Chapter 9
Utilization of Microbial Biofilm
for the Biotransformation
and Bioremediation of Heavily Polluted
Environment
Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji and Osikemekha Anthony Anani
Contents
9.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
9.2 Application of Microbial Biofilm for Biotransformation of Contaminants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
9.3 Application of Microbial Biofilm for Bioremediation of Heavily Polluted
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
9.4 Modes of Action Involved in the Application of Biofilms Derived from Microorganisms
for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
9.5 Different Types of Biofilm Bioreactors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
9.6 Conclusion and Further Recommendation for Further Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Abstract It has been observed that beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in
the biodegradation of waste pollutants and natural organic compounds through
numerous catabolic pathways which enable these strains to persist in numerous
environments. The application of biofilm has been identified as a sustainable biotechnological approaches that could be applied for effective management of heavily
contaminated environment. Biofilms are defined as the self-produced extra polymeric matrices that comprise sessile microbial community where the cells are
characterized by their attachment to either biotic or abiotic surfaces. These extra
cellular slime natured covers enclose the microbial cells and protect from various
external factors. The components of biofilms are very vital as they contribute
towards the structural and functional aspects of the biofilms. Microbial biofilms
C. O. Adetunji (*)
Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of
Microbiology, Edo University Iyamho, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria
O. A. Anani (*)
Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Forensic Biology, Department of Biological Science, Animal
and Environmental Unit, Faculty of Science, Edo University Iyamho, Iyamho, Edo State,
Nigeria
e-mail: adetunji.charles@edouniversity.edu.ng
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D. G. Panpatte, Y. K. Jhala (eds.), Microbial Rejuvenation of Polluted Environment,
Microorganisms for Sustainability 25, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7447-4_9
227
Utilization of Microbial Biofilm
for the Biotransformation
and Bioremediation of Heavily Polluted
Environment
Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji and Osikemekha Anthony Anani
Contents
9.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
9.2 Application of Microbial Biofilm for Biotransformation of Contaminants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
9.3 Application of Microbial Biofilm for Bioremediation of Heavily Polluted
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
9.4 Modes of Action Involved in the Application of Biofilms Derived from Microorganisms
for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
9.5 Different Types of Biofilm Bioreactors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
9.6 Conclusion and Further Recommendation for Further Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Abstract It has been observed that beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in
the biodegradation of waste pollutants and natural organic compounds through
numerous catabolic pathways which enable these strains to persist in numerous
environments. The application of biofilm has been identified as a sustainable biotechnological approaches that could be applied for effective management of heavily
contaminated environment. Biofilms are defined as the self-produced extra polymeric matrices that comprise sessile microbial community where the cells are
characterized by their attachment to either biotic or abiotic surfaces. These extra
cellular slime natured covers enclose the microbial cells and protect from various
external factors. The components of biofilms are very vital as they contribute
towards the structural and functional aspects of the biofilms. Microbial biofilms
C. O. Adetunji (*)
Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of
Microbiology, Edo University Iyamho, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria
O. A. Anani (*)
Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Forensic Biology, Department of Biological Science, Animal
and Environmental Unit, Faculty of Science, Edo University Iyamho, Iyamho, Edo State,
Nigeria
e-mail: adetunji.charles@edouniversity.edu.ng
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D. G. Panpatte, Y. K. Jhala (eds.), Microbial Rejuvenation of Polluted Environment,
Microorganisms for Sustainability 25, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7447-4_9
227