Biodegradation pathway and detoxification of the diazo dye Reactive Black 5 by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

► We studied the biodegradation of a diazo dye by Phanerochaete chrysosporium. ► The support used influenced greatly the decolouration ability of P. chrysosporium. ► Dye degradation was mainly due to manganese peroxidase secreted by P. chrysosporium. ► P. chrysosporium transformed the toxic diazo dye into a non-toxic metabolite.