Volume 8, Issue 2 (6-2026)                   alkhass 2026, 8(2): 7-14 | Back to browse issues page


XML Persian Abstract Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Safdarianghomsheh A, Hashemian P S, Saleknezhad M, Asadollahi M A. Bioremediation of Pulp and Paper Mill Wastewater Using Isolated Fungal and Bacterial Strains. alkhass 2026; 8 (2) :7-14
URL: http://alkhass.srpub.org/article-4-286-en.html
1- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
2- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. , ma.asadollahi@ast.ui.ac.ir
Abstract:   (20 Views)
Pulp and paper mill wastewater contains high concentrations of toxic pollutants, including lignin and aromatic compounds, which contribute to its dark coloration and pose environmental hazards. Improper discharge of this wastewater can result in severe ecological consequences, such as oxygen depletion, carcinogenic effects, and aquatic toxicity. Various treatment methods, including physicochemical and biological approaches, have been used to address this issue. Among these, biological treatment with microorganisms, particularly bacteria and fungi, has gained attention for its efficiency and sustainability. Bacteria such as Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. exhibit adaptability across different pH ranges and produce ligninolytic enzymes that aid in pollutant degradation. In contrast, white-rot fungi, including Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trametes versicolor, secrete potent extracellular enzymes that break down lignin and other complex organic pollutants. This review explores the physicochemical properties of pulp and paper mill wastewater, evaluates bacterial and fungal degradation processes, and compares their efficiency in reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and lignin content. It also discusses future strategies for optimizing microbial consortia and enhancing enzymatic activity for large-scale wastewater treatment.
Full-Text [PDF 390 kb]   (11 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: biofilteration
Received: 2026/03/7 | Revised: 2026/04/23 | Accepted: 2026/05/18 | Published: 2026/06/25

References
1. Asghar, M. N., Khan, S., & Mushtaq, S. (2008). Management of treated pulp and paper mill effluent to achieve zero discharge. Journal of Environmental Management, 88(4), 1285-1299. [DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.07.004] [PMID]
2. Haq, I., Kumar, S., Kumari, V., Singh, S. K., & Raj, A. (2016). Evaluation of bioremediation potentiality of ligninolytic Serratia liquefaciens for detoxification of pulp and paper mill effluent. Journal of hazardous materials, 305, 190-199. [DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.11.046] [PMID]
3. Pokhrel, D., & Viraraghavan, T. (2004). Treatment of pulp and paper mill wastewater-a review. Science of the total environment, 333(1-3), 37-58. [DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.05.017] [PMID]
4. Ali, M., & Sreekrishnan, T. R. (2001). Aquatic toxicity from pulp and paper mill effluents: a review. Advances in environmental research, 5(2), 175-196. [DOI:10.1016/S1093-0191(00)00055-1]
5. Chamorro, S., Monsalvez, E., Piña, B., Olivares, A., Hernández, V., Becerra, J., & Vidal, G. (2013). Analysis of aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands in kraft mill effluents by a combination of yeast bioassays and CG-MS chemical determinations. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 48(2), 145-151. [DOI:10.1080/03601234.2012.716739] [PMID]
6. Abhishek, A., Dwivedi, A., Tandan, N., & Kumar, U. (2017). Comparative bacterial degradation and detoxification of model and kraft lignin from pulp paper wastewater and its metabolites. Applied Water Science, 7, 757-767. [DOI:10.1007/s13201-015-0288-9]
7. Singhal, A., & Thakur, I. S. (2009). Decolourization and detoxification of pulp and paper mill effluent by Cryptococcus sp. Biochemical engineering journal, 46(1), 21-27. [DOI:10.1016/j.bej.2009.04.007]
8. Haq, I., Mazumder, P., & Kalamdhad, A. S. (2020). Recent advances in removal of lignin from paper industry wastewater and its industrial applications-A review. Bioresource Technology, 312, 123636. [DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123636] [PMID]
