Recent Advances in Microbial and Enzymatic Bioremediation and Biodegradation

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increase in emerging contaminants, industrial pollutants, and recalcitrant compounds in the environment poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. Sustainable and efficient remediation strategies are, therefore, essential to mitigate these impacts. Among the most promising approaches, microbial and enzymatic bioremediation have gained considerable attention due to their specificity, efficiency, and environmental compatibility. These biological processes are fundamentally linked to broader challenges, including water treatment, soil restoration, circular economy strategies, and green manufacturing.

Recent advances in microbiology, enzymology, materials science, and process engineering have enabled the development of innovative bioremediation systems. These include engineered microbial consortia, immobilized enzymes, hybrid bio–nano interfaces, and integrated bioelectrochemical systems. Such technologies operate across multiple scales, from molecular-level enzyme–substrate interactions to full-scale environmental and industrial applications. In particular, enzymatic processes—whether free or immobilized—offer unique advantages in catalytic efficiency, selectivity, and adaptability to complex environmental matrices.

Process engineering tools, including modeling, simulation, and optimization, play a crucial role in the design, scale-up, and implementation of these systems. These approaches allow for a deeper understanding of reaction mechanisms, mass and electron transfer phenomena, and system performance under realistic conditions. Moreover, the integration of microbial and enzymatic processes with advanced materials and reactor configurations is opening new frontiers in sustainable pollutant degradation.

This Topic aims to collate cutting-edge research contributions that highlight recent advances in microbial and enzymatic bioremediation and biodegradation. Submissions focusing on fundamental mechanisms, innovative technologies, and process development are particularly encouraged. Both experimental and theoretical studies are welcome, especially those that demonstrate practical relevance and scalability.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Microbial degradation of emerging contaminants and persistent pollutants;
• Enzymatic biocatalysis for environmental remediation;
• Immobilization of enzymes and cells on advanced materials;
• Mechanistic studies of biodegradation pathways;
• Process design, modeling, simulation, and optimization of bioremediation systems;
• Scale-up and industrial implementation of bioremediation technologies;
• Life cycle assessment and sustainability analysis of biodegradation processes;
• Omics approaches and metabolic engineering for enhanced biodegradation;
• Removal of pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors, and microplastics.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this Topic.

Prof. Dr. Alcione García-González
Prof. Dr. Nagamani Balagurusamy
Prof. Dr. Katy Juarez-Lopez
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Sciences applsci	2.9	6.1	2011	15 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	5.6	10.0	2000	17.5 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Metabolites metabolites	4.5	8.1	2011	12.6 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Microorganisms microorganisms	4.7	8.2	2013	16.5 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Molecules molecules	5.1	10.3	1996	15.6 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Processes processes	3.4	5.7	2013	14.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Standards standards	-	-	2021	28.5 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	4.1	8.9	2009	16.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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