BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO BIOREMEDIATION AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT: UTILIZING MICROBIAL AND ENZYMATIC STRATEGIES TO DEGRADE POLLUTANTS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES: A REVIEW

Background: Environmental pollution from industrial, agricultural, and municipal sources presents a significant threat to ecological and human health. As traditional wastewater treatment methods face limitations in cost, efficiency, and pollutant removal, biotechnological approaches have emerged as sustainable alternatives. Microbial and enzymatic bioremediation techniques offer the potential for targeted, eco-friendly degradation of a broad range of contaminants, including heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and synthetic chemicals. Objective: This narrative review aims to explore recent advances in biotechnological and microbial approaches for bioremediation and wastewater treatment, with a focus on enzymatic catalysis, microbial consortia, and integrated treatment systems. Main Discussion Points: Key mechanisms such as biosorption, enzymatic degradation, and microbial metabolism are discussed in detail. Special emphasis is placed on the roles of laccases, hydrolases, and oxidoreductases in the breakdown of persistent pollutants. The review also highlights innovations in enzyme engineering, CRISPR-based microbial enhancement, and nanotechnology to improve efficiency and environmental adaptability. Integrated treatment systems, including constructed wetlands and algae-based bioreactors, are reviewed as models for circular economy and resource recovery. Conclusion: Biotechnological strategies hold transformative potential for pollution control and environmental restoration. However, challenges such as environmental variability, scalability, and regulatory limitations remain. Continued interdisciplinary research and the integration of emerging technologies are essential to optimize these systems for real-world applications.