9. Wu, X., Amanze, C., Wang, J., Yu, Z., Shen, L., Wu, X., Li, J., Yu, R., Liu, Y., Zeng, W. (2022). Isolation and characterization of a novel thermotolerant alkali lignin-degrading bacterium Aneurinibacillus sp. LD3 and its application in food waste composting. Chemosphere, 307, 135859. [DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135859] [PMID]
10. Raghukumar, C., D'Souza-Ticlo, D., & Verma, A. (2008). Treatment of colored effluents with lignin-degrading enzymes: an emerging role of marine-derived fungi. Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 34(3-4), 189-206. [DOI:10.1080/10408410802526044] [PMID]
11. Costa, S., Dedola, D. G., Pellizzari, S., Blo, R., Rugiero, I., Pedrini, P., & Tamburini, E. (2017). Lignin biodegradation in pulp-and-paper mill wastewater by selected white rot fungi. Water, 9(12), 935. [DOI:10.3390/w9120935]
12. Brown, M. E., & Chang, M. C. (2014). Exploring bacterial lignin degradation. Current opinion in chemical biology, 19, 1-7. [DOI:10.1016/j.cbpa.2013.11.015] [PMID]
13. Raj, A., Reddy, M. K., & Chandra, R. (2007). Identification of low molecular weight aromatic compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) from kraft lignin degradation by three Bacillus sp. International biodeterioration & biodegradation, 59(4), 292-296. [DOI:10.1016/j.ibiod.2006.09.006]
14. Singh, Y. P., Dhall, P., Mathur, R. M., Jain, R. K., vadde Thakur, V., Kumar, V., ... & Kumar, A. (2011). Bioremediation of pulp and paper mill effluent by tannic acid degrading Enterobacter sp. Water, air, & soil pollution, 218, 693-701. [DOI:10.1007/s11270-010-0678-4]
15. Tiku, D. K., Kumar, A., Chaturvedi, R., Makhijani, S. D., Manoharan, A., & Kumar, R. (2010). Holistic bioremediation of pulp mill effluents using autochthonous bacteria. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 64(3), 173-183. [DOI:10.1016/j.ibiod.2010.01.001]
16. Chandra, R., Abhishek, A., & Sankhwar, M. (2011). Bacterial decolorization and detoxification of black liquor from rayon grade pulp manufacturing paper industry and detection of their metabolic products. Bioresource technology, 102(11), 6429-6436. [DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.03.048] [PMID]
17. Hubbe, M. A., Metts, J. R., Hermosilla, D., Blanco, M., Yerushalmi, L., Haghighat, F., Lindholm-Lehto, P., Khodaparast, Z., Kamali, M., Elliott, A. (2016). Wastewater treatment and reclamation: a review of pulp and paper industry practices and opportunities. BioResources, 11(3). [DOI:10.15376/biores.11.3.Hubbe]
18. Hooda, R., Bhardwaj, N. K., & Singh, P. (2015). Screening and identification of ligninolytic bacteria for the treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 226(9), 305. [DOI:10.1007/s11270-015-2535-y]
19. Raj, A., Kumar, S., Haq, I., & Singh, S. K. (2014). Bioremediation and toxicity reduction in pulp and paper mill effluent by newly isolated ligninolytic Paenibacillus sp. Ecological engineering, 71, 355-362. [DOI:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.07.002]
20. Kesalkar, V. P., Khedikar, I. P., & Sudame, A. M. (2012). Physico-chemical characteristics of wastewater from paper industry. Int. J. Eng. Res. Appl, 2(4), 137-143.
21. Khan, N. A., Basheer, F., Singh, D., & Farooqi, I. (2011). Treatment of paper and pulp mill wastewater by column type sequencing batch reactor. J Ind Res Tech, 1(1), 12-16.
22. Tripathi, P., Kumar, V., Joshi, G., Singh, S. P., Panwar, S., Naithani, S., & Nautiyal, R. (2013). A comparative study on physico-chemical properties of pulp and paper mill effluent. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications, 3(6), 811-818.
23. Kumar, A., Singha, S., Dasgupta, D., Datta, S., & Mandal, T. (2015). Simultaneous recovery of silica and treatment of rice mill wastewater using rice husk ash: an economic approach. Ecological engineering, 84, 29-37. [DOI:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.07.010]
24. Mohamed M, Matayun M, Lim TS. Chlorinated organics in tropical hardwood kraft pulp and paper mill effluents and their elimina tion in an activated sludge treatment system. Pertanika 1989; 2(3):387-94.
