Decolorization and detoxification of Synozol red HF-6BN azo dye, by Aspergillus niger and Nigrospora sp

In the present investigation the fungi, aspergillus niger and nigrospora sp. were employed for decolorization ofsynozol red hf-6bn. decolorization study showed that aspergillus niger and nigrospora sp. were able to decolorize88% and 96% synozol red 6bn, respectively, in 24 days. it was also studied that 86% and 90% synozol redcontaining of dye effluent was decolorized by aspergillus niger and nigrospora sp. after 28 days of incubation atroom temperature. a fungal-based protein with relative molecular mass of 70 kda was partially purified andexamined for enzymatic characteristics. the enzyme exhibited highest activity at temperature ranging from 40-50°cand at ph=6.0. the enzyme activity was enhanced in the presence of metal cations. high performance liquidchromatography analysis confirmed that these fungal strains are capable to degrade synozol red dye intometabolites. no zones of inhibition on agar plates and growth of vigna radiata in the presence of dye extractedsample, indicated that the fungal degraded dye metabolites are nontoxic to beneficial micro-flora and plantgrowth. aspergillus niger and nigrospora sp. have promising potential in color removal from textile wastewatercontainingazo dyes.