ABSTRACT
Climate change and environmental pollution have caused insidious harm to the biological and physical elements of the ecosystem. Azo dyes, primarily released by the textile industries, are one of the significant contributors to the existing pollution. The azo bonds (–N=N–) impart high electronegativity to the dyes, thus rendering them extremely resistant to the natural oxidation. Besides, the aromatic amines generated as a result of azo bond reduction are more toxic than the parent dye molecules. Microbes, being the ubiquitous repertoire of the enzymes and redox-active molecules, mineralize the dyes depending on their catabolic potential, i.e., either by oxidation or by reduction. However, the degradation capabilities of the microbes do not solely depend on the type of enzymes/molecules produced but also on the type of interactions prevailing within them. Moreover, the electron transfer from soil minerals, metals, or other organisms is equally crucial for dye remediation. The essential microbial adaptations in the various niche viz., soil, bioreactors, microbial fuel cells, or human intestine are associated with enhanced horizontal gene transfer, biofilm formation, respiration, surfactant production, and chemotaxis. Currently, the manipulation of synergism for the removal of azo dyes is at a very nascent stage. A cumulative approach considering microbiome potential, along with their plausible interactions, can aid in the critical exploitation of microbes for improving the treatment technologies.
