A yeast strain Pseudozyma rugulosa Y48,which was isolated from soil by screening experiments,could effectively decolorize azo dyes.This strain gave a maximal decolorization rate of 99% for Reactive Black KN-B of initial concentration of 100 mg·L-1.The optimal culture conditions were as follow: inoculation volume ≥3%(V/V);pH 6—9;(NH4)2SO4 concentration ≥0.1% and glucose concentration ≥1%.The results on the mechanism showed that decolorization of the dye proceeded primarily by absorption and degradation.The r...