Bacterial–microalgal consortia for bioremediation of textile industry wastewater and resource recovery for circular economy

Abstract:Textile industries discharge significant amounts of toxic chemicals, including residual dyes and various other xenobiotic compounds, into the environment, leading to adverse effects such as toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. While physico-chemical methods are commonly used for dye removal, bioremediation with microorganisms offers a greener and more eco-friendly alternative. Many microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, and microalgae, possess the ability to degrade textile dyes through their metabolic pathways. However, their biodegradation potential is often hindered by factors such as cytotoxic effects of dyes, unfavorable environmental conditions, dye composition, concentration, and microbial types. In recent years, different strains of fungi, bacteria, and microalgae have been employed individually or in consortia for textile dye biodegradation. Nevertheless, there is a notable gap in research regarding the use of “bacterial–microalgal consortia” as a novel approach for efficient textile dye detoxification. This review aims to provide updated insights into the symbiotic interactions between bacteria and microalgae in degrading textile dyes. It discusses various technological, resource recovery, and economic challenges, as well as future prospects of this approach for textile wastewater treatment, emphasizing its potential for environmental and economic benefits.