Biodegradation of methyl violet by Pseudomonas mendocina MCM B-402

Pseudomonas mendocina MCM B-402 was found to utilize a triphenylmethane dye , methyl violet as the sole source of carbon when incorporated in synthetic medium. Almost complete decolorization of methyl violet by P. mendocina wa s observed within 48 h of incubation at ambient temperature (28 +/- 2 degre es C) under aerated culture conditions, when the bacteria were inoculated i nto Davis Mingioli's synthetic medium at a concentration of 100 mg/l medium . Methyl violet was mineralized to CO2 through three unknown intermediate m etabolites and phenol. The decolorization of the dye involved demethylation .