Therefore, this chapter intends to provide an overview on the application of
biofilm for the biotransformation and bioremediation of heavily polluted environments. The modes of action of these biofilms derived from these beneficial microorganism were also highlighted in detail. Moreover, further suggestion and
recommendations that could facilitate the application of biofilm derived from beneficial microorganisms are also discussed in detail.
9.2 Application of Microbial Biofilm for Biotransformation
of Contaminants
Edwards and Kjellerup (2013) in a review looked at the utilization of biofilms in the
biotransformation and bioremediation of some environmental and health priority
contaminants, pesticides, heavy metals, special body care products, pharmaceuticals
and pesticides. The authors stated that the longest ever industrial pollution, which
affect every facet of the environment for several decades, has an unlimited toll in the
lives of living organisms therein. These several mitigation approaches have been put
into place. However, the use of a more efficient, sustainable approach-microbes
(bio-films), is needed for a cleaner environment. These beneficial microbes are well
known for the shear stress, chemical detoxification and eco-protection. The authors
suggested that biofilms can be used as a bioeco-marker for studying of polluted
rivers, streams, lake drainage systems, etc. to ensure water quality and the protection
of aquatic biota.
Saba et al. (2018) tested and evaluated the biosorption and biotransformation
potentials of Exiguobacterium on As (arsenic). The authors used the biofilm and
planktonic methods of growth in the analysis of the As transformation and the
HPLC-ICP-MS for the biosorption. The results of the biological controlled experiment revealed that the bacteria in the planktonic media were able reduce about
3.73 m/mol of AS
5+ into AS
3+ from a synthetic wastewater effluent after 48 h
incubation period. While the results of the biosorption showed that the biomass of
the biofilms and planktonic media were 29.4 mg/g and 25.2 mg/g, respectively. The
arsenic biosorption process showed that the stress level after 3 days was significantly
impacted and as against the control at P < 0.05. The authors in conclusion stated that
native arsenic resistance microbe E. profundum PT2 was established for biosorption
and biotransform arsenic in both the biofilms and planktonic media. That it should be
considered as a good candidacy for the eco-restoration of pollutants in the ecosystem
because it is green and cost-effective for the purpose it is designed for.
Agrawal and Kumar (2015) did a review of the bacterial alteration of xenobiotic
composites as a clean-up process in an ecosystem. The authors opined that xenobiotic composites are tough recalcitrant materials set off from various environmental
outputs (natural and man-made), found in the ecosystem, which have resulted to
global worry because of the attendant health risks (tetragenotoxicity,
mutagenotoxicity, and carcinogenotoxicity) they pose. Microbial biofilms have
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C. O. Adetunji and O. A. Anani
biofilm for the biotransformation and bioremediation of heavily polluted environments. The modes of action of these biofilms derived from these beneficial microorganism were also highlighted in detail. Moreover, further suggestion and
recommendations that could facilitate the application of biofilm derived from beneficial microorganisms are also discussed in detail.
9.2 Application of Microbial Biofilm for Biotransformation
of Contaminants
Edwards and Kjellerup (2013) in a review looked at the utilization of biofilms in the
biotransformation and bioremediation of some environmental and health priority
contaminants, pesticides, heavy metals, special body care products, pharmaceuticals
and pesticides. The authors stated that the longest ever industrial pollution, which
affect every facet of the environment for several decades, has an unlimited toll in the
lives of living organisms therein. These several mitigation approaches have been put
into place. However, the use of a more efficient, sustainable approach-microbes
(bio-films), is needed for a cleaner environment. These beneficial microbes are well
known for the shear stress, chemical detoxification and eco-protection. The authors
suggested that biofilms can be used as a bioeco-marker for studying of polluted
rivers, streams, lake drainage systems, etc. to ensure water quality and the protection
of aquatic biota.
Saba et al. (2018) tested and evaluated the biosorption and biotransformation
potentials of Exiguobacterium on As (arsenic). The authors used the biofilm and
planktonic methods of growth in the analysis of the As transformation and the
HPLC-ICP-MS for the biosorption. The results of the biological controlled experiment revealed that the bacteria in the planktonic media were able reduce about
3.73 m/mol of AS
5+ into AS
3+ from a synthetic wastewater effluent after 48 h
incubation period. While the results of the biosorption showed that the biomass of
the biofilms and planktonic media were 29.4 mg/g and 25.2 mg/g, respectively. The
arsenic biosorption process showed that the stress level after 3 days was significantly
impacted and as against the control at P < 0.05. The authors in conclusion stated that
native arsenic resistance microbe E. profundum PT2 was established for biosorption
and biotransform arsenic in both the biofilms and planktonic media. That it should be
considered as a good candidacy for the eco-restoration of pollutants in the ecosystem
because it is green and cost-effective for the purpose it is designed for.
Agrawal and Kumar (2015) did a review of the bacterial alteration of xenobiotic
composites as a clean-up process in an ecosystem. The authors opined that xenobiotic composites are tough recalcitrant materials set off from various environmental
outputs (natural and man-made), found in the ecosystem, which have resulted to
global worry because of the attendant health risks (tetragenotoxicity,
mutagenotoxicity, and carcinogenotoxicity) they pose. Microbial biofilms have
230
C. O. Adetunji and O. A. Anani