We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Probiotic and Microbial Enzymatic Mechanisms for PFAS Detoxification
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines microbial and enzymatic mechanisms — including oxygenases, reductive dehalogenases, and gut microbiota sequestration — capable of transforming or partially degrading PFAS 'forever chemicals,' while noting that complete mineralization remains elusive. PFAS are co-contaminants frequently found sorbed to microplastics in environmental samples, making probiotic and microbial degradation strategies highly relevant for combined exposure remediation.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent environmental contaminants that pose a significant threat to ecosystems and human health due to their exceptional chemical stability and resistance to degradation. Conventional remediation methods-such as activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange, and advanced oxidation-primarily transfer PFAS between phases rather than achieving complete mineralization, resulting in the generation of secondary waste. Microbial bioremediation has emerged as a promising, sustainable strategy. Several bacteria, fungi, and cyanobacteria can transform or defluorinate PFAS under environmentally relevant conditions, yielding less fluorinated intermediates. Enzymatic studies have identified oxygenases and reductive dehalogenases as key catalysts in the cleavage of C-F bonds. Moreover, recent evidence indicates that the gut microbiota can adsorb and sequester PFAS, facilitating fecal elimination and reducing systemic toxicity. Advances in synthetic biology now enable the engineering of microbial systems, including probiotic strains, with enhanced PFAS uptake and degradation capabilities. However, significant challenges remain; current microbial pathways primarily act through partial transformation rather than complete mineralization, often accumulating stable fluorinated intermediates. True mineralization is constrained by low enzymatic efficiency, narrow substrate specificity, and the difficulty of translating laboratory success to complex environmental matrices. This review critically synthesizes current progress in microbial and probiotic bioremediation of PFAS, emphasizing enzymatic mechanisms, microbial pathways, and integration with conventional treatment systems. By engaging with these limitations alongside promising advances, we provide a balanced assessment of the feasibility of microbial and engineered probiotic approaches, highlighting knowledge gaps and future directions for developing safe, scalable detoxification technologies.
More Papers Like This
The effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on environmental and human microorganisms and their potential for bioremediation
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) affect microbial populations across soils, aquatic environments, and the human microbiome. Researchers found that some bacterial species thrive in PFAS-contaminated environments while others are significantly inhibited, and certain microbes show promise for bioremediation of these persistent pollutants. The findings suggest that understanding microbial responses to PFAS could open new avenues for environmental cleanup strategies.
Genetically engineered microorganisms: A promising frontier for PFAS bioremediation
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the potential of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) for breaking down persistent PFAS contaminants, highlighting how CRISPR-enhanced dehalogenases and metabolic pathway engineering offer a safer alternative to high-temperature incineration while presenting scalability and ecological containment challenges that require further research.
Novel Approaches in Establishing Chemical Food Safety Based on the Detoxification Capacity of Probiotics and Postbiotics: A Critical Review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines emerging evidence that probiotics and their metabolic byproducts (postbiotics) can help neutralize environmental contaminants in food, including bacterial toxins, mycotoxins, pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics. Researchers found that various probiotic strains can bind to, transform, or break down these harmful substances through multiple mechanisms. The study highlights biological approaches using beneficial microorganisms as a practical and cost-effective strategy for improving food safety.
Leading Techniques for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) Remediating in Water and Wastewater
AI summary Read the abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called "forever chemicals," are highly persistent contaminants found in water and soil worldwide. This review evaluates the leading remediation techniques available for removing PFAS from contaminated environments, comparing their effectiveness, scalability, and cost. Given PFAS's resistance to natural degradation, engineered removal strategies are essential for protecting drinking water sources and ecosystems.
Investigating the degradation potential of microbial consortia for perfluorooctane sulfonate through a functional "top-down" screening approach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used a top-down functional screening approach to identify microbial consortia capable of degrading PFOS, a persistent and toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance, finding candidate communities that could advance bioremediation strategies for PFAS-contaminated environments.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.