Immobilised bacterial cells in decolourisation of azo dyes: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bioremediation is traditionally performed using free bacterial cells; however, immobilised bacterial cells have gained attention recently as a promising technique due to the numerous benefits presented. Removing dyes by biological processes is gaining apparent interest because it is profitable and environmentally friendly. Azo dyes, released into the environment, have dangerous effects on aquatic and human life, and their persistence and discharge into the environment are becoming a global concern. Considering the importance of the aspects involved in the bioremediation of azo dyes by immobilised microbial cells and the growing number of publications on the subject, this review aimed to survey state-of-the-art and make a bibliometric mapping of these studies in the period from 2013 to 2023. The analysis of articles was selected from the Science Direct database. The bibliometric mapping provided relevant data to understand the evolution of research in the area and the main bottlenecks that must be overcome for future advances to be achieved.