Microbial degradation of xenobiotics like aromatic pollutants from the terrestrial environments

Abstract Industries are one of the major sources and contributors to the pollution of the environment. The industrial effluents and runoff water from the agriculture fields contain diverse organic and xenobiotic compounds. The usage of aromatics, plasticizers, and pesticides in day-to-day life in cosmetic products, edible fruits, vegetables, etc. are one of the major concerns because of their commercial usage and recognized as potential threats posed to human health and ecosystem. These compounds are toxic, and acts as endocrine disrupter, mutagen, and/or carcinogen. Bioremediation involves the use of microbes and is considered to be the most efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly process to remove/eliminate them. Microorganisms produce a battery of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of these pollutants into innocuous products, which can further be metabolized completely. This chapter focuses on the metabolic steps and enzymes involved in the degradation pathway of aromatic compounds that are used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and in day-to-day household products.