International Journal of Environmental Sciences

Open Access
  • Year: 2011
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue: 6

Enzymatic Degradation of Azo Dyes -A Review

  • Author:
  • T. Chacko Joshni1, Kalidass Subramaniam2,
  • Total Page Count: 11
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 1250 to 1260

1Research Scholar, School of Biotechnology & Health Sciences, Karunya University, Karunya University, Coimbatore 641 114

2Associate Professor of Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology & Health Sciences, Karunya University, Karunya University, Coimbatore 641 114

Abstract

Synthetic organic colourants (e.g., azo dyes) are used commonly in different industries ranging from food, textile production, printing and pharmaceuticals. The majority of these dyes are recalcitrant, so that they can impart colour on various raw materials. Certain dyes, dye precursors and some aromatic amine metabolites produced through biotransformation of dye compounds have been shown to be carcinogenic. The release of dyes into the environment constitutes a small proportion of water pollution, and the coloured wastewaters represent a serious environmental problem and a public health concern. Colour removal, especially from textile wastewaters, has been a big challenge over the last few decades; until now there is no single and economically attractive treatment that can effectively decolourize textile mill effluent. This review narrates the different enzymatic mechanisms in the reduction of azo dyes.

Keywords

Remediation, azo dyes, enzymes, enzymatic degradation pathways