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Cited by 26Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactantsMicrobial Metabolic Engineering and BioproductionMicrobial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation

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Review: Synthetic Microbial Consortia in Bioremediation and Biodegradation

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Adamu, K.S., Bichi, Y.H., Nasiru, A.Y., Babangida, A.M., Umar, M.M., Usman, G., Muhammad, R.·2023·International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science
DOI 10.51584/ijrias.2023.8727
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Abstract

Since ancient times, we have worked with microbial consortia in a variety of contexts, including wastewater treatment, the production of biogas, additionally to biodegradation and bio cleansing. The great ability of microbial consortiums is, however, a very long way from being completely realized. Last few years have seen a surge in interest in biosynthesis and bioprocessing related to the understanding and use of microbial consortia. It can be difficult to implement complex tasks in a single population. Synthetic consortiums of microorganisms have long utilized in biotechnology procedures like waste management, agricultural farming, and fermentation. Today, microbial consortiums are being engineered for a range of uses by synthetic biologists. The division of collaborative work in consortia is crucial for the breakdown of environmental contaminants that are persistent, cultures need to be resilient to the complicated environment, which often needs several phases. As a result, bioremediation may greatly benefit from the use of synthetic microbial consortiums [1]. The created and improved synthetic microbial community can operate as a culture (seed culture) for ex situ remediation methods including biodegradation in smaller reactors and bio augmentation of in situ bioremediation practices. In order to prevent genetic contamination from environmental microorganisms, the use of designed microbial consortia is currently, to a large degree, restricted in carefully monitored bioprocesses. In this review, an overview of undefined naturally occurring microbial consortia and their application was discussed. We introduced the notion of synthetic microbial consortia, system biology, we discussed Importance of synthetic microbial consortia with relevant examples of how they add value to bio refineries. We did an overview of microbial consortia in biotechnological process, application of microbial consortia in bioremediation and biodegradation was further discussed.

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  • Implementing bacterial consortia for bioremediation at an industrial scale presents several challenges, particularly in maintaining stable microbial interactions, adapting to environmental variability, and addressing regulatory concerns.

    “Implementing bacterial consortia for bioremediation at an industrial scale presents several challenges, particularly in maintaining stable microbial interactions, adapting to environmental variability, and addressing regulatory concerns [4].”

    From Harnessing bacterial consortia for effective bioremediation: targeted removal of heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and persistent pollutants (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

    Sections III and VI describe difficulties controlling interactions and maintaining consortium stability; section 5.1 says bioremediation cultures must withstand complex environments. Section 3.1 mentions regulatory challenges for synthetic biology generally, but the paper does not specifically identify regulatory concerns or industrial-scale deployment as challenges for bacterial-consortium bioremediation. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Industrial sites often experience fluctuating conditions such as changes in temperature, pH, and contaminant concentrations, which can impact microbial performance.

    “Industrial sites often experience fluctuating conditions such as changes in temperature, pH, and contaminant concentrations, which can impact microbial performance [4,369,370,372].”

    From Harnessing bacterial consortia for effective bioremediation: targeted removal of heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and persistent pollutants (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

    Section V says microbial communities show resilience and resistance to environmental changes, and §5.1 says bioremediation cultures must withstand complex environments. The review does not establish that industrial sites often fluctuate in temperature, pH, and contaminant concentrations specifically. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The evolutionary stability of synthetic organisms remains uncertain; once released into the environment, these microbes may undergo mutations or genetic recombination, leading to unexpected traits that could confer survival advantages and make them invasive or harmful to existing ecosystems.

    “The evolutionary stability of synthetic organisms also remains uncertain.Once released into the environment, these microbes may undergo mutations or genetic recombination, leading to unexpected traits that could confer survival advantages and make them invasive or harmful to existing ecosystems [4,252].”

    From Harnessing bacterial consortia for effective bioremediation: targeted removal of heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and persistent pollutants (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

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Metadata

Authors
Adamu, K. S., Bichi, Y. H., Nasiru, A. Y., Babangida, A. M., Umar, M. M., Usman, G., & Muhammad, R.
Affiliations
  • Bayero University Kano (NG)
  • Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (NG)
  • Ahmadu Bello University (NG)
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science
Publisher
RSIS International
Published
2023
Volume
VIII
Issue
VII
Pages
232-241
ISSN
2454-6194 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.51584/ijrias.2023.8727
OpenAlex
W4386106222
Cited by
26
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 2
FWCI
1.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation
Keywords
synthetic microbial consortia, bioremediation, biodegradation, bioaugmentation, ex situ remediation, systems biology, biorefinery, environmental pollutants, seed culture, bioprocessing

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