Biodegradation and detoxification of melanoidin from distillery effluent using an aerobic bacterial strain SAG5 of Alcaligenes faecalis

► The Alcaligenes faecalis strain SAG5 decolorizes 72.6 ± 0.56% of melanoidins. ► The decolorization was achieved at pH 7.5 and temperature 37 ̊C on 5th day. ► The distillery effluent after biological treatment is environmentally safe.