Role of fungi and their enzymes in degradation and decolorization of distillery effluent for environmental safety

Abstract The rampant industrialization and unchecked growth of alcohol production facilities coupled with the lack of proper treatment facilities have proliferated the discharge of colored effluent enriched with high BOD, COD, TDS, and toxic androgenic and mutagenic compounds including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, phenolics, melanoidins, and heavy metals. Thus, the development of efficient and sustainable control measures against such pollution is imperative to safeguard ecosystems' natural resources and human health. A number of biological processes such as biodegradation and bioremediation, using fungi and their enzymes, have been reported having prospective application in color removal from distillery effluent. Biological methods present an incredible alternate for decolorization and degradation of distillery effluent due to their environmentally friendly and publicly acceptable treatment and cost-competitive alternative to chemical decomposition processes. Fungi, especially white-rot fungi can produce non-specific extracellular ligninolytic enzymes, i.e., lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and laccase. These enzymes are capable of degrading a wide spectrum of recalcitrant organic pollutants, such as melanoidins and phenol compounds. The chapter gives a clear explanation about the potential of fungi in degradation and decolorization of distillery effluent. In addition, the details mechanisms of fungal extracellular enzyme, especially ligninolytic enzyme system, in degradation and detoxification of melanoidins also discussed. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of distillery effluent treatment are also highlighted.