Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): An Enzymatic Viewpoint

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of hazardous organic pollutants that pose significant environmental and health risks due to their persistent nature and carcinogenic properties. Traditional remedial techniques often fall short in effectively reducing PAH contamination in soil and water. Bioremediation, leveraging the metabolic capabilities of microorganisms, has emerged as a promising alternative for the degradation of PAHs. This abstract focuses on the enzymatic mechanisms involved in the bioremediation of PAHs, highlighting the role of microbial enzymes such as dioxygenases, dehydrogenases, and transferases in the enzymatic breakdown of complex PAH structures. These enzymes facilitate the oxidation, ring-cleavage, and mineralization of PAHs into less harmful compounds. Recent advances in molecular biology and bioengineering have enabled the identification and enhancement of specific PAH-degrading enzymes, improving the efficiency of bioremediation processes. Moreover, understanding the enzymatic pathways and interactions among microbial consortia offers insights into developing effective bioremediation strategies. This review underscores the importance of enzymatic approaches in the bioremediation of PAHs and suggests future directions for research in enzyme engineering and microbial ecology to optimize bioremediation processes for contaminated environments.