Xenobiotic Pollution Degradation by Transgenic Methods

Xenobiotics are one of the imminent pollutants that are discharged into the environment through negligent human activities and frequently pose a hazard to the living system. Due to their toxic nature, protracted half-life, and slow rate of degradability, a sustainable and effective solution is necessary to combat their persistent nature. Classical cleanup technology is limited by its lack of acceptability by the public, expensive price tags, and incompatibility with the natural world. Degradation of xenobiotic substances can be achieved efficiently and effectively by biotransformation. Plants and microorganisms that have undergone genetic modification have shown improvement in the bioremediation techniques, ultimate productivity, and efficacy. Currently, transgenic approaches have gained limelight by presenting a range of strategies to counteract the harmful effects of xenobiotic pollutants. However, there might be risks associated with releasing genetically modified organisms into the atmosphere. This book chapter describes various approaches to genetically modifying plants and related microorganisms, taking into account the refinement of transgenic plants and microbes for improved remediation action. It also provides information on mitigating related environmental issues.