The application of enzymes for the removal of dyes from textile effluents

Dwindling water resources is a global problem. The effective effluent treatment is an important step towards conserving our water resources. Some pollutants such as dyestuffs resist degradation by conventional treatment methods and persist in the environment. Dye wastes represent one of the most problematic groups of pollutants because they can be easily identified by the human eye and are not easily biodegradable. The use of biotechnological processes in textile dye effluents treatment has attracted considerable attention and achieved interesting results in recent years. This work describes the use of enzymes as an alternative method for the treatment of such pollutants. Noteworthy processes for the treatment of dye waste include a biological treatment, filtration, catalytic oxidation, a sorption process and the combination of treatments. This emphasizes the need for current and future research with the focus on developing economically feasible and environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment practices.