Application of Microorganisms in Biotransformation and Bioremediation of Environmental Contaminant: A Review

Abstract

The increase in population has resulted in a rapid increase in waste that is being dumped within the environment. The addition of various harmful and contaminating compounds results in the degradation of the environment and has a direct impact on human health. Various research studies that are taking place in recent times help in the enhancement of the naturally available microbes to degrade toxic compounds that are liberated into the environment. Although various types of bioremediation techniques are available, microbe-associated remediation is proven to be the best option due to its effectiveness, no generation of toxic by-products, and natural availability of microbes with the ability to take up nutrients from the toxic contaminants that exist on the surface of the earth. Both ex situ and in situ bioremediation can be accomplished with the help of these microbes. In most cases, this is done through biofilm-assisted seclusion of pollutants, more precisely by means of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) of biofilm matrix. In recent times, various types of techniques have been implemented like proteomics, genomics, fluxomics and transcriptomics for bringing about maximum remediation by the microbial species. In order to explore the different kinds of microbial communities involved in natural bioremediation, the strategic approach of metagenomic analysis is adopted, which has brought about a technological drift in remediation, even at a genomic level. As chemical mode of remediating wastes are associated with the release of various harmful chemicals those can be toxic to the environment, the use of biological systems can be a potential agent in the conversion of complex waste materials to simpler substances so that it mixes with the environment in easier manner. Microbes are the potential entities that can easily act on the waste materials and bring about remediation in an effective manner.

Keywords:

• Biofilm
• bioremediation
• microbes
• omics
• organic waste
• pollutant

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).