Bioregeneration of mono-amine modified silica and granular activated carbon loaded with Acid Orange 7 in batch system

► Use of acclimated biomass vital for successful bioregeneration process. ► Quantification of bioregeneration efficiencies of MAMS and GAC loaded with AO7 dye. ► Progressive adsorption capacity loss in multiple bioregeneration of spent MAMS. ► Bioregeneration efficiency improvement of AO7-loaded MAMS with bio-fouling removal. The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate the role of mixed culture of biomass in the regeneration of mono-amine modified silica (MAMS) and granular activated carbon (GAC) loaded with Acid Orange 7 (AO7), (2) to quantify and compare the bioregeneration efficiencies of AO7-loaded MAMS and GAC using the sequential adsorption and biodegradation approach and (3) to evaluate the reusability of bioregenerated MAMS. The results show that considerably higher bioregeneration efficiency of AO7-loaded MAMS as compared to that of AO7-loaded GAC was achieved due to higher reversibility of adsorption of MAMS for AO7 and favorable pH factor resulting in more AO7 desorption. The progressive loss of adsorption capacity of MAMS for AO7 with multiple cycles of use suggests possible chemical and microbial fouling of the adsorption sites.