Research Topic: microbial degradation

Impact of veterinary pharmaceuticals on environment and their mitigation through microbial bioremediation

Veterinary medicines used in livestock are contaminating our water and soil, creating serious problems like antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Scientists are discovering that natural microorganisms like bacteria and fungi can break down these pharmaceutical pollutants effectively. Advanced technologies combining microbes with electrical systems show promise for cleaning up contaminated wastewater, offering hope for a more sustainable solution to this growing environmental problem.

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Cumulative exposure of xenobiotics of emerging concern from agrifood under the One Health approach (XENOBAC4OH)

This research programme examines how harmful chemicals from industry and agriculture accumulate in our food supply and environment. Scientists used a ‘One Health’ approach that considers impacts on humans, animals, and ecosystems together. They tested methods to measure chemical contamination in water and soil, studied how bacteria might break down pollutants, and investigated how different farming practices affect the safety of food crops like tomatoes.

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Editorial: Pharmaceutically active micropollutants – how serious is the problem and is there a microbial way out?

Medicines we take don’t fully disappear—30 to 90% are excreted unchanged and end up in water supplies. These pharmaceutical residues contaminate drinking water and harm aquatic life worldwide. Scientists are discovering that certain fungi and bacteria can break down these drug residues through natural metabolic processes. By harnessing these microbes in treatment systems and improving waste management practices, we could significantly reduce pharmaceutical pollution.

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A comparison of the performance of bacterial biofilters and fungal–bacterial coupled biofilters in BTEp-X removal

Researchers compared two types of biofilters for cleaning polluted air from petrochemical plants. Fungal-bacterial biofilters significantly outperformed bacterial-only biofilters at removing harmful aromatic chemicals. The combined system recovered faster after interruptions and remained stable longer during continuous operation, making it more practical for industrial applications.

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Microbes’ role in environmental pollution and remediation: a bioeconomy focus approach

Microbes like bacteria and fungi can break down pollutants and transform harmful waste into useful products through biological processes called bioremediation. By employing these naturally occurring or genetically modified microorganisms, we can clean up contaminated soil and water while producing valuable products like proteins and biofuels. This approach offers an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable solution to waste management that reduces pollution while creating a circular bioeconomy.

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Pharmaceutical waste management through microbial bioremediation

Medicines we take are ending up in our water supplies and harming ecosystems. Instead of using expensive chemical treatments, scientists are using microorganisms like fungi and bacteria to break down pharmaceutical waste into harmless substances. This biological approach is cheaper and more environmentally friendly, though challenges remain in scaling up the technology. Additionally, designing medicines that naturally degrade after leaving the body could prevent pollution at its source.

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Nanomaterial-mediated strategies for enhancing bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: A systematic review

This review examines how combining tiny engineered materials (nanomaterials) with natural microorganisms can more effectively clean up environmental pollution from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are harmful chemicals produced by burning fossil fuels and other processes. The study found that using nanomaterials alongside bacteria significantly improved pollution removal rates in water and soil, with improvements of up to 19% in liquid samples and 14% in soil samples. Different types of nanomaterials like carbon-based materials and metal oxides work by helping bacteria degrade pollutants more efficiently through various mechanisms. This approach offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution compared to using traditional remediation methods alone.

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Biodegradation of BTEX by Bacteria Isolated From Soil Contaminated With Petroleum Sludge and Liquid and Solid Petrochemical Effluents

Scientists isolated bacteria from oil-contaminated soil that can effectively break down BTEX chemicals, which are toxic pollutants from petroleum products. Two bacterial strains, Arthrobacter pascens and Bacillus sp., proved most effective at degrading these harmful compounds, removing over 80% within 12 days. These findings suggest these bacteria could be used to clean up contaminated sites naturally and cost-effectively.

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Advancements in biopile-based sustainable soil remediation: a decade of improvements, integrating bioremediation technologies and AI-based innovative tools

This review examines how biopile technology, which uses naturally occurring microorganisms to break down soil pollutants, has improved over the past decade. By optimizing conditions like moisture, temperature, and oxygen levels, and combining biopiles with sustainable materials like biochar and biosurfactants, scientists can effectively remove contaminants from soil while supporting carbon storage and ecosystem recovery. The approach offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical remediation methods.

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