RESUMO
Spentwash is one of the most complex and cumbersome wastewater with very high BOD, COD and other organic and inorganic toxic constituents. It is dark brown colored and difficult to treat by normal biological process such as activated sludge or anaerobic lagooning. The color is due to the presence of melanoidins, caramels and other polymers. These compounds have anti oxidant properties which render them toxic to microorganisms. Spentwash disposal into the environment is hazardous and has a considerable pollution potential. It affects the aesthetic merit. Its decolorization by physical or chemical methods have been investigated and were found unsuitable. In the recent past, increasing attention has been directed towards utilizing microbial activity for decolorization of spentwash. This review reveals various groups of microorganisms which have potential in spentwash decolorization. The role of enzymes in decolorization and the microbial degradation of individual compounds imparting color to spentwash are also discussed.
RESUMO
Investigations were carried out on seed borne nature of Azotobacter chroococcum in chilli and their role in plant growth at the Department of Agriculture Microbiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Azotobacter chroococcum were isolated from both surface sterilized and unsterilized seeds of 14 varieties of chilli at different stages of fruit maturity. Inoculation with these strains increased the seed germination, root, shoot length and total dry matter content of chilli plants significantly in both sterilized and unsterilized soil., the results of which are presented.
