Distillery industries generate a considerable amount of wastewater, having a
high percentage of inorganic matter and organic compounds. Wastewater generated
from distillery industries is dark brown in colour. Untreated wastewater from distillery
industries have an adverse impact on the sustainability of the environment due to its
high pollutant concentration. Hence, distillery industry effluent requires urgent
attention for the minimization of toxic waste generation. Several technologies used in
the elimination of pollutants from wastewater include physico-chemical and
bioremediation techniques. Bioremediation technique is a simple, economical, and the
most potential technique. Among bioremediation methods, anaerobic, aerobic, and
various kinds of phytoremediation processes have been discussed here. Further, the
removal of contaminants by bacteria, fungi, and algae has also been mentioned. A large
amount of sludge generation by the anaerobic process also needs attention and proper
management. It also outlines the mechanism of the decolourization of melanoidin by
microorganisms. The role of different bioreactors in bioremediation technique has also
been discussed in detail. Keeping in view the applicability of different bioremediation
techniques discussed here for removal of melanoidin high biological oxygen demand
(BOD), high chemical oxygen demand (COD), a heavy concentration of suspended
solids, polysaccharide, lignin, protein and waxes, it is expected that this technique can
be useful for further treatment in a variety of wastewater from distillery industries
Keywords: Aerobic, Algae, Anaerobic, Bacteria, Biological oxygen demand, Bioreactors, Bioremediation technique, Chemical oxygen demand, Distillery industry, Fungi, Inorganic matters, Lignine, Melanoidin, Microorganisms, Organic compounds, Physico-chemical technique, Polysaccharide, Protein, Suspended solids and waxes.