25. Kumar, M., Singh, J., Singh, M. K., Singhal, A., & Thakur, I. S. (2015). Investigating the degradation process of kraft lignin by β-proteobacterium, Pandoraea sp. ISTKB. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 22, 15690-15702. [DOI:10.1007/s11356-015-4771-5] [PMID]
26. Sawyer, C. N., McCarty, P. L., & Parkin, G. F. (1994). Chemistry for environmental engineers 4th edition.
27. Ram, C., Rani, P., Gebru, K. A., & Mariam Abrha, M. G. (2020). Pulp and paper industry wastewater treatment: use of microbes and their enzymes. Physical Sciences Reviews, 5(10), 20190050. [DOI:10.1515/psr-2019-0050]
28. Pandey, S., Parvez, S., Sayeed, I., Haque, R., Bin-Hafeez, B., & Raisuddin, S. (2003). Biomarkers of oxidative stress: a comparative study of river Yamuna fish Wallago attu (Bl. & Schn.). Science of the total environment, 309(1-3), 105-115. [DOI:10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00006-8]
29. 29] Devi, N. L., Yadav, I. C., Shihua, Q. I., Singh, S., & Belagali, S. L. (2011). Physicochemical characteristics of paper industry effluents-a case study of South India Paper Mill (SIPM). Environmental monitoring and assessment, 177, 23-33. [DOI:10.1007/s10661-010-1614-1] [PMID]
30. Chandra, R., & Singh, R. (2012). Decolourisation and detoxification of rayon grade pulp paper mill effluent by mixed bacterial culture isolated from pulp paper mill effluent polluted site. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 61, 49-58. [DOI:10.1016/j.bej.2011.12.004]
31. Zainith, S., Purchase, D., Saratale, G. D., Ferreira, L. F. R., Bilal, M., & Bharagava, R. N. (2019). Isolation and characterization of lignin-degrading bacterium Bacillus aryabhattai from pulp and paper mill wastewater and evaluation of its lignin-degrading potential. 3 Biotech, 9, 1-11. [DOI:10.1007/s13205-019-1631-x] [PMID] [PMCID]
32. Kumar, V., Thakur, I. S., & Shah, M. P. (2020). Bioremediation approaches for treatment of pulp and paper industry wastewater: Recent advances and challenges. Microbial bioremediation & biodegradation, 1-48. [DOI:10.1007/978-981-15-1812-6_1]
33. Chandra, R. (2001). Microbial decolourisation of pulp and paper mill effluent in presence of nitrogen and phosphorus by activated sludge process. Journal of Environmental Biology, 22(1), 23-27.
34. Yeber, M. C., & Silva, T. (2022). The ability of a bacterial strain to remove a phenolic structure as an approach to pulp and paper mill wastewater treatment: Optimization by experimental design. Water, 14(20), 3296. [DOI:10.3390/w14203296]
35. Raj, A., Reddy, M. K., & Chandra, R. (2007). Decolourisation and treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent by lignin‐degrading Bacillus sp. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 82(4), 399-406. [DOI:10.1002/jctb.1683]
36. Chandra, R., Raj, A., Purohit, H. J., & Kapley, A. (2007). Characterisation and optimisation of three potential aerobic bacterial strains for kraft lignin degradation from pulp paper waste. Chemosphere, 67(4), 839-846. [DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.10.011] [PMID]
37. Khan, S. I., Zarin, A., Ahmed, S., Hasan, F., Belduz, A. O., Çanakçi, S., ... & Shah, A. A. (2022). Degradation of lignin by Bacillus altitudinis SL7 isolated from pulp and paper mill effluent. Water Science and Technology, 85(1), 420-432. [DOI:10.2166/wst.2021.610] [PMID]
38. An, X., Cheng, Y., Zang, H., & Li, C. (2023). Biodegradation characteristics of lignin in pulping wastewater by the thermophilic Serratia sp. AXJ-M: performance, genetic background, metabolic pathway and toxicity assessment. Environmental Pollution, 322, 121230. [DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121230] [PMID]
39. Gaur, N., Narasimhulu, K., & Pydi Setty, Y. (2018). Extraction of ligninolytic enzymes from novel Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and its application in wastewater treatment. Applied Water Science, 8, 1-17. [DOI:10.1007/s13201-018-0758-y]
