Synthetic dye decolorization by white rot fungus, Ganoderma sp. WR-1

Decolorization of recalcitrant dyes by an indigenous strain of white rot fungus isolated from bark of dead tree, WR-1 identified as Ganoderma sp. was investigated. The fermentation medium was optimized using a combination of one factor at a time and orthogonal array method. Maximum decolorization (96%) of 100 ppm amaranth was achieved in 8 h with optimized medium containing 2% starch and 0.125% yeast extract. Rate of dye decolorization by the indigenous isolate Ganoderma sp. WR-1 was very high compared to the most widely used strains of Trametes versicolor and Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The broad-spectrum decolorization efficiency of the isolate was assessed using chemically different dyes. The isolate was further evaluated for the decolorization of industrial effluent. Complete decolorization was achieved in 12 days.