Toxicological evaluation of paper mill sewage sediment treated by indigenous dibenzofuran-degrading Pseudomonas sp.

► Pseudomonas sp. strain ISTDF1 was evaluated for its detoxification potential. ► The bacterium is capable of degrading POPs even in presence of mixed carbon source. ► Toxicity reduction is significant shown by MTT, Comet and EROD bioassays. ► EROD assay was reported for the first time to study degradation efficiency. ► Combining bioassays is necessary for toxicity evaluation of environmental waste.