Effects of photostimulation on the catabolic process of xenobiotics

Light biotechnology is a promising tool for enhancing recalcitrant compounds biodegradation. Xenobiotics can cause a significant impact on the quality of the results achieved by sewage treatment systems due to their recalcitrance and toxicity. The optimization of bioremediation and industrial processes, aiming to increase efficiency and income is of great value. The aim of this study was to accelerate and optimize the hydrolysis of Remazol Brilliant Blue R by photo stimulating a thermophilic bacterial consortium. Three experimental groups were studied: control group; LED Group and Laser Group. The control group was exposed to the same conditions as the irradiated groups, except exposure to light. The samples were irradiated in Petri dishes with either a Laser device (lambda 660 nm, CW, theta = 0.04 cm2, 40 mW, 325 s, 13 J/cm2) or by a LED prototype (lambda 632 +/- 2 nm, CW, theta = 0.5 cm2, 145 mW, 44 s, 13 J/cm2). We found that, within 48-h, statistically significant differences were observed between the irradiated and the control groups in the production of RNA, proteins, as well as in the degradation of the RBBR. It is concluded that, both Laser and LED light irradiation caused increased cellular proliferation, protein production and metabolic activity, anticipating and increasing the catabolism of the RBBR. Being the economic viability a predominant aspect for industrial propose our results indicates that photo stimulation is a low-cost booster of bioprocesses.