Textile effluent biodegradation potentials of textile effluent-adapted and non-adapted bacteria

Environmental pollution has been recognized as one of the major problems of the modern world. The increasing demand for water and the dwindling supply has made the treatment and reuse of industrial effluents an attractive option. Textile effluents are of concern because they colour the drains and ultimately the water bodies. They also diminish the water quality. The ability of microorganisms to degrade and metabolize a wide variety of compounds has been recognized and exploited in various biotreatment processes. This study investigated the potential of bacteria isolated from textile industries wastewater and drains (textile effluent adapted bacteria) and isolates from a municipal landfill (effluent non-adapted bacteria). We discovered effluent adapted strains of Acinetobacter, Bacillus and Legionella with potentials for colour removal and strains of Acinetobacter, Bacillus and Pseudomonas with chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal activities. Only strains of Bacillus with potentials for use in colour and COD removal were isolated from the landfill. Plasmid screening did not reveal the presence of plasmids in the isolates. Thus the involvement of extra-chromosomal genes is not suggested. In conclusion, as a preliminary step in the development of textile effluent biotreatment using indigenous microbes, we have discovered some strains with potency to decolourize and/or remove COD.