Microbial Bioremediation Approaches for Textile Wastewater Treatment: Classification of Dyes and Their Environmental Impacts

Abstract

The discharge of dye-containing wastewater from the textile industry poses serious environmental and health risks due to the presence of toxic, recalcitrant compounds such as azo dyes, aromatic amines, and other synthetic chemicals. These pollutants are not only visually disruptive but also interfere with aquatic photosynthesis, bio-accumulate in organisms, and exhibit mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Although conventional physicochemical methods—such as coagulation, flocculation, and oxidation—are employed for dye removal, they are often economically unfeasible, environmentally hazardous, and generate secondary pollutants. However, microbial efficiency can vary depending on the dye structure, the organism used, and the presence of inhibitory substances. Recent innovations include the use of microbial consortia, genetically engineered strains, and the incorporation of green-synthesized nanoparticles to enhance degradation performance. Furthermore, nano-bioremediation offers new prospects by integrating biological processes with advanced materials to address the breakdown of complex dye mixtures more effectively. This review presents an overview of dye types, their environmental impact, and the current microbial approaches employed in dye wastewater treatment. It also highlights key limitations and outlines emerging technologies and future research directions—of low-cost natural adsorbents—aimed at developing efficient and sustainable solutions for textile wastewater remediation.

Stam. J. Microbiol. 2025;15(1):21-32