Genomics and Applied Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 64-74 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/gab 67 3 Applications of Engineered SynComs in Bioremediation 3.1 Case studies and examples of SynComs used in bioremediation Engineered synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) have shown significant promise in the field of bioremediation. One notable example is the use of biochar hybrid modified bio-microcapsules to enhance the degradation of phenanthrene in soil. This approach involved the immobilization of degrading bacteria within layer-by-layer assembly microcapsules, which were further modified with biochar. The results demonstrated a higher degradation efficiency of phenanthrene, achieving 80.5% degradation after 25 days compared to 66.2% with non-modified microcapsules (Deng et al., 2021). Another study highlighted the use of synthetically engineered microbial scavengers to degrade fastidious pollutants, greenhouse gases, and microplastics. These engineered microbes were designed to have improved efficiency in biodegradation while minimizing their ecological impact (Tran et al., 2021). 3.2 Success stories in different environments (soil, water, air) The application of engineered SynComs has yielded success in various environmental contexts. In soil environments, the biochar hybrid modified bio-microcapsules demonstrated enhanced phenanthrene degradation, showcasing the potential of SynComs in soil bioremediation (Deng et al., 2021). In aquatic environments, engineered microbial scavengers have been employed to degrade complex pollutants, including microplastics and greenhouse gases, thereby contributing to the restoration of water quality (Tran et al., 2021). Although specific examples of air bioremediation using SynComs are less documented, the principles of microbial enzyme degradation suggest potential applications in air purification by targeting airborne pollutants through catalytic reactions (Saravanan et al., 2021). 3.3 Mechanisms of action for pollutant degradation The mechanisms by which engineered SynComs degrade pollutants are multifaceted and involve various biochemical pathways. One primary mechanism is the use of microbial enzymes, such as hydrolases, oxidoreductases, dehalogenases, oxygenases, and transferases, which catalyze the breakdown of toxic pollutants into non-toxic forms (Saravanan et al., 2021). In the case of biochar hybrid modified bio-microcapsules, the strong adsorption properties of biochar enhance the mass transfer of pollutants to the degrading bacteria, thereby improving the overall degradation efficiency. Additionally, biochar stimulates bacterial metabolism and membrane transport, further facilitating pollutant breakdown (Deng et al., 2021). Metabolic engineering techniques, including the use of recombinant DNA technology and CRISPR-Cas systems, have also been employed to create microbial strains with enhanced degradation capabilities. These techniques enable the assembly of catabolic modules from different origins within a single microbial cell, expanding the range of substrates that can be degraded (Sharma and Shukla, 2020). In summary, the application of engineered SynComs in bioremediation has shown promising results across different environments, utilizing advanced genetic and biochemical strategies to enhance pollutant degradation. The continued development and optimization of these systems hold great potential for addressing complex environmental pollutants effectively. 4 Addressing Complex Environmental Pollutants 4.1 Definition and examples of complex pollutants Complex environmental pollutants are substances that pose significant challenges to degradation due to their chemical stability, toxicity, and persistence in the environment. These pollutants include heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni), as well as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), plastics, and various agrochemicals (Garg, 2020; Akash et al., 2022; Bala et al., 2022). These compounds are often introduced into the environment through industrial activities, agricultural practices, and improper waste disposal, leading to widespread contamination of soil, water, and air (Akash et al., 2022; Bala et al., 2022).
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