Exploitation of Aspergillus niger HM 11 for Biodegradation of a Textile Dye Reactive Blue 140

Aspergillus niger HM 11 efficiently decolourized the commercial textile dye Reactive blue 140. Aerobic batch cultures of Aspergillus niger could decolourize up to 88.8per cent of the dye up to 500mg/L. Better performance was achieved in just 24 h of incubation at pH 5.0 and 25°C in the presence of starch (0.2%). Spectrophotometric examination showed that the decolourization was through biodegradation. Shaking condition was found to be better for complete decolourization (24 hrs) of dye (500 mg/L) as compared to static condition. Decolourization occurs during the exponential growth phase. The results indirectly suggested the involvement of an enzyme activity in decolourization is through bond cleavage.