Biotechnology for Toxicity Remediation and Environmental Sustainability

Environmental biotechnology is a rapidly expanding field that uses biotechnology to protect and restore the quality of the environment. It can be used to prevent, arrest, and reverse environmental degradation, such as ozone layer depletion, overpopulation, biodiversity loss, global warming, and natural resource depletion. Biotechnology applications include the removal of pollutants by absorption techniques, recycling wastewater into valuable by-products and biofuels, corrosion prevention, and the therapy and treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, anti-cancer, and pharmacological properties of thymoquinone and zinc nanoparticles. The book is a valuable resource for students, researchers, and policymakers involved in understanding and implementing applications of biotechnology for environmental toxic remediation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 283 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Environmental issues, such as ozone layer depletion, overpopulation, biodiversity loss, global warming, natural resource depletion, and more, have a profound impact on every organism on our planet. To address these challenges, environmental biotechnology offers a promising solution. By harnessing the power of microorganisms, environmental biotechnology applications can help protect and restore the quality of our environment. The ultimate goal is to utilize biotechnology in conjunction with other technologies and safety procedures to prevent, arrest, and reverse environmental degradation.

Environmental biotechnology is a rapidly expanding and highly practical scientific field. Through biochemistry, physiology, and genetic research of microorganisms, researchers can convert these findings into commercially available technologies that can reverse and prevent further deterioration of the Earth's environment. For instance, solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes can be altered through recycling or purification processes, resulting in by-products or end products that are less harmful to the environment.

One area of environmental biotechnology that is gaining significant attention is the removal of pollutants through absorption techniques and recycling wastewater into valuable by-products and biofuels. Microorganisms play a crucial role in these processes, as they can break down organic matter and convert it into useful compounds. For example, wastewater can be treated by bacteria that produce biofuels such as ethanol or methane, reducing the strain on freshwater resources and minimizing the impact of waste on the environment.

Another important application of environmental biotechnology is corrosion prevention. Green inhibitors, such as thymoquinone, can be used to protect metal surfaces from corrosion, thereby reducing the need for harmful chemicals. Electrochemical systems can also be employed to generate renewable energy from waste, utilizing the metabolic capabilities of microorganisms. Moreover, microbes can be used to recycle waste materials, such as plastic or paper, into new products, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or the ocean.

In recent years, food safety and security have become increasingly important concerns. Environmental biotechnology plays a vital role in addressing these issues by improving the safety and quality of food products. For instance, the food microbiome, the complex community of microorganisms that inhabit our food, can be studied to identify potential threats to food safety. By understanding the microbiome, researchers can develop new technologies and strategies to prevent foodborne illnesses and improve the overall quality of food products.

Furthermore, environmental biotechnology offers potential therapies and treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, anti-cancer agents, and other diseases. Thymoquinone, a natural compound found in black tea, has been shown to have anti-cancer properties, and zinc nanoparticles have been used to prevent stress-mediated apoptosis in epithelial cells. These discoveries hold great promise for improving human health and well-being.

In conclusion, environmental biotechnology is a powerful tool that can help protect and restore the quality of our environment. By utilizing the capabilities of microorganisms, we can prevent, arrest, and reverse environmental degradation. Through the application of biotechnology in areas such as wastewater treatment, corrosion prevention, food safety, and medical treatments, we can create a more sustainable and healthy future for ourselves and future generations.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032319230