Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Authors: İSMAİL DEMİR, ZİHNİ DEMİRBAĞ

Abstract: Polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as petroleum and petroleum derivatives, are widespread organic pollutants entering the environment, chiefly, through oil spills and incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Since most PAHs are persist in the environment for a long period of time and bioaccumulate, they cause environmental pollution and effect biological equilibrium dramatically. Biodegradation of some PAHs by microorganisms has been biochemically and genetically investigated. Gene locations for some of these pathways are frequently found in exrachromosomal elements. Determination, isolation and characterization of microorganisms which participate in the bidegradation of PAHs have great significance in the decontamination of the environment in shorter periods. Decontamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which cause environmental pollution and effect biological equilibrium dramatically, has also great significance for environmental and applied microbiology. In this review article, we focussed on the biodegradation of hydrocarbons which contaminates the environment.

Keywords: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Environmental Microbiology, Biodegradation

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