Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: An updated microbiological review

A class of organic priority pollutants known as PAHs is of critical public health and environmental concern due to its carcinogenic properties as well as its genotoxic, mutagenic, and cytotoxic properties. Research to eliminate PAHs from the environment has increased significantly due to awareness about their negative effects on the environment and human health. Various environmental factors, including nutrients, microorganisms present and their abundance, and the nature and chemical properties of the PAH affect the biodegradation of PAHs. A large spectrum of bacteria, fungi, and algae have ability to degrade PAHs with the biodegradation capacity of bacteria and fungi receiving the most attention. A considerable amount of research has been conducted in the last few decades on analyzing microbial communities for their genomic organization, enzymatic and biochemical properties capable of degrading PAH. While it is true that PAH degrading microorganisms offer potential for recovering damaged ecosystems in a cost-efficient way, new advances are needed to make these microbes more robust and successful at eliminating toxic chemicals. By optimizing some factors like adsorption, bioavailability and mass transfer of PAHs, microorganisms in their natural habitat could be greatly improved to biodegrade PAHs. This review aims to comprehensively discuss the latest findings and address the current wealth of knowledge in the microbial bioremediation of PAHs. Additionally, recent breakthroughs in PAH degradation are discussed in order to facilitate a broader understanding of the bioremediation of PAHs in the environment.

Automated summary

PAHs, a class of organic priority pollutants, pose significant public health and environmental concerns due to their carcinogenic, genotoxic, mutagenic, and cytotoxic properties. With increased awareness of their negative effects on the environment and human health, research on eliminating PAHs from the environment has exponentially increased. Various environmental factors, such as nutrients, microorganisms present and their abundance, and the nature and chemical properties of PAHs, affect the biodegradation of PAHs. While bacteria and fungi have garnered the most attention for their biodegradation capacity, a comprehensive understanding of microbial communities and their enzymatic and biochemical properties is crucial for successful PAH degradation. This review aims to comprehensively discuss the latest findings and advancements in the microbial bioremediation of PAHs to enhance the broader understanding of PAHs bioremediation in the environment.