Biodegradation of hazardous triphenylmethane dye methyl violet by Rhizobium radiobacter (MTCC 8161)

Rhizobium radiobacter MTCC 8161 completely decolorized methyl violet (10 mg l(-1)) within 8 h both at static and shaking conditions. The decolorization time increased with increasing dye concentration. The effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources on the decolorization of methyl violet was studied. The maximum decolorization was observed in the presence of sucrose (1%) and urea (1%). UV-Visible, HPLC and FTIR analysis of extracted products confirmed biodegradation of methyl violet. The significant increase in the activities of lignin peroxidase and aminopyrine N-demethylase in the cells obtained after decolorization indicated involvement of these enzymes in the decolorization process. In addition to methyl violet, this strain also shows an ability to decolorize various industrial dyes, (red HE7B, yellow 4G, blue 2B, navy blue HE22, red M5B and red HE3B).