new sight to acquaint us with the positive role of oxygen in biodegradation of recalcitrant organics on anode as well as electricity generation.

Exploiting the efficacy of Lysinibacillus sp. RGS for decolorization and detoxification of industrial dyes, textile effluent and bioreactor studies

Complete decolorization and detoxification of Reactive Orange 4 within 5 h (pH 6.6, at 30°C) by isolated Lysinibacillus sp. RGS was observed. Significant reduction in TOC (93%) and COD (90%) was indicative of conversion of complex dye into simple products, which were identified as naphthalene moieties by various analytical techniques (HPLC, FTIR, and GC-MS). Supplementation of agricultural waste extract considered as better option to make the process cost effective. Oxido-reductive enzymes were found to be involved in the degradation mechanism. Finally Loofa immobilized Lysinibacillus sp. cells in a fixed-bed bioreactor showed significant decolorization with reduction in TOC (51 and 64%) and COD (54 and 66%) for synthetic and textile effluent at 30 and 35 mL h(-1) feeding rate, respectively. The degraded metabolites showed non-toxic nature revealed by phytotoxicity and photosynthetic pigments content study for Sorghum vulgare and Phaseolus mungo. In addition nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilizing microbes were less affected in treated wastewater and thus the treated effluent can be used for the irrigation purpose. This work could be useful for the development of efficient and ecofriendly technologies to reduce dye content in the wastewater to permissible levels at affordable cost.

Decolourisation of Acid Orange 7 recalcitrant auto-oxidation coloured by-products using an acclimatised mixed bacterial culture

This study focuses on the biodegradation of recalcitrant, coloured compounds resulting from auto-oxidation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in a sequential facultative anaerobic-aerobic treatment system. A novel mixed bacterial culture, BAC-ZS, consisting of Brevibacillus panacihumi strain ZB1, Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain ZB2, and Enterococcus faecalis strain ZL bacteria were isolated from environmental samples. The acclimatisation of the mixed culture was carried out in an AO7 decolourised solution. The acclimatised mixed culture showed 98 % decolourisation within 2 h of facultative anaerobic treatment using yeast extract and glucose as co-substrate. Subsequent aerobic post treatment caused auto-oxidation reaction forming dark coloured compounds that reduced the percentage decolourisation to 73 %. Interestingly, further agitations of the mixed culture in the solution over a period of 48 h significantly decolourise the coloured compounds and increased the decolourisation percentage to 90 %. Analyses of the degradation compounds using UV-visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed complete degradation of recalcitrant AO7 by the novel BAC-ZS. Phytotoxicity tests using Cucumis sativus confirmed the dye solution after post aerobic treatment were less toxic compared to the parent dye. The quantitative real-time PCR revealed that E. faecalis strain ZL was the dominant strain in the acclimatised mix culture.

Influence of Fenton's reagent doses on the degradation and mineralization of H-acid

The recalcitrant H-acid (1-amino-8-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid) in aqueous solution was oxidized by Fenton process, focusing on the relation of Fenton's reagent doses and degradation products. The experimental results showed that COD and TOC removals and biodegradability (BOD/COD ratio) of the solution increased with increasing Fenton's reagent doses. Over 80% COD can be removed and the biodegradability was improved significantly. It was found that major SO3H and NH2 groups in H-acid molecules were mineralized to SO4(2-) and NH4(+) ions during Fenton oxidation processes. H-acid degradation intermediates with benzene structures substituted by hydroxyl and/or carboxyl groups were identified by GC-MS. It was also found that short-chain fatty acids primarily oxalic acid were degradation products of H-acid by Fenton oxidation. Oxalic acid accumulated could account for approximately 60% of the residual TOC. The degradation pathway of H-acid was proposed based on above analyses in this work.

Characterization of a new oxygen-insensitive azoreductase from Brevibacillus laterosporus TISTR1911: toward dye decolorization using a packed-bed metal affinity reactor

This study reports the identification of a new bacterial azoreductase from Brevibacillus laterosporus TISTR1911, its heterologous production in Escherichia coli, the biochemical characterization and immobilization for use in dye biodegradation processes. The recombinant azoreductase (BrAzo) is a monomeric FMN oxygen-insensitive enzyme with a molecular mass of 23 kDa showing a broad specificity for the reduction of synthetic azo dyes. Double hexahistidine-tagged BrAzo was immobilized onto a nickel chelating column and methyl orange was used to assess its degradation potential using a packed-bed reactor. The dye degradation is described by an exponential model in a downstream batchwise continuous flow mode operated with recycling. The complete degradation of methyl orange (170 μM at 600 mL/h) was achieved in 3 h and continued over 9 cycles. Coupling the immobilized BrAzo with glucose dehydrogenase for NADH regeneration yielded a shorter 1.5 h-degradation period that was maintained throughout 16 cycles.

