The present study dealt with the decolorization and degradation of textile dye Reactive blue-25 (0.1 g l(-1)) by mycelium of Aspergillus ochraceus NCIM-1146. Spectrophotometric and visual examinations showed that the decolorization was through fungal adsorption, followed by degradation. Shaking condition was found to be better for complete and faster adsorption (7 h) and decolorization (20 days) of dye Reactive blue-25 (100 mg l(-1)) as compared to static condition. Presence of glucose in medium showed faster adsorption (4 h) and decolorization of dye from bound (7 days) mycelium. FTIR and GCMS analysis study revealed biodegradation of Reactive blue-25 into two metabolites phthalimide and di-isobutyl phthalate. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.