Bioremediation of distillery effluent using a novel laccase-producing Bacillus velezensis HIM03: process optimization, metabolite characterization, and phytotoxicity studies
Article
Chandel, H., Yadav, R., Shyam, K., Sharma, G, Murugesan, S,, Chaturvedi, M, Purchase, D. and Saxena, G 2026. Bioremediation of distillery effluent using a novel laccase-producing Bacillus velezensis HIM03: process optimization, metabolite characterization, and phytotoxicity studies. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 14 (2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2026.121943
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Title | Bioremediation of distillery effluent using a novel laccase-producing Bacillus velezensis HIM03: process optimization, metabolite characterization, and phytotoxicity studies |
| Authors | Chandel, H., Yadav, R., Shyam, K., Sharma, G, Murugesan, S,, Chaturvedi, M, Purchase, D. and Saxena, G |
| Abstract | Sustainable treatment of distillery industry effluent (DIE) remains challenging due to its strong coloration, complex pollutant profile, and toxicity. However, it is critical to ensure safe disposal/reuse, safeguard soil/water resources, mitigate environmental pollution, and protect public health. This study, for the first time, demonstrates the bioremediation of DIE using a novel ligninolytic enzyme-producing bacterial strain, Bacillus velezensis HIM03, attained significant reductions in pollution parameters within 144 h: COD (84.03%), BOD (87.00%), TDS (74.99%), phosphate (69.27%), sulfate (63.17%), nitrate (71.01%), phenol (74.03%), and heavy metals including Zn (85.93%), Cu (78.57%), Mn (75.26%), Fe (66.00%), and Pb (72.73%). The bacterium Bacillus velezensis HIM03 (GenBank Accession Number: OP659023) exhibited laccase production with a peak activity of 6.18 IU/mL/min at 96 h under optimal conditions [pH: 8, temperature: 35 ℃, glucose and peptone: C and N substrate (0.5%), inoculum size: 10 mL, shaking speed: 120 rpm], indicating its strong oxidative potential for degradation of recalcitrant coloring contaminants (RCCs). FT-IR and GC-MS examination confirmed the efficient degradation and structural transformation of RCCs into simpler, non-toxic metabolites, validating true detoxification rather than mere pollutant removal. Crucially, phytotoxicity assays showed an 82% seed germination in Phaseolus aureus L. (mung bean) when irrigated with treated DIE, demonstrating significant reduction in residual toxicity and improved environmental compatibility. These findings validate the role of novel Bacillus velezensis HIM03 in achieving regulatory-relevant pollutant removal, showcasing its strong potential for integration into economical and scalable bioremediation strategies for DIE, in line with the UN SDGs on clean water, health, and environmental sustainability. |
| Keywords | Distillery Industry; Biodegradation; Biodetoxification; Ligninolytic Enzyme; FT-IR; GC-MS; Ecotoxicity |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 15 Life on land |
| Middlesex University Theme | Sustainability |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Journal | Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering |
| ISSN | |
| Electronic | 2213-3437 |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 24 Feb 2026 |
| Apr 2026 | |
| Publication process dates | |
| Submitted | 24 Oct 2025 |
| Accepted | 23 Feb 2026 |
| Deposited | 02 Oct 2026 |
| Output status | Published |
| Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2026.121943 |
| Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/36v242
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