40. Ojha, A. K., & Tiwari, M. (2016). Lignin decolorization and degradation of pulp and paper mill effluent by ligninolytic bacteria. Iranica Journal of Energy & Environment, 7(3), 282-293. [DOI:10.5829/idosi.ijee.2016.07.03.11]
41. Verma, P., & Chandra, R. (2024). Removal of residual organic pollutants from pulp paper industry wastewater using bacterial strains Acinetobacter baumannii (OK582199) PC4 and Bacillus cereus (OK582201) PC10 via biostimulation and bioaugmentation process. Total Environment Advances, 10, 200101. [DOI:10.1016/j.teadva.2024.200101]
42. Kumar, A., Priyadarshinee, R., Singha, S., Sengupta, B., Roy, A., Dasgupta, D., & Mandal, T. (2019). Biodegradation of alkali lignin by Bacillus flexus RMWW II: analyzing performance for abatement of rice mill wastewater. Water Science and Technology, 80(9), 1623-1632. [DOI:10.2166/wst.2020.005] [PMID]
43. Majumdar, S., Priyadarshinee, R., Kumar, A., Mandal, T., & Mandal, D. D. (2019). Exploring Planococcus sp. TRC1, a bacterial isolate, for carotenoid pigment production and detoxification of paper mill effluent in immobilized fluidized bed reactor. Journal of Cleaner Production, 211, 1389-1402. [DOI:10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.157]
44. Majumdar, S., Paul, I., Dey, S., Dutta, S., Mandal, T., & Mandal, D. D. (2020). Biotransformation of paper mill sludge by Serratia marcescens NITDPER1 for prodigiosin and cellulose nanocrystals: a strategic valorization approach. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 164, 107766. [DOI:10.1016/j.bej.2020.107766]
45. Paliwal, R., Uniyal, S., & Rai, J. P. N. (2015). Evaluating the potential of immobilized bacterial consortium for black liquor biodegradation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 22, 6842-6853. [DOI:10.1007/s11356-014-3872-x] [PMID]
46. Yadav, S., & Chandra, R. (2015). Syntrophic co-culture of Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumonia for degradation of kraft lignin discharged from rayon grade pulp industry. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 33, 229-238. [DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2015.01.018] [PMID]
47. Wu, J., Xiao, Y. Z., & Yu, H. Q. (2005). Degradation of lignin in pulp mill wastewaters by white-rot fungi on biofilm. Bioresource Technology, 96(12), 1357-1363. [DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2004.11.019] [PMID]
48. Prasongsuk, S., Lotrakul, P., Imai, T., & Punnapayak, H. (2009). Decolourization of pulp mill wastewater using thermotolerant white rot fungi. Science Asia, 35, 37-41. [DOI:10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2009.35.037]
49. Kreetachat, T., Chaisan, O., & Vaithanomsat, P. (2016). Decolorization of pulp and paper mill effluents using wood rotting fungus Fibrodontia sp. RCK783S. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 7(5), 321. [DOI:10.7763/IJESD.2016.V7.792]
50. Nilsson, I., Möller, A., Mattiasson, B., Rubindamayugi, M. S., & Welander, U. (2006). Decolorization of synthetic and real textile wastewater by the use of white-rot fungi. Enzyme and microbial technology, 38(1-2), 94-100. [DOI:10.1016/j.enzmictec.2005.04.020]
51. Barapatre, A., & Jha, H. (2016). Decolourization and biological treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent by lignin-degrading fungus Aspergillus flavus strain F10. Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci, 5(5), 19-32. [DOI:10.20546/ijcmas.2016.505.003]
52. Leppänen, H., & Oikari, A. (1999). Occurrence of retene and resin acids in sediments and fish bile from a lake receiving pulp and paper mill effluents. Environmental toxicology and chemistry, 18(7), 1498-1505. [DOI:10.1002/etc.5620180723]
53. Singhal, A., & Thakur, I. S. (2009). Decolourization and detoxification of pulp and paper mill effluent by Emericella nidulans var. nidulans. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 171(1-3), 619-625. [DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.06.041] [PMID]
