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Microbiome Engineering for Detoxification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Pesticides, Dyes, Dioxins, Arsenic (As), Mercury(Hg), Lead (Pb), Cadmium(Cd), Chromium(Cr)(VI), Pharmaceuticals and Microplastics: Challenges and Future Directions
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This review examined advances in microbiome engineering for degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other environmental pollutants, covering synthetic biology approaches, microbial consortia design, and host-microbiome modifications. Engineered microbial systems show promise for large-scale bioremediation of contaminated soils and waters.
Environmental pollution from hydrocarbons, heavy metals, plastics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and emerging contaminants poses severe ecological and public health risks. Microorganisms offer natural detoxification potential, yet their native capabilities are often insufficient for large-scale remediation. Advances in synthetic biology, microbial consortia engineering, host-microbiome modification, and computational modelling now allow the rational design of engineered microbiomes for pollutant degradation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on microbiome pollutant interactions, engineering strategies, case studies, and the associated ecological, regulatory, and technological challenges. Future directions, including AI-guided design, multi-omics integration, circular bio-economy applications, and human microbiome-based detoxification, are highlighted to provide a roadmap toward sustainable and safe environmental bioremediation Keywords: Microbiome engineering, environmental pollutants, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals
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