A novel hybrid technology for remediation of molasses-based raw effluents

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 102; no. 3; pp. 2411 - 2418
• Main Authors: Verma, Ashutosh Kumar, Raghukumar, Chandralata, Naik, Chandrakant Govind
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2011; [New York, NY]: Elsevier Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Artemia; Basidiomycota - metabolism; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Color; Crack opening displacement; Decolorization; Detoxification; Effluents; Exact sciences and technology; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungi; Larvae; Marine-derived fungus; Molasses - microbiology; Molasses - radiation effects; Molasses-based wastewater; Pollution; Raw; Sonication; Sonication - methods; Toxicity; Turbidity; Use and upgrading of agricultural and food by-products. Biotechnology; Wastewaters; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical - radiation effects; Water Purification - methods; Water treatment and pollution; Sonication; Molasses-based wastewater; Decolorization; Detoxification; Marine-derived fungus; Molasses; Pollution control; Hybrid; Decolorizing process; Waste water; Marine environment; Fungus; Remediation; Effluent
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.10.112

A novel three-step technology for treatment of four molasses-based raw industrial effluents, varying in their COD, color and turbidity is reported here. Sequential steps involved in this treatment are; (1) sonication of the effluents, (2) whole-fungal treatment of these by a ligninolytic marine fungus and (3) biosorption of the residual color with heat-inactivated biomass of the same fungus. Sonication reduced the foul odor and turbidity of the effluents. It increased biodegradability of the effluents in the second stage of treatment. Laccase production in the presence of all the four effluents was directly correlated with their decolorization. After the third step, a reduction of 60–80% in color, 50–70% in COD and 60–70% in total phenolics were achieved. Comparative mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra indicated increasing degradation of the effluent components after each stage. Toxicity (LC50 values) against Artemia larvae was reduced by two to five folds.