Statistical optimisation for biological decolourisation and COD removal of screen-printing wastewater using Trametes versicolor

The conventional treatment methods employed in decolourisation of industrial wastewater are not effective and lead to generation of hazardous sludge. In the present investigation, a systematic study of three important process variables (concentration of initial colour, glucose and ammonium chloride) influencing the decolourisation and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal in screen-printing wastewater by Trametes versicolor was carried out using a full-factorial Central Composite Design. The statistical significance of the regression model equation using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that the model was highly significant. The multiple response optimisation showed that decolourisation and COD removal efficiency in this case were 72.8 and 76.3%, respectively.