Decolorization of Distillery Effluent (Molasses Melanoidin) by Yeast Strain, Candida Glabrata

Abstract

Distillery effluent contains about 2% (w/W) of dark brown Xenobiotic compound, melanoidin. Melanoidin is major source of environmental pollution due to its recalcitrant nature, therefore may be treated before disposal.  The aim of this study was to isolate potent melanoidin decolourizing yeast and characterize on physico-chemical and nutritional parameter in submerged system.

Among 14 yeast isolates from natural ecosystem Candida glabrata showing higher decolorization efficiency on distillery effluent was screened. After optimization, Candida glabrata Showed maximum decolorization 84% at 35˚C using modified GYPE Medium i.e. 1% molasses medium (1%., Grade-C molasses, 0.2%., Yeast extract, 0.3%., Peptone, 0.05%., MgSO4, 0.05%., K2HPO4 with 3.5 OD effluent) pH-5.5 within 30 hours.

This yeast strain can adopt in wide range of temperature as well as pH and required very less carbon (0.2%, w/v) and nitrogen sources (0.2%, w/v) in submerged fermentation system. Thus, this yeast can be utilized for melanoidin decolorization of spent wash at industrial scale.