Microbial degradation of hydrocarbons from petroleum assisted by biosurfactants: Pathways and bioremediation potential.

Abstract

Petroleum pollution from oil extraction, transportation, and industrial activities poses significant threats to marine ecosystems and socioeconomic stability due to the high toxicity of alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to many organisms. Traditional remediation methods, including physical removal and chemical oxidation, are often costly and ecologically disruptive. Microbial degradation, facilitated by hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Alcanivorax borkumensis, offers a sustainable alternative by converting hydrocarbons into non-toxic CO₂ and water. This review examines the degradation pathways of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons by these bacteria, highlighting key enzymatic mechanisms and the pivotal role of biosurfactants-specifically rhamnolipids, and glycine-glucolipid-in enhancing hydrocarbon bioavailability. It also delves into the biosynthesis of these biosurfactants, along with the involvement of non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) in producing lipopeptide biosurfactants such as surfactin. Additionally, the review addresses the challenges associated with scaling up biosurfactant production for bioremediation applications. Through a synopsis of recent research, this work proposes strategies to optimize biosurfactant efficacy, contributing to environmental sustainability and advancing the field of microbial ecology.