Abstract

Textile dyes are considered emerging pollutants due to their recalcitrant and xenobiotic nature, making them toxic and mutagenic, leading to various environmental impacts. Aspergillus fungi, known for their metabolic diversity and high environmental adaptability, emerge as an alternative for remediating these contaminants. The evolution and trends in research on the application of Aspergillus in the bioremediation of textile dyes were assessed through a scientometric analysis of articles indexed in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, using the Bibliometrix tool. A total of 283 documents were identified over 28 years since the first publication, indicating that although the topic is established, research output remains limited. Publications originated from 43 countries, with India as the leading contributor; however, the low rate of international collaboration (12.37%) highlights the need for stronger global partnerships. Research primarily focused on dye decolorization via biosorption and biodegradation, with Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus as the most frequently studied species. Recent trends emphasize lignolytic enzymes, especially laccase, and integrative approaches combining biological and physicochemical processes. The results also reveal the urgent need for comprehensive toxicological assessments beyond phytotoxicity, considering increasing concerns about textile effluent impacts on ecosystems and human health.

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