Method for eliminating a nitrogenated heterocyclic, or aromatic, compound in an effluent

A method for converting a nitro group into an amine group of a compound present in a solution, wherein said compound has the following formula (I):

• wherein
• R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —NO2, —OH, —COOH, —Cl, —NH2, cyclic glucose units and linear glucose units, wherein the cyclic and linear glucose units are optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from the group consisting of acetyl, tolyl, linear alkyl groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and cyclic alkyl groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein the linear and cyclic alkyl groups are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of —NO2, —OH, —COOH, —Cl, and —NH2;
• said method comprising the following steps:
• a) bringing said solution of compound (I) into contact with a Bacillus licheniformis which is capable of converting the nitro group into an amime group thereby converting one nitro group of compound (I) into an amine group in the solution;
• and
• b) separating the Bacillus licheniformis from the solution obtained after step a).