Treatment of azo dye-containing synthetic textile dye effluent using sulfidogenic anaerobic baffled reactor

This study aims at investigating azo dye reduction performance of a sulfidogenic anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) for around 400 days. ABR was operated at 30 °C in a temperature-controlled room and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was kept constant at 2 days. The robustness of ABR was assessed under varying azo dye loadings and COD/sulfate ratios. Additionally, oxygen was supplied (1-2 L air/m(3)reactor min) to the last compartment to investigate the removal of azo dye breakdown products. ABR performed well in terms of COD, sulfate and azo dye removals throughout the reactor operation. Maximum azo dye, COD and sulfate removals were 98%, 98% and 93%, respectively, at COD/sulfate ratio of 0.8. Aeration created different redox conditions in last compartment, which enhanced the removal of COD and breakdown products. The adverse effects of aeration on azo dye reduction were eliminated thanks to the compartmentalized structure of the ABR.

Azo dye decolorization assisted by chemical and biogenic sulfide

The effectiveness of chemical and biogenic sulfide in decolorizing three sulfonated azo dyes and the robustness of a sulfate-reducing process for simultaneous decolorization and sulfate removal were evaluated. The results demonstrated that decolorization of azo dyes assisted by chemical sulfide and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) was effective. In the absence of AQDS, biogenic sulfide was more efficient than chemical sulfide for decolorizing the azo dyes. The performance of sulfate-reducing bacteria in attached-growth sequencing batch reactors suggested the absence of competition between the studied azo dyes and the sulfate-reducing process for the reducing equivalents. Additionally, the presence of chemical reduction by-products had an almost negligible effect on the sulfate removal rate, which was nearly constant (94%) after azo dye injection.

Evaluation of integrated anaerobic/aerobic fixed-bed sequencing batch biofilm reactor for decolorization and biodegradation of azo dye acid red 18: comparison of using two types of packing media

Two integrated anaerobic/aerobic fixed-bed sequencing batch biofilm reactor (FB-SBBR) were operated to evaluate decolorization and biodegradation of azo dye Acid Red 18 (AR18). Volcanic pumice stones and a type of plastic media made of polyethylene were used as packing media in FB-SBBR1 and FB-SBBR2, respectively. Decolorization of AR18 in both reactors followed first-order kinetic with respect to dye concentration. More than 63.7% and 71.3% of anaerobically formed 1-naphthylamine-4-sulfonate (1N-4S), as one of the main sulfonated aromatic constituents of AR18 was removed during the aerobic reaction phase in FB-SBBR1 and FB-SBBR2, respectively. Based on statistical analysis, performance of FB-SBBR2 in terms of COD removal as well as biodegradation of 1N-4S was significantly higher than that of FB-SBBR1. Spherical and rod shaped bacteria were the dominant species of bacteria in the biofilm grown on the pumice stones surfaces, while, the biofilm grown on surfaces of the polyethylene media had a fluffy structure.

A ferrous oxalate mediated photo-Fenton system: toward an increased biodegradability of indigo dyed wastewaters

This study assessed the applicability of a ferrous oxalate mediated photo-Fenton pretreatment for indigo-dyed wastewaters as to produce a biodegradable enough effluent, likely of being derived to conventional biological processes. The photochemical treatment was performed with ferrous oxalate and hydrogen peroxide in a Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) under batch operation conditions. The reaction was studied at natural pH conditions (5-6) with indigo concentrations in the range of 6.67-33.33 mg L(-1), using a fixed oxalate-to-iron mass ratio (C(2)O(4)(2-)/Fe(2+)=35) and assessing the system's biodegradability at low (257 mg L(-1)) and high (1280 mg L(-1)) H(2)O(2) concentrations. In order to seek the optimal conditions for the treatment of indigo dyed wastewaters, an experimental design consisting in a statistical surface response approach was carried out. This analysis revealed that the best removal efficiencies for Total Organic Carbon (TOC) were obtained for low peroxide doses. In general it was observed that after 20 kJ L(-1), almost every treated effluent increased its biodegradability from a BOD(5)/COD value of 0.4. This increase in the biodegradability was confirmed by the presence of short chain carboxylic acids as intermediate products and by the mineralization of organic nitrogen into nitrate. Finally, an overall decrease in the LC(50) for Artemia salina indicated a successful detoxification of the effluent.

Degradation kinetics of 4-amino naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid by a biofilm-forming bacterial consortium under carbon and nitrogen limitations

By decolorization of azo dyes, caused by reductive cleavage of the azo linkage, toxic or recalcitrant amines are generated. The present study deals with the effect of the inflowing medium composition (C:N ratio) on the kinetic behavior of a bacterial biofilm-forming consortium, able to use as carbon, nitrogen and sulfur source, the molecule of 4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (4ANS), which is one of the most recalcitrant byproducts generated by decolorization of azo dyes. All the experiments were carried out at room temperature in a lab-scale packed-bed biofilm reactor. Because environmental conditions affect the bioreactor performance, two mineral salts media containing 4ANS, with distinct C:N ratios; 0.68 (carbon as the limiting nutrient) and 8.57 (nitrogen as the limiting nutrient) were used to evaluate their effect on 4ANS biodegradation. By HPLC and COD measurements, the 4ANS removal rates and removal efficiencies were determined. The cultivable bacterial strains that compose the consortium were identified by their 16S rDNA gene sequence. With the enrichment technique used, a microbial consortium able to use efficiently 4ANS as the sole carbon source and energy, nitrogen and sulfur, was selected. The bacterial strains that constitute the consortium were isolated and identified. They belong to the following genera: Bacillus, Arthrobacter, Microbacterium, Nocardioides, and Oleomonas. The results obtained with this consortium showed, under nitrogen limitation, a remarkable increase in the 4ANS removal efficiency ηANS, and in the 4ANS volumetric removal rates R  V,4ANS, as compared to those obtained under carbon limitation. Differences observed in bioreactor performance after changing the nutrient limitation could be caused by changes in biofilm properties and structure.

Electrochemical incineration of sulfanilic acid at a boron-doped diamond anode

The anodic oxidation of sulfanilic acid solutions has been studied in acidic medium using a divided cell with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a stainless steel cathode. Overall mineralization was achieved under all experimental conditions tested due to the efficient destruction of sulfanilic acid and all its by-products with hydroxyl radicals generated at the BDD anode from water oxidation. The alternative use of an undivided cell with the same electrodes gave rise to the coating of the cathode with polymeric compounds, thus preventing the complete electrochemical incineration of sulfanilic acid. The solutions treated in the anodic compartment of the divided cell were degraded at similar rate under pH regulation within the pH interval 2.0-6.0. The mineralization current efficiency was enhanced when the applied current decreased and the initial substrate concentration increased. The decay of sulfanilic acid was followed by reversed-phase HPLC, showing a pseudo first-order kinetics. Hydroquinone and p-benzoquinone were identified as aromatic intermediates by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and/or reversed-phase HPLC. Maleic, acetic, formic, oxalic and oxamic acids were detected as generated carboxylic acids by ion-exclusion HPLC. Ionic chromatographic analysis of electrolyzed solutions revealed that the N content of sulfanilic acid was mainly released as NH(4)(+) ion and in much smaller proportion as NO(3)(-) ion.

Cloning and functional analysis of the genes coding for 4-aminobenzenesulfonate 3,4-dioxygenase from Hydrogenophaga sp. PBC

The gene coding for the oxygenase component, sadA, of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate (4-ABS) 3,4-dioxygenase in Hydrogenophaga sp. PBC was previously identified via transposon mutagenesis. Expression of wild-type sadA in trans restored the ability of the sadA mutant to grow on 4-ABS. The inclusion of sadB and sadD, coding for a putative glutamine-synthetase-like protein and a plant-type ferredoxin, respectively, further improved the efficiency of 4-ABS degradation. Transcription analysis using the gfp promoter probe plasmid showed that sadABD was expressed during growth on 4-ABS and 4-sulfocatechol. Heterologous expression of sadABD in Escherichia coli led to the biotransformation of 4-ABS to a metabolite which shared a similar retention time and UV/vis profile with 4-sulfocatechol. The putative reductase gene sadC was isolated via degenerate PCR and expression of sadC and sadABD in E. coli led to maximal 4-ABS biotransformation. In E. coli, the deletion of sadB completely eliminated dioxygenase activity while the deletion of sadC or sadD led to a decrease in dioxygenase activity. Phylogenetic analysis of SadB showed that it is closely related to the glutamine-synthetase-like proteins involved in the aniline degradation pathway. This is the first discovery, to our knowledge, of the functional genetic components for 4-ABS aromatic ring hydroxylation in the bacterial domain.

Treatment Methods for the Remediation of Amines: A Review

Various organic amines, most of which both toxic and carcinogenic, are being used extensively worldwide in the syntheses of azo-dyes, polyurethane, pesticides, nylon and many other nitro-aromatics. However, the uncontrolled discharge of these products, back into the environment, releases many primary or intermediate products with similar or even worse levels of toxicity. Therefore, knowledge of the degradation and complete mineralization of these amines, using best techniques with optimum efficiency, is needed. This review is aimed at summarizing the existing studies used for the degradation of amines, employing techniques, such as; biodegradation, thermal, chemical, electrochemical, photochemical, photocatalytic, sonochemical, sono-photo catalytic and sono-ozonation processes. The reactor design for the large scale degradation with optimum efficacy has also been discussed besides attempting a structural correlation to save the environment from such chemical hazards.