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Biotransformation of Pesticides across Biological Systems: Molecular Mechanisms, Omics Insights, and Biotechnological Advances for Environmental Sustainability

Summary

This review explains how living organisms like bacteria, plants, and animals break down pesticides through biological processes called biotransformation. The body uses special enzymes to transform pesticides into forms that are easier to eliminate. Understanding these natural cleanup processes helps scientists develop better strategies to remove pesticide pollution from soil and water, protecting both human health and ecosystems.

Background

Pesticides are widely applied in agriculture with global consumption exceeding 4 million tons annually, resulting in significant environmental contamination of soils, water, and food chains. Biotransformation, the enzymatic modification of pesticides by microorganisms, plants, and animals, plays a crucial role in pesticide degradation and detoxification. Understanding biotransformation mechanisms is essential for assessing persistence, bioaccumulation, and adverse effects on nontarget organisms.

Objective

This comprehensive review examines pesticide biotransformation mechanisms across biological systems, including key enzyme classes and environmental factors influencing degradation. The review synthesizes recent advances in omics technologies and synthetic biology approaches for enhanced degradation capabilities while addressing the environmental fate and risks of transformation products.

Results

The review identifies key enzymatic systems including cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, hydrolases, oxidoreductases, and transferases mediating pesticide biotransformation. Major microbial taxa including Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Bacillus, and white-rot fungi demonstrate significant degradation capabilities. Advanced analytical techniques including LC-MS/MS, metabolomics, and multiomics integration enable comprehensive characterization of transformation products and metabolic pathways.

Conclusion

Biotransformation is a fundamental process for mitigating pesticide pollution through natural attenuation in the environment. Advances in omics technologies and synthetic biology provide new opportunities for engineering enhanced degradation capabilities in microorganisms and plants. Future research must address knowledge gaps regarding transformation product toxicity, environmental persistence, and development of sustainable management practices for pesticide remediation.
  • Published in:ACS Omega,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 41210834, DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c06484
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