Biodegradation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: A Minireview

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are commonly regarded as the Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP). PBDEs are ubiquitous, flame retardants widely found in synthetic polymers, clothing, plastics. PBDEs are threat to the safety of environment and health. Many reclamation studies such as biotransformation, remediation, and neutralisation are reported by chemical and biological processes. Out of the all the biological stood out due to its environmental-friendly and less production or formation of more potent daughter compounds than the parent. Bacterial species such as Pseudomonas, are majorly involved in eradication/removal of the environmental contaminant. The current study highlights the need to use consortium of the microbial species than a single strain and to increase its efficiency one can focus on involving inter-species (bacteria-fungus, bacteria-algae, fungus-algae) and concentrate on the enzymes released for the reductive-oxidative debromination of the PBDEs. The need is to centre the determination of the PBDEs in India and use indigenous organisms for the removal studies targeting the Indian scenario of the PBDEs production, consumption and release.