A yeast strain with strong abilities to decolorize various azo dyes aerobically was isolated from the sea
mud. The strain designated as TCL was identified as Pichia sp. on the basis of 18S rDNA analysis. More than
90% of Acid Red B (100 mg/L) was decolorized within 10 h in the Martin Broth at 30 ◦C and 150 r/min, and
strain TCL could tolerate up to 1000 mg/L of the dye. Meantime, the effects of different physicochemical
parameters (media, concentrations of glucose, NH4Cl, initial dye and NaCl) were investigated to improve
the removal efficiency. The significant biodegradation process of Acid Red B rather than inactive surface
adsorption was confirmed by UV–vis, HPLC analysis and colorless microbial cells. In addition, the
metabolic products and partial degradation pathway were proposed with the help of HPLC-MS analysis.
To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that a yeast strain of Pichia sp. has been reported with
the excellent decolorizing ability against azo dyes under shaking conditions. This work conferred the
utilization possibility of strain TCL in the biological treatment of dyeing wastewater