Breaking Down Methyl Red Dye: How a Common Fungus Does It and What It Produces

Jenn Hoskins
19th August, 2024

Breaking Down Methyl Red Dye: How a Common Fungus Does It and What It Produces

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Nanjing University found that the fungus S. commune 15R-5-F01 can degrade over 96% of the synthetic dye Methyl Red in just 3 hours
  • The fungus adapts well to various environmental conditions, including different pH levels, temperatures, and contaminants, making it suitable for industrial wastewater treatment
  • The degradation process reduces Methyl Red into less harmful compounds, significantly lowering the dye's toxicity and making the treated water safer for reuse or discharge
Synthetic dyes are widely used in various industries, particularly in textiles. However, their complex structures and resistance to microbial degradation pose a significant environmental threat. The recent study conducted by researchers at Nanjing University[1] focuses on the degradation of Methyl Red, a common synthetic dye, using the fungus S. commune 15R-5-F01. This study demonstrates the fungus’s high degradation efficiency and adaptability to various environmental conditions, making it a promising candidate for sustainable dye degradation in industrial wastewater. The study found that S. commune 15R-5-F01 exhibited over 96% degradation efficiency of Methyl Red in a medium with 100 mg L-1 Methyl Red within just 3 hours. The fungus showed remarkable adaptability to different pH levels, temperatures, oxygen concentrations, salinity, and heavy metals. This adaptability is crucial for practical applications, as industrial wastewater often contains a complex mixture of contaminants. One of the key findings of the study is the fungus’s ability to achieve repeated cycles of Methyl Red reduction, maintaining sustained degradation for at least six cycles. This indicates that S. commune 15R-5-F01 can be used repeatedly without significant loss of efficiency, which is advantageous for continuous wastewater treatment processes. The maximum biodegradation capacity of the fungus was recorded at 558 mg g-1 dry mycelia, with a bioadsorption capacity of 57 mg g-1. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis confirmed the azo reduction of Methyl Red into less harmful compounds, specifically N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine and 2-aminobenzoic acid. This reduction process is facilitated by the enzymatic activities of lignin peroxidases, laccases, and manganese peroxidase, as indicated by enzymatic activity assays. These enzymes play a crucial role in breaking down the complex dye molecules into simpler, less toxic compounds. Phytotoxicity tests on seeds of Triticum aestivum (wheat), Oryza sativa (rice), and Vigna umbellata (rice bean) revealed that the degradation products were less toxic compared to Methyl Red itself. This finding is significant, as it suggests that the biodegradation process not only removes the dye but also reduces its environmental toxicity, making the treated water safer for discharge or reuse. The results of this study build on previous research in the field of dye biodegradation. For instance, earlier studies have shown that no biodegradation methods are absolute in treating all textile dyes, often leading to structure-dependent degradation efficiencies[2]. The use of fungi like Trametes hirsuta D7 has been explored for degrading azo dyes, with varying success rates depending on the dye structure[2]. The current study’s findings with S. commune 15R-5-F01 provide a more consistent and efficient approach, especially given the fungus’s adaptability and repeated use capabilities. Furthermore, the study’s focus on the enzymatic pathways involved in dye degradation aligns with previous research that has identified lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase as key enzymes in the biodegradation of complex dyes like Congo Red[3]. The current study expands on this by demonstrating the involvement of additional enzymes such as laccases, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the biodegradation mechanisms. The study also highlights the importance of integrating various treatment methodologies for effective wastewater treatment. Previous research has emphasized the need for combining physical, chemical, and biological processes to achieve better decontamination of textile wastewater[4]. The high degradation efficiency and reduced toxicity achieved by S. commune 15R-5-F01 suggest that incorporating this fungus into integrated treatment systems could enhance overall treatment outcomes. In conclusion, the research conducted by Nanjing University identifies S. commune 15R-5-F01 as a highly effective and adaptable candidate for the biodegradation of synthetic dyes like Methyl Red in industrial wastewater. The fungus’s high degradation efficiency, adaptability to various environmental conditions, and ability to reduce toxicity of the degradation products make it a promising solution for sustainable wastewater treatment. This study not only builds on previous research but also provides new insights into the enzymatic pathways involved in dye degradation, paving the way for more effective and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment technologies.

BiochemMarine BiologyMycology

References

Main Study

1) Methyl Red degradation by a subseafloor fungus Schizophyllum commune 15R-5-F01: efficiency, pathway, and product toxicity.

Published 19th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-024-04037-z

Related Studies

2) Understanding the biodegradation pathways of azo dyes by immobilized white-rot fungus, Trametes hirsuta D7, using UPLC-PDA-FTICR MS supported by in silico simulations and toxicity assessment.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137505

3) Congo Red Decolorization and Detoxification by Aspergillus niger: Removal Mechanisms and Dye Degradation Pathway.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3049686

4) Current Trends on Role of Biological Treatment in Integrated Treatment Technologies of Textile Wastewater.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.651025


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