ABSTRACT
The distillery effluent stream, also known as spent wash is generated during alcohol production as unwanted residual liquid waste. Pollution caused by distillery effluent stream is most critical environmental issues worldwide. Distilleries industries are one of most polluting industries worldwide and according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Govt. of India, these industries are rated as one of the 17 most polluting industries [1].
Molasses based distillery wastewater is dark brown in color because it contain melanoidins polymers, having very high molecular weights and always exits in colloidal form [3], occurs from Maillard reaction between amino acids and carbonyl groups in molasses [2]. Molasses based distillery wastewater contains high-level dissolved organic as well as inorganic matter along with nutrients. They can be very aggressive to the environment if improperly managed. The molasses based wastewater also characterized by moderately acidic pH (3.8–4.4) [4]. When an effluent is released directly in water bodies then it can cause oxygen depletion and creates the problems and/or released in soil then reduction of soil alkalinity and manganese. The melanoidin pigments are toxic to microorganism available in soil and water [2].
