Bacterial degradation of phenol: a review of the current state of knowledge

Abstract

Phenol is a toxic and recalcitrant contaminant widely used in various industries, including petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and agrochemical industries. Bacterial degradation of phenol is a promising method for treating phenol-contaminated wastewater. The biodegradation of phenol by bacteria can effectively remove it from the environment, making it a valuable alternative to traditional chemical treatment methods. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the bacterial biodegradation of phenol, including those in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and agrochemical sectors, the metabolic pathways involved in phenol degradation, and the factors that influence the efficiency of phenol biodegradation. This paper also discusses the challenges and limitations of using bacteria for the biodegradation of phenol, including the need for further research to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the process. The outcome of this review demonstrates that bacterial biodegradation is a promising and effective method for treating phenol-contaminated wastewater and provides a foundation for future research to improve the efficiency and continuous use of this process.