Bioremediation of textile dyes using lichens

Lichen is an ideal example of self-supporting natural symbiosis with alga termed as phycobiont and fungus termed as mycobiont. Lichenicolous fungi are belonging to Ascomycota and few from Basidiomycota. Lichens possess unique metabolic pattern while biodegradation of waste. Synergistic activities of oxido-reductases and antioxidant enzymes enable lichens to deal with variety of pollutants. Being highly absorptive, they are able serve as bioindicators of air pollution. Dye containing environments induce oxidoreductive enzyme system along with antioxidant enzymes. Lichens possess variety of antioxidant enzymes to deal with wide range of reactive oxygen species. Enhanced application of lichen oxido-reductases can be done by applying cross-linked enzyme aggregates technology. Fixed bed reactor systems give promising approach for application of lichens in dye degradation.