Decolourization of turqoise blue (remazol blue bb) dye by immobilized penicillium sp. into sodium-alginate-sulfate beads

Abstract

Turqoise blue (Remazol Blue BB) is a type of common dye which is constantly discharged from industries into the water bodies without proper treatment. This dye could affect aquatic and human life due to its toxicity. Existing methods to overcome this issue are too expensive and not eco-friendly. Alternatively, this study was conducted by immobilizing Penicillium sp. into sodium-alginate-sulfate beads (IC) to decolorize the turquoise blue dye at 10 ppm. The percentage of dye decolourization, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal and laccase of IC and free cells were analysed throughout this study. IC successfully decolourized dyes up to 72.83%, meanwhile, free cells could only decolourized dyes up to 56.59%. In addition, COD removal by IC cell is 31.92% higher compared to free cell. For laccase activity, IC is higher compared to free cells up to 30%. Based on higher decolourization, enzymatic activity and COD removal, IC has a potential to be an alternative to decolourize dyes better than free cells.