2026/04/13 by Hikaru Suenaga, Hidehiko Fujihara · 1 voice
Environmental Science · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants #Enzyme-mediated dye degradation #Chromium effects and bioremediation
paper · pdf · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2026.1795400
openalex publication_date 2026/04/13 · openalex created_date 2026/04/14 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Aromatic hydrocarbons, including persistent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), impose strong selective pressures that drive the adaptive evolution of bacterial degradation systems. Metagenomic studies have revealed extensive diversification of key catabolic enzymes, such as ring-hydroxylating and ring-cleavage dioxygenases, through the accumulation of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and structural modifications that increase substrate range and enhance catalytic efficiency in polluted environments. These findings demonstrate that gene mutations that change enzyme properties collectively shape the evolution of aromatic-degrading bacteria. Metagenomics is powerful tools for elucidating these evolutionary processes and advancing applications in bioremediation and industrial biocatalysis.