Molecular biology of biodegradation

✍ Scribed by M.A.Z. Ayub

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 160 KB
• Volume: 37
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0964-8305
• DOI: 10.1016/0964-8305(96)84330-7

✦ Synopsis

Organochlorines are greatly used, principally as herbicides, fungicides, wood preservatives, paint removers, solvents, etc. Apart from this, industrial efiluents from the chemical, petrochemical and paper industries, among others, contribute an enormous level of pollution in terms of biochemical and chemical oxygen demand. Using molecular biology techniques, it is possible to identify and isolate the genetic elements responsible for the metabolic steps involved in biodegradation. This basic scientific knowledge will be applied to the development of biotechnological tools to produce controlled, optimised processes for the biodegradation of effluents and other pollutants (insecticides, pesticides, fuels, etc.) using adapted or genetically modified microorganisms.