Evaluation of the Ability of Endophytic Fungi from <i>Cupressus torulosa</i> to Decolorize Synthetic Textile Dyes

Abstract

Ecofriendly dye decolorization is a prerequisite for textile industries to tackle hazardous textile effluents. In the present study, we have reported a laccase producing (19.12 ± 3.45 U/mL) fungal endophyte, namely, Penicillium megasporum Orpurt et Fennell NFCCI 3977. The endophytic laccase was evaluated for synthetic textile dyes (congo red, orange G, and rhodamine B) decolorization by considering the carbon, nitrogen, and pH effects. The endophytic-based laccase decolorization showed promising results with the decolorization of congo red (89.4 ± 3.2%), orange G (76.2 ± 2.5%), and rhodamine B (54 ± 2.8%) using glucose and beef extract as carbon and nitrogen sources at pH 6.0. Thus, the present study demonstrated the efficiency of new endophytic fungi for decolorization ability of synthetic textile dyes in an ecofriendly manner. The research findings showcase the handling of the proper disposal of hazardous synthetic textile dyes into the environment through the biological approach by replacing the existing toxic chemical-based disposal approaches.