Biodegradation of aromatic compounds by microalgae

The microbial degradation of aromatic pollutants has been well characterize d over a period of more than 30 years. The microbes of most interest have b een bacteria and fungi. Only relatively recently has the question of how al gae figure in the catabolism of these compounds attracted a degree of inter est. The aim of this review is to highlight the biodegradative capabilities of microalgae on aromatic compounds, ranging from simple monocyclic to mor e complex polycyclic pollutants. This paper will briefly encompass studies which have investigated the growth on and the oxidation of these compounds by algae, as well as a more derailed characterization of the catabolic sequ ences involved in the transformation of these compounds. (C) 1999 Federatio n of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.