Enhanced decolorization of congo red and methyl orange using Bacillus haynesii ING6: an optimization study using...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Microbiology
• Bioremediation
• Wastewater Treatment

Background:

• Synthetic azo dyes like Congo Red (CR) and Methyl Orange (MO) are persistent pollutants from textile industries, posing ecological and health risks.
• Conventional treatment methods struggle with the toxicity, stability, and recalcitrance of these dyes.
• Developing effective bioremediation strategies is crucial for managing textile effluent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of a thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus haynesii ING6, for the simultaneous decolorization and degradation of CR and MO.
• To optimize process parameters for maximum dye removal efficiency using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
• To establish Bacillus haynesii ING6 as a viable agent for azo dye bioremediation.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and identification of Bacillus haynesii ING6 from hot springs.
• Optimization of process parameters (pH, dye concentration, temperature, inoculum size, sugar concentration) using RSM with Central Composite Design (CCD).
• Statistical analysis using ANOVA to determine significant factors and model validity.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant quadratic models were developed for CR and MO degradation (R² > 0.99).
• Key factors influencing degradation were pH, dye concentration, and temperature.
• Optimized conditions (pH 8, 50 mg/L dye, 55°C, 5% inoculum, 3% sugar) yielded 95.23% CR and 96.29% MO removal.

Conclusions:

• Bacillus haynesii ING6 demonstrates high efficiency in degrading CR and MO, marking the first report of its kind.
• The bacterium shows significant potential as a sustainable bioremediation agent for textile wastewater.
• Optimized conditions facilitated effective simultaneous decolorization, offering a promising eco-friendly solution.