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Peer-reviewedCC BYMicrobial Cell Factories

Microbial systems for azo dye biodegradation: enzymatic mechanisms, microbial consortia, and emerging biotechnological strategies

  • Manar K. Abd Elnabi1,2
  • Marwa Moustafa Eltarahony3
  • Abdullah M. El-Badry4
  • Amr Abdelmotagaly Nassrallah5,1
  • Yehia A.‐G. Mahmoud2
  • Mohamed A. Ghazy6,1
  • Ahmed Kamal7,1
  • Sameh S. Ali8
8 affiliations
  1. 1Biotechnology Program, Basic and Applied Science Institute, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), New Borg El-Arab, 21934, Alexandria, Egypt
  2. 2Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
  3. 3Environmental Biotechnology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El-Arab, 21934, Alexandria, Egypt
  4. 4Environment and Bio-Agriculture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
  5. 5Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
  6. 6Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
  7. 7Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez University, P. O. Box 43518, Suez, Egypt
  8. 8Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt. [email protected]
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Abstract

Azo dyes are the most widely used class of synthetic colorants in textile and related industries; however, their discharge into natural ecosystems poses severe environmental and human-health concerns due to their xenobiotic structure, toxicity, and resistance to degradation. Traditional physicochemical remediation strategies are often costly and may result in incomplete mineralization and secondary pollution. Microbial systems provide an ecologically compatible and economically viable solution through efficient enzymatic reduction and subsequent mineralization of azo dyes and their degradation intermediates. This review synthesizes current advances in microbial bioremediation, with particular emphasis on the enzymatic mechanisms and metabolic processes involved in azo dye degradation, including the roles of key enzymes such as azoreductases, laccases, and peroxidases. The synergistic performance of microbial consortia, optimization of environmental and nutritional parameters, and the integration of bioelectrochemical systems are also discussed. Recent innovations-including genetic engineering, advanced immobilized biocatalysts, nanobiotechnology, high-performance bioreactors, and artificial-intelligence-driven process optimization-are evaluated for their potential to enhance biodegradation efficiency and operational stability. Finally, the major challenges and future perspectives for developing robust microbial systems capable of efficient detoxification and mineralization of azo dyes in industrial wastewater are highlighted. Overall, this review emphasizes the potential of microbial systems and emerging biotechnological strategies as sustainable solutions for azo dye remediation and environmentally responsible wastewater management.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{elnabi2026microbial,
  title = {{Microbial systems for azo dye biodegradation: enzymatic mechanisms, microbial consortia, and emerging biotechnological strategies}},
  author = {Manar K. Abd Elnabi and Marwa Moustafa Eltarahony and Abdullah M. El-Badry and Amr Abdelmotagaly Nassrallah and Yehia A.‐G. Mahmoud and Mohamed A. Ghazy and Ahmed Kamal and Sameh S. Ali},
  journal = {Microbial Cell Factories},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.1186/s12934-026-03017-7},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-026-03017-7},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Microbial systems for azo dye biodegradation: enzymatic mechanisms, microbial consortia, and emerging biotechnological strategies
AU  - Manar K. Abd Elnabi
AU  - Marwa Moustafa Eltarahony
AU  - Abdullah M. El-Badry
AU  - Amr Abdelmotagaly Nassrallah
AU  - Yehia A.‐G. Mahmoud
AU  - Mohamed A. Ghazy
AU  - Ahmed Kamal
AU  - Sameh S. Ali
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/23
JO  - Microbial Cell Factories
DO  - 10.1186/s12934-026-03017-7
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-026-03017-7
AB  - Azo dyes are the most widely used class of synthetic colorants in textile and related industries; however, their discharge into natural ecosystems poses severe environmental and human-health concerns due to their xenobiotic structure, toxicity, and resistance to degradation. Traditional physicochemical remediation strategies are often costly and may result in incomplete mineralization and secondary pollution. Microbial systems provide an ecologically compatible and economically viable solution through efficient enzymatic reduction and subsequent mineralization of azo dyes and their degradation intermediates. This review synthesizes current advances in microbial bioremediation, with particular emphasis on the enzymatic mechanisms and metabolic processes involved in azo dye degradation, including the roles of key enzymes such as azoreductases, laccases, and peroxidases. The synergistic performance of microbial consortia, optimization of environmental and nutritional parameters, and the integration of bioelectrochemical systems are also discussed. Recent innovations-including genetic engineering, advanced immobilized biocatalysts, nanobiotechnology, high-performance bioreactors, and artificial-intelligence-driven process optimization-are evaluated for their potential to enhance biodegradation efficiency and operational stability. Finally, the major challenges and future perspectives for developing robust microbial systems capable of efficient detoxification and mineralization of azo dyes in industrial wastewater are highlighted. Overall, this review emphasizes the potential of microbial systems and emerging biotechnological strategies as sustainable solutions for azo dye remediation and environmentally responsible wastewater management.
SN  - 1475-2859
ER  -