A bacterial consortium (consortium GR)
consisting ofProteus vulgaris NCIM-2027 and Micro-coccus glutamicus NCIM-2168 could rapidly decolor-ize and degrade commonly-used sulfonated reactive
dye Green HE4BD and many other reactive dyes.
Consortium GR shows markedly higher decolorization
activity than that of the individual strains. The pref-erable physicochemical parameters were identified to
achieve higher dye degradation and decolorization
efficiency. The supplementation of cheap co-substrates
(e.g., extracts of agricultural wastes) could enhance the
decolorization performance of consortium GR. Extent of mineralization was determined with TOC and COD
measurements, showing nearly complete mineraliza-tion of Green HE4BD by consortium GR (up to 90%
TOC and COD reduction) within 24 h. Oxidoreductive
enzymes seemed to be involved in fast decolorization/
degradation process with the evidence of enzymes
induction in the bacterial consortium. Phytotoxicity
and microbial toxicity studies confirm that the biode-graded products of Green HE4BD by consortium GR
are non-toxic. Consortium GR also shows significant
biodegradation and decolorization activities for mix-ture of reactive dyes as well as the effluent from actual
dye manufacturing industry. This confers the possibil-ity of applying consortium GR for the treatment of
industrial wastewaters containing dye pollutants.