54. Freitas, A. C., Ferreira, F., Costa, A. M., Pereira, R., Antunes, S. C., Gonçalves, F., Rocha-Santos, T. A., Diniz, M. S., Castro, L., Peres, I., Duarte, A. C. (2009). Biological treatment of the effluent from a bleached kraft pulp mill using basidiomycete and zygomycete fungi. Science of the total environment, 407(10), 3282-3289. [DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.01.054] [PMID]
55. Liu, T., Hu, H., He, Z., & Ni, Y. (2011). Treatment of poplar alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP) effluent with Aspergillus niger. Bioresource technology, 102(15), 7361-7365. [DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.04.043] [PMID]
56. Prabu, P. C., & Udayasoorian, C. (2005). Decolorization and degradation of phenolic paper mill effluent by native white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. [DOI:10.3923/ajps.2005.60.63]
57. Kamali, M., & Khodaparast, Z. (2015). Review on recent developments on pulp and paper mill wastewater treatment. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 114, 326-342. [DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.05.005] [PMID]
58. Hong, Y., Dashtban, M., Chen, S., Song, R., & Qin, W. (2015). Lignin in paper mill sludge is degraded by white-rot fungi in submerged fermentation. J Microb Biochem Technol, 7(04).
59. Malaviya, P., & Rathore, V. S. (2007). Bioremediation of pulp and paper mill effluent by a novel fungal consortium isolated from polluted soil. Bioresource Technology, 98(18), 3647-3651. [DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2006.11.021] [PMID]
60. Barapatre, A., & Jha, H. (2017). Degradation of alkali lignin by two ascomycetes and free radical scavenging activity of the products. Biocatalysis and Biotransformation, 35(4), 269-286. [DOI:10.1080/10242422.2017.1327953]
61. Bergbauer, M., Eggert, C., & Kraepelin, G. (1991). Degradation of chlorinated lignin compounds in a bleach plant effluent by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 35, 105-109. [DOI:10.1007/BF00180645]
62. Taneja, H., Tabraiz, S., & Ahmed, A. (2025). Optimising a novel biofilm-based process using Neurospora discreta for enhanced treatment of lignin-rich wastewater. Water Science and Engineering. [DOI:10.1016/j.wse.2025.02.001]
63. Parveen, S. (2022). Evaluating the lignin degrading potential of indigenously isolated fungal strain 81 from paper and pulp industry waste water. National Journal of Biological Sciences, 3(2). [DOI:10.37605/v3i2/3]
64. Nagarathnamma, R., Bajpai, P., & Bajpai, P. K. (1999). Studies on decolourization, degradation and detoxification of chlorinated lignin compounds in kraft bleaching effluents by Ceriporiopsis subvermispora. Process Biochemistry, 34(9), 939-948. [DOI:10.1016/S0032-9592(99)00021-7]
65. Srivastava, A., Sharma, V., Singh, P., & Srivastava, N. (2024). Lignin and colour removal of pulp and papermill wastewater by enzymatic action of different fungal strains. Zastita Materijala, 65(3), 466-472. [DOI:10.62638/ZasMat1190]
66. Sumathi, S., & Phatak, V. (1999). Fungal treatment of bagasse based pulp and paper mill wastes. Environmental technology, 20(1), 93-98. [DOI:10.1080/09593332008616797]
67. Ortega-Clemente, A., Caffarel-Méndez, S., Ponce-Noyola, M. T., Barrera-Córtes, J., & Poggi-Varaldo, H. M. (2009). Fungal post-treatment of pulp mill effluents for the removal of recalcitrant pollutants. Bioresource technology, 100(6), 1885-1894. [DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2007.07.059] [PMID]
68. Tyagi, S., Kumar, V., Singh, J., Teotia, P., Bisht, S., & Sharma, S. (2014). Bioremediation of pulp and paper mill effluent by dominant aboriginal microbes and their consortium. International Journal of Environmental Research, 8(3), 561-568.

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.