Actinobacteria and their potential in removal of triphenylmethane dyes

This thesis examines the ability of soil actinobacteria for the removal of triphenylmethane dyes. Live cells exhibited more efficient decolorization using optimal conditions than when dead cells were used. Superior removal of dyes by live cells, particularly Streptomyces bacillaris, was via sorption of dyes onto actinobacterial cell (biosorption) and decomposition of parent dye into simpler compounds (biodegradation). The degradation of dyes was due to the actions of degradative enzymes, which significantly reduced the toxicity of all treated dyes. This study reveals that soil actinobacteria are promising bioagents for the remediation of toxic pollutants.