A review on biotransformation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons mediated by biosurfactant producing bacteria

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are found ubiquitously in our environment. It has been identified as hazardous chemicals by different state and central pollution control board due to their toxicity against living beings. They may be mutagenic or carcinogenic. Treatments of these pollutants to reduce toxicity are the area of more concern. At present various chemical treatments has been applied to transform the Polyaromatic hydrocarbons to less toxic compound, but these treatment sometimes produce byproducts, which may be more toxic than the previous form of compound. Microbes isolated from contaminated soil as well as non-contaminated soil found effective in degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It has been also investigated that bacterial species which produce biosurfactant are capable of bioremediation of soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Biosurfactant mediated biotransformation is the area of study for future perspective also because it is ecofriendly technique and doesn’t produce toxic byproducts. The objective of this study to explore the role of biosurfactant producers in degradation of polyaromatic hydrocarbon. A brief overview about Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, their impact on nature and methods available for degradation of these contaminants has been done. Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Mycobacterium are studied extensively for biodegradation purpose of hydrocarbons.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• Bacillus subtilis
• Bioremediation
• Biosurfactant
• Biotransformation
• Mycobacterium
• Polyaromatic hydrocarbons
• biodegradation
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa