1Department of Microbiology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana 136019, India
2Department of Microbiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana 125004, India
3Dairy Microbiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132001, India
Digested spent wash (DSW) from cane-molasses based distilleries contains a brown coloured recalcitrant polymer, melanoidin, which if disposed untreated poses a great threat to environment. In this study, white rot fungus, Coriolus versicolor was found to decolorize and reduce COD of DSW. Decolorization activity of fungus was dependent on the carbon source in DSW, as no activity was observed in the absence of carbon. Addition of nitrogen either organic or inorganic failed to accelerate decolorization and COD reduction. Maximum decolorization and COD reduction (52%) occurred after 8 d at 35°C and pH 5 when 10% diluted DSW was treated with C. versicolor.
Digested spent wash, Coriolus versicolor, decolorization, BOD, COD, melanoidin
