Novel fungal consortium for bioremediation of metals and dyes from mixed waste stream

• A. lentulus, A. terreus and R. oryzae are compatible and form a stable consortium.
• First report utilizing fungal consortium for metals and dyes removal from mixtures.
• Pollutant removal efficiency improved using consortium as compared to individual.
• Faster and higher multiple pollutant uptake from metal–dye mixture using consortium.

The present study is targeted towards development of a three member fungal consortium for effective removal of metals [Cr6+ and Cu2+] and dyes [AB and PO] from mixed waste streams. Initial studies using individual fungal strain showed that Aspergillus lentulus was best for Cu2+ and AB removal, Aspergillus terreus for Cr6+ removal whereas, Rhizopus oryzae was best for PO removal. Based on the complementary pollutant affinities and positive interactions, a consortium comprising all three strains was developed. Consortium removed 100% Cr6+ and 81.60% Cu2+ from metal mixture which was significantly higher than that achieved individually by A. lentulus (Cr6+: 83.11%; Cu2+: 67.32%), A. terreus (Cr6+: 95.57%; Cu2+: 65.77%) or R. oryzae (Cr6+: 25.34%; Cu2+: 30.20%). Further, 98.0% AB and 100.0% PO was removed after 48 h by the consortia. Unlike individual strains, consortium’s performance was unaltered irrespective of the complexity of metal–dye mixtures, thereby establishing its superiority.

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