Biocatalytic degradation of pollutants.

Microbial reactions play key roles in biocatalysis and biodegradation. The recent genome sequencing of environmentally relevant bacteria has revealed previously unsuspected metabolic potential that could be exploited for useful purposes. For example, oxygenases and other biodegradative enzymes are benign catalysts that can be used for the production of industrially useful compounds. In conjunction with their biodegradative capacities, bacterial chemotaxis towards pollutants might contribute to the ability of bacteria to compete with other organisms in the environment and to be efficient agents for bioremediation. In addition to the bacterial biomineralization of organic pollutants, certain bacteria are also capable of immobilizing toxic heavy metals in contaminated aquifers, further illustrating the potential of microorganisms for the removal of pollutants.