Microbial degradation of estrogens in environmental endocrine disruptors

Abstract:

Estrogen is an important class of environmental endocrine disruptors. Microbial degradation is considered as one of the most greenest, environmentally friendly, and economical methods to remove estrogens and remediate polluted environment. This paper analyzed the main sources and hazards of estrogens, reviewed the reported estrogen-degrading microorganisms, summarized the progress of genetic and genomics related to estrogen degradation, and described the estrogen degradation pathways and mechanisms. Finally, the microbial degradation of environmental estrogens was summarized, and future research directions of estrogen degradation was prospected.