Microbial Degradation of Xenobiotic Compounds

Xenobiotic compounds are extraneous chemicals accumulated in the environment that are posing a threat to the biosphere. The highly recalcitrant nature of xenobiotic compounds makes them resistant to biological degradation. However, numerous microorganisms have been extensively explored for their competency in the degradation of such compounds. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitroaromatic compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as halogenated aliphatic, azo compounds, s-triazines, and organic sulfonic acids, are essential classes of pollutants with xenobiotic structural characteristics. These compounds must be assessed for their degradation extent employing efficient microbes. In natural environments, the surrounding ’environment’s physicochemical attributes may influence and indeed constrain overall biodegradation performance. Moreover, during microbial degradation, several biotic and abiotic factors such as pH, temperature, etc., influence the process. The current chapter presents an overview of the microbial degradation of xenobiotics. A systematic approach for efficient degradation and factors affecting the overall process is comprehensively discussed. Further, the current challenges and opportunities concerning the degradation of distinct xenobiotics are also discussed.