Endophytic Bacteria In The Phytodegradation Of Persistent Organic Pollutants

Organic pollutants are released into the environment as a result of various human activities. Traditional physical and chemical methods for the clean-up of contaminated soil and water are often costly and invasive. A good alternative to the above methods is bacteria-assisted phytodegradation. Recently, particular attention has been focused on endophytic bacteria equipped with appropriate metabolic pathways, increasing the efficiency of organic compound degradation, and promoting plant growth. Endophytic bacteria are known to degrade various classes of organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile and monocyclic organic compounds, explosives as well as pesticides. They may also assist the bioremediation of greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide. Additionally, endophytic bacteria can promote the growth and development of plants through a wide range of direct and indirect mechanisms, which also affect the effectiveness of phytoremediation processes.

1. Introduction. 2. Phytodegradation of organic pollutants. 3. Sources of endophytic bacteria enhancing phytodegradation. 4. Organic pollutants degraded by endophytic bacteria. 5. Genetic basis of xenobiotics degradation in endophytic bacteria. 6. Mechanisms enhancing microbe-assisted phytodegradation. 7. Summary