Bacterial Degradation of Pulp Paper Mill Wastewater Isolated from Contaminated site: A Review

Pulp and paper mills are considered as a core sector industry and are the fifth largest contributor to industrial water pollution. Pulp and paper industrial effluent contains high diversity of xenobiotic and recalcitrant compounds and causes pollution. In pulp and paper industries, lignocellulose is treated by alkaline sulfide during which waste by product known as kraft lignin (KL) is formed. The toxicity and color of the plant effluent is due to the presence of Kraft lignin. Lignin is highly resistant to degradation by microorganisms because of its structural complexity, high molecular weight and variety of biologically stable linkages. However, a variety of microorganisms could be found in nature that degrades lignin involving Bacteria, Fungi and Actinomyces. This article reviews generation and impact of major pollutants present in the pulp and paper mill wastewater and their degradation through bacteria.