Discoloration of Reactive black 5 by individual and consortium of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Galactomyces pseudocandidum and Escherichia coli free and immobilized

Abstract

The textile industry is a generator of high volumes of waste water with a high content of pollutants such as azo dyes, which are recalcitrant and persistent in the environment, these ones have been of interest in the last decades for the entities in charge of the care of the environment. This study evaluated the ability to discolor of reactive black 5 (NR5) by a consortium and the microorganisms that constitute Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Galactomyces pseudocandidum and Escherichia coli free and immobilized in calcium alginate, coffee husks and bagasse of sugar cane. The results show discoloration was evidenced, where the highest percentage corresponds to G. pseudocandidum (90,05%) and the lowest to R. mucilaginosa (79,31%). When comparing the percentages of discoloration between the free microorganisms and the immobilization matrices, it is observed that the former exhibit the highest percentages of discoloration. In addition, there are no significant differences between using cane bagasse or coffee husks as immobilization matrix.

Keywords

• Calcium alginate beads
• bagasse
• coffe hucks
• immobilized cells
• percentage of discoloration