Characterization of Partially Purified Manganese Peroxidase from Soil-Derived <i>Aspergillus</i> Species and Its Biodegradation Potential Against Anthraquinone-Based Dye

The industrial effluent generates various environmental issues as it contains synthetic dyestuffs and chemicals. In the present study, the decolorization ability of soil-derived fungal isolates Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus fumigatus was determined against anthraquinone-based Remazol Brilliant Blue Reactive (RBBR) dye. The dye degradation was characterized using UV-spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy techniques. Moreover, manganese peroxidase (MnP) was partially purified for decolorization activity from fungal isolates. RBBR dye was 84.9% decolorized by A. terreus, while A. fumigatus decolorized 78.6% dye. The maximum decolorization activity of partially purified free and immobilized MnP enzyme from A. terreus was 86% and 93.7%, followed by A. fumigatus 80.3% and 89.7%, respectively. The molecular weight of A. fumigatus and A. terreus MnP enzyme were 43 and 45 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the immobilization of MnP was found to be better resistant to optimum pH and temperature. The immobilized and free MnP enzyme decolorization activity from A. fumigatus was 89.7% and 80.3%, while from A. terreus had 93.7% and 86.1%, respectively. In conclusion, soil fungi can decolorize and degrade anthraquinone-based dyes such as RBBR. Moreover, the fungal MnP enzyme can be used to eradicate the toxic effect of industrial effluents.