Nanoremediation of toxic dyes using a bacterial consortium immobilized on cellulose acetate nanofiber mats

Abstract

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Ochrobactrum sp. demonstrated the highest rates of dye bioremediation. The trials were performed at pH 8, which resulted in the highest bioremediation rate of 64.6% in media containing 21.2 mg L−1 dye. As the dye concentration increased, the pollutant removal decreased, with the maximum bioremoval rate of 70.3%. The removal capacity was increased with an increase in biomass concentration; the highest yield of 91.3% was obtained in media containing 14.2 mg L−1 dye and 12% (v/v) biomass. In nanoremediation studies, the bacterial consortium was immobilized on cellulose acetate nanofiber mats (CA‐NFM). Scanning electron microscopic micrographs showed that bead‐free nanofiber mats were effective in immobilizing bacterial cells. Moreover, nanofiber structures were capable of supporting exopolysaccharides formation, as confirmed by Fourier transform ınfrared spectroscopy. The bacterial consortium immobilized on CA‐NFM showed a maximum bioremoval rate of 56.5%. Reusability tests demonstrated that the consortium immobilized CA‐NFM could be used at least five times. Furthermore, after leaving the mat for 1 month at 4°C, it was still usable, and the removal efficiency was found to be 45.4%. Based on our findings, bacteria immobilized on CA‐NFM have the potential to be used as highly effective and versatile nanobiotechnological biological sorbents in the treatment of wastewater containing dyes.Highlights Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Ochrobactrum sp. were used as a bacterial consortium. Bacterial consortium immobilized on cellulose acetate nanofiber mats (CA‐NFM) was tested. EPS production by the consortium was confirmed by Fourier transform ınfrared spectroscopy analysis. CA‐NFM could be used at least five times.