Decolourization of Bagasse-based paper mill effluent by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor

The bagasse-based paper mill effluent employed for a decolourization study by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor contained 2840 colour units and was of pH 7•8. Colour reduction was observed in all the media tested. A high degree of decolourization (40%) by the native effluent microflora was noted on the second day in effluent supplemented with ammonium nitrate and glucose but uninoculated with the fungus. A maximum colour removal of the order of 60% was achieved on the fourth day of culture in effluent inoculated with T. versicolor after addition of (w/v) 0•175% ammonium nitrate and 1•0% glucose cosubstrate.