Chapter 24 - Microbial enzymes in bioremediation

Abstract

The continuous dumping of xenobiotic chemicals, such as plastics, insecticides, hydrocarbon-containing substances, heavy metals, synthetic dyes, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers, is a major source of pollution that must be addressed. Many modern remediation technologies, such as physical, chemical, and biological, are used today, yet they are insufficient to clean up the environment. Enzymatic bioremediation is a rapid, simple, environmentally beneficial, and socially acceptable bioremediation method. Many bioremediating microbial enzymes, such as oxidases, reductases, transferases, as well as hydrolytic and degrading enzymes, have been discovered and reported in natural sources. Microbial enzymes carry out many processes, including oxidation, reduction, transformation, degradation, and mineralization, to diminish or eradicate environmental contamination. However, the low production of such enzymes is restricting their further use. Genetic engineering, immobilization, nanoenzymes, biosensors, bioleaching, and other approaches can improve enzyme effectiveness, activity, stability, substrate selectivity, and shelf life, all of which assist in removing contaminants from the environment. The present chapter summarizes the bacteria and their enzymes involved in the bioremediation of toxic, carcinogenic, and hazardous environmental contaminants. At the same time, we explore the role of enzymes in industrial bioremediation.