MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Recent advances in microbial engineering approaches for wastewater treatment: a review

Summary

This review explains how microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and algae can clean polluted water more effectively and cheaply than traditional methods. These microbes break down harmful chemicals, remove heavy metals, and clean industrial waste. Using multiple types of microbes together (microbial consortium) works better than using a single type, making it an environmentally friendly and economical solution for treating wastewater worldwide.

Background

Water scarcity and contamination are increasing globally due to natural and anthropogenic causes. Traditional wastewater treatment methods using physical and chemical processes are expensive and require high maintenance. Microorganisms have proven effective alternatives for sustainable wastewater treatment.

Objective

This review demonstrates how various microbes can be effectively used in wastewater treatment to achieve environmental sustainability and economic feasibility. The review focuses on microbial engineering approaches including bacteria, fungi, yeast, and microalgae for removing organic and inorganic pollutants.

Results

The review identifies multiple microbial approaches for treating various pollutants including dyes, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and heavy metals. Microbial consortia show advantages over pure cultures in removing pollutants, with bacteria utilizing enzymatic degradation, fungi secreting extracellular enzymes, and microalgae absorbing contaminants.

Conclusion

Microbial engineering offers sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to conventional wastewater treatment methods. Microbial consortia represent emerging biotechnology-based green approaches with advantages including fast removal, reduced environmental impact, and ecological sustainability compared to single-strain applications.
  • Published in:Bioengineered,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 37498651, DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2023.2184518
Scroll to Top