Synergistic action of azoreductase and laccase leads to maximal decolourization and detoxification of model dye-containing wastewaters

► The azoreductase PpAzoR, is able to decolourize above 80% 12 out of 18 different azo dyes. ► In general, PpAzoR reaction mixtures show a 2 to 3-fold higher toxicity than intact dyes themselves. ► Toxicity levels dropped 40% after the introduction of CotA-laccase to reaction mixtures. ► A heterologous Escherichia coli strain co-expressing the interest genes was constructed. ► Whole-cell assays of model dye wastewater resulted in 80% decolourization and 50% detoxification.