Strategies for bioremediation of polychlorinated biphenyls

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2004 Aug;65(3):250-8. doi: 10.1007/s00253-004-1654-y. Epub 2004 Jul 10.

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are serious environmental pollutants that threaten both the natural ecosystem and human health. For remediation of environments contaminated with PCBs, several approaches that exploit the potential of microbes to degrade PCBs have been developed. These approaches include improvement of PCB solubilization and entry into the cell, pathway and enzyme engineering, and control of enzyme expression. In this mini-review, we briefly summarize these strategies and provide potentially useful knowledge for the further improvement of the bacterial breakdown of PCBs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / enzymology*
  • Bacteria / genetics*
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism
  • Genetic Engineering / methods
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / metabolism*

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls