A study on significant microbial interaction leading to decolorization and degradation of textile dye Rubine 3GP

The present study evaluates an obligatory interaction between the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3312 and the bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain BCH3 for the biodegradation of the dye Rubin 3GP (R3GP). No significant degradation of R3GP was observed either by Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3312 or by Pseudomonas sp. strain BCH3, when both the cultures were tested individually under their respective optimum medium conditions. However, when both of them were allowed to intermingle with each other, R3GP was found to be degraded within 72 h, with a steady increase in β -1,3-glucanase, chitinase and protease activity in the culture supernatant; indicating the possible role of Pseudomonas sp. strain BCH3 in cell wall lysis of S. cerevisiae NCIM 3312. The present study elucidates a rare microbial interaction where the bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain BCH3 utilizes lysed yeast cells as the sole source of nutrients for its own growth and subsequently performs decolorization and degradation of R3GP. Enzymatic status showed involvement of various oxidoreductive enzymes like lignin peroxidase, laccase, DCIP reductase and azo reductase, indicating their role in decolorization and degradation of R3GP. Degradation was confirmed using HPLC, FTIR analysis and the biochemical pathway of degradation was elucidated by using GC-MS